How to combine colors in interior decoration? Practical guide

Would you like your home to reflect your style, but are overwhelmed by the choice of colors and how to combine them? Chromatic harmony is the key to creating spaces that are not only visually appealing, but also convey a specific personality.

Although in this post we are going to learn how to combine colors in the most effective and stylish way possible, we will always recommend that you turn to architecture and interior design studios, such as Studio by Clikalia, to advise you in the best possible way.

Either way, how to combine colors in interior decoration is within your reach if you know some basic rules and infallible tools. Goodbye to boring and monochromatic homes, it's time to give life to your walls and textiles!

The chromatic circle: Your best ally

To understand how to combine colors in interior decoration, it is essential to become familiar with the chromatic circle. This graphic representation is an essential tool that organizes colors logically and helps you identify their relationships.

The pillars of color: Primaries, secondaries and tertiaries

The chromatic circle is divided into three main categories:

• Primary colors: They are the basis of everything. Blue, yellow and red are fundamental colors that cannot be obtained by mixing others, but from them countless new shades can be created.
• Secondary colors: They are born from the combination of two primary colors. For example, the mixture of blue and yellow results in green; yellow and red form orange; and red with blue creates violet. In the circle, they are placed between the two primary colors that compose them.
• Tertiary colors: They are formed by combining a primary color with a secondary color. Examples include yellow-green (green and yellow), ochre (yellow and orange) or vermilion (orange and red). These are located between the primary and secondary color from which they originate.

It is important to remember that black and white do not appear in the color wheel. However, they are used to modulate the intensity of colors: adding white creates lighter and brighter tones, while black produces darker tones.

Color temperature: warm vs. cold

The chromatic circle also allows you to differentiate between warm and cool colors.

• Warm colors (such as reds, oranges and yellows) are at the top of the circle and are characterized by their dynamism and ability to create cozy atmospheres.
• Cool colors (such as blues, greens and violets) are placed at the bottom and convey tranquility, as well as being ideal for cooling areas with a lot of sunlight.

Infallible mixtures to combine colors in interior decoration

Once you understand the chromatic circle, you can apply various combination techniques to achieve professional results.

Monochromatic harmony: As simple as it is elegant

This is the simplest and safest technique to create a relaxing and harmonious space. It consists of using different shades of the same base color. To apply it, choose your main color, preferably the darkest shade, and then select lighter and brighter shades of the same color, which you will find as you approach the center of the chromatic circle.

For example, you can paint a wall in a deep blue tone and complement it with a duvet cover one or two shades lighter, adding decorative accessories such as rugs, curtains or blankets in even softer tones. To avoid monotony, play with the textures of the materials, which will bring sophistication and visual richness to the environment. It is an ideal choice for bedrooms and rest areas.

Analogous Harmony: Coherence and dynamism

This technique involves selecting colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. You can choose two or even three consecutive colors for this combination. Although it is a bit more sophisticated than monochromatic, the result is a harmonious blend without stridency, as these colors do not contrast strongly with each other.

For a contemporary effect, experiment with different shades (level of brightness) of the chosen colors. An ochre blanket combined with orange and vermilion cushions in lighter tones is a good example. Another option could be a mix of turquoise blue, green and touches of yellow for a sophisticated living room. It is crucial that one of the colors acts as dominant, while the other two function as complements.

Contrasting (or complementary) harmony: Sophisticated audacity

This strategy is based on the use of opposite colors in the chromatic circle, also known as complementary colors. It is a bold bet that allows creating refined and dynamic decorations, since the color stands out even more next to its opposite.

To avoid eyestrain, it is best not to seek a perfect balance between the two colors. Instead, select one dominant color and use the opposite color only in small touches or accents. A light leather sofa that pops against a blue wall is a clear example. Other striking combinations include brick red and green, or yellow and blue. It's a great choice for spaces you want to bring a lot of life to, such as children's rooms.

Moderate combination: Other type of balance

The moderate combination is a variant of the contrasting one that seeks to soften the opposition. Instead of choosing a color and its direct opposite, a color and the two colors on either side of its complementary are selected. The result is a balanced mix, especially if the predominance of one color over the others is respected, for example, by applying the lighter shade on large surfaces and the more intense tones on complements.

Practical tips beyond the chromatic circle

Mastering color harmonies gives you a solid foundation, but there are other practical tips that will help you perfect how to combine colors in interior decorating.

The 60/30/10 rule: Perfect proportions

This is a fundamental lesson to succeed in the decoration of any room. It consists of using three colors in specific proportions:

• The dominant or main color should color 60% of the space.
• A secondary color will occupy 30% of the room.
• A third color will be used only in 10%, as an accent.

Although many experts recommend a maximum of three colors in interior decoration (four if one is neutral), it is not always necessary to use all three. Even with two colors, you can achieve perfect results if you play with textures and materials that add richness to the space.

The Power of Neutral Colors: Base and Versatility

Neutral tones (white, beige, gray) are the perfect base for any decorative style. They always fit well together and create flat, calm and relaxing atmospheres. They are an ideal "closet background" to introduce touches of color without saturating the environment. The beauty of a neutral base is that it allows you to easily change the look of a room by simply modifying a few colorful decorative elements. For example, a white and blue-gray living room can be very dynamic if you add elements such as wood, glass, and different fabrics.

Consider space and light

Before choosing your shades, analyze the space. Look at the amount of natural light it receives throughout the day and whether it is naturally warm or cool. Also think about what the room will be used for: a bedroom requires a more relaxing atmosphere than a living room. Even if you like a dark color, if the room is not very bright, you can use it to a lesser extent, giving prominence to lighter tones. Cool colors are more refreshing and relaxing, while warm colors warm up the atmosphere, but can be more exciting. For example, red, being vibrant, should be used sparingly in bedrooms if you are looking for relaxation.

Create visual effects with color

Color is a powerful tool to modify the perception of a space. You can use it to:

• Delimit zones: A different color on a wall or in decorative elements can help to differentiate areas.
• Camouflage elements: Painting a column the same color as the wall visually integrates it.
• Alter the shape: Painting the back wall of a rectangular room a deep color visually shortens it. Horizontal stripes can widen a space, and a dark ceiling can bring it closer and add warmth.

Textures and patterns: The perfect complements

Remember that decoration is not only about pure color. The textures of the materials in furniture, accessories and textiles greatly enrich the environment. If some color combinations seem risky to you, try incorporating prints containing those colors. When neutral tones are present in the prints, color mixtures tend to soften and relax, facilitating harmony.

In short, learning how to combine colors in interior decoration is like conducting an orchestra. Each color is an instrument, and by knowing the rules of harmony, you can make them sound together in perfect harmony, creating a unique visual melody in every corner of your home.

Remember that if you are seriously considering an integral reform and are looking for a study that not only reform, but also takes into account the interior design and how to combine colors so that everything transmits a unique feeling and your personality, in Studio by Clikalia you have a team of architects and interior designers who focus on all these details.

If you liked this guide, we encourage you to enter our blog and discover the rest of them. We have from price guides, to technical guides. Do you want to know how much a house renovation costs? In the blog you will find it. Would you like to know until what time you can do works in Madrid? No problem, in the blog you will find it. We are waiting for you!