Understanding colour basics

Reds, yellows and oranges are warm colours, and remind us of things like the sun or fire. Warmer colours tend to draw attention and become a natural focal point.

Cool colours, such as blues, greens and purples are softer to the eye and can recede, creating a larger perception of space.

Tone is what we refer to when describing the lightness or darkness of a colour. Put simply, lighter tones have more white while darker tones have more black. Light tones are fresh and airy, and make a room appear larger, where dark tones create a lush, opulent space with distinct sophistication.

Hue is the colour group or collection recognisable to the eye, for example greens or blues. We can break hue down into three levels: primary (red, blue and yellow), secondary (mixes of two primary colours), or tertiary (combination of primary and secondary colours). Colour schemes can also include colours across different hue groups to help you achieve unique combinations.

Read more about creating a colour scheme here.

Chroma, or saturation, refers to the intensity of colour and how vivid it is. High-chroma colours are bright and bold, best used for feature walls or accents in smaller volumes to create a striking focal point that pops.

Have you ever noticed that your room looks and feels different at various times of the day? That’s because light — both natural and artificial — has a significant impact on the way colours are represented. Rooms that see lots of natural light work with whites, including cooler whites as well as neutral tones and warm and cool colours. However, if you are looking to add brightness to a darker room, explore warmer whites and neutrals or warm colours such as yellow and orange.

Read more about colour in the home here.