Using accent color’s in your home can be tricky. Here are some tips on which colors to use and how to choose them.
Using the Color Wheel
Primary Colors:
Red, Yellow, and Blue
Secondary Colors:
Orange, Green, and Purple
Complementary Colors:
Colors that are opposite of each other on the color wheel (e.g. blue and orange).
Monochromatic Colors:
A color that is extended using different shades, tones, and tints of the original color.
Complementary Accent Colors
When choosing which accent colors you want to use in your home, start by looking at the color wheel. Choosing opposing colors. For example, if your couch is blue, use a shade of yellow for accent accessories or pillows. To make this look more low-key, make sure one of the colors you choose is a pale color (i.e. the pale blue couch pictured above).
Monochromatic Colors
Another option for decorating with accent colors is using colors that are within the same color scheme, or that are considered monochromatic. For example, the picture above uses different shades of blues and greens as the accent colors. This method is easier to decorate with since colors do not have to be exact.
Additional Resources:
A free helpful tool that can be used to plan accent colors in your home is Paletton Color Scheme Designer. When you visit this page, monochromatic is automatically set when you choose your color scheme. To view complementary colors, select the “add complementary” toggle bar at the top middle of the page.