When planning a room refresh or a home renovation, we normally fall in love with one colour in particular and struggle to introduce other tones. We explain how understanding the science will allow you to combine colours with confidence.

An abstract illustration of colour hues, called the colour wheel has been used by interior designers for centuries but now it’s your chance to use it to your full advantage. Whether a new purchase has inspired you to decorate or you are drawn to certain colour due to its popularity, use the handy colour wheel to see how it can be complemented.

For best results choose one of the following schemes:

Tonal

Select a colour and then use lighter or darker shades to vary the tone and add depth. This can create a perfectly coordinated scheme. Just remember to add some neutral shades too such as a white ceiling and a wooden floor to break it up.

Harmonious

Pick colours that sit next or near to each other in the colour wheel. This can often create a look that is pleasing to the eye. For example green, yellow-green and yellow will work equally happily together in a room. Using harmonious colours create a relaxing and tranquil mood.

Complementary 

Complementary colours are directly opposite of each other on the colour wheel. You can create stand-out, colour combinations to create a unique look. Nature provides some beautiful examples such as golden sand against the blue sea or a red rose with green foliage.

Don’t forget that you aren’t confined to using colour by just paint, experiment with fabrics and patterns too like those showcased in the bright and contemporary iLiv Fjord collection.

More colour tips

  • Pink rooms have been known to slow pulses and calm people down – it’s even used in social areas in prisons.

  • Orange is said to stimulate appetite so dieters stick to green or blue rooms where possible.

  • Using a neutral colour with a pink undertone can soften dark wooden furniture.

  • Yellow is hard to get right, a good rule of thumb is to select the yellow you want and then lighten it or tone down by two shades before you buy.