State-of-the-art tinting systems and colour matching technology has made the choice of colour in today’s decorative industry endless. Thousands of colours are available in a comprehensive range of products and finishes.
Choosing colour schemes for commercial properties such as schools, hospitals and offices demands a very different approach than when choosing colours for your home. But following some simple rules and ensuring you consider a number of key factors will help you to create the ideal colour solution.
Create a Balanced Scheme
The colour wheel shows which colours combine well, whether they are tonal, contrasting or harmonious colours.
Below is a traditional version of the colour wheel and a pastel version which illustrates colour combinations using lighter hues.
Balanced Colour Schemes
Tonal colour schemes are created using different tones of the same colour. | |  |
Contrasting colours sit opposite each other on the colour wheel. | |  |
Harmonious colour schemes can be created using colours adjacent to each other on the colour wheel. | |  |
Key Considerations
When formulating a colour scheme, there are a number of things that should be considered before making a final decision.
• What colour is the room now?
• Is a new scheme required or the existing scheme to be refreshed?
• Is a warm or cool scheme required?
• How will existing furnishings fi t in?
• How will people react to the colour?
• Should certain colours be avoided?
• Does the room face north, south, east or west?
• Does the scheme need to aid partially sighted people?
