What Are Accent Colors and How Do You Use Them?
Use accent colors to create focal points and add interest to your interior design. Accents are secondary colors that are different than the base or background colors.
Using accent colors requires an eye for balance, proportion, and color theory.
How to Identify Accent Colors
Understanding the Color Wheel and Color Theory
The color wheel is a visual representation of all colors organized in a circular format. It’s made of primary, secondary, and tertiary colors. Using color theory to understand the relationship between colors is key to choosing the right accent colors.
Identifying Complementary Colors
Complementary colors sit opposite each other on the color wheel. Find the primary color in your scheme and select its complementary color as an accent. For instance, if the primary color is blue, its complementary accent color would be orange.
Exploring Analogous Color Schemes
Creating an analogous color scheme entails choosing colors next to each other on the color wheel. When you find your main color on the color wheel, locate its neighbors and use those for accents. For instance, blue-green and yellow-green are analogous accent colors for a green base.
Using Online Color Palette Generators and Tools
Online color palette generators can help you experiment with color schemes. These tools offer a convenient way to find complementary accent colors and generate harmonious palettes.
For example, if you know you want beige walls with blue accents, you can select those colors, and the palette generator will show you various shades and other coordinating colors to pick from.
Considering the Mood and Purpose of the Space
The atmosphere you wish to create should guide your accent color choices. Cooler tones, such as blue and green, tend to evoke a sense of calmness and tranquility. Warmer tones, such as reds and yellows, add energy and warmth to a space.
Popular Accent Color Combinations
Classic Combinations
- Black and White: The intense contrast between black and white creates a bold and timeless look. The accent color combination suits various design styles, from modern to traditional. It also adds a dramatic touch when paired with earthy tones like warm browns or rustic oranges.
- Red and Gold: Red is a vibrant color that pairs well with gold, adding a touch of glamor. The combination can be incorporated into accents like throw pillows or artwork.
Harmonious Combinations
Choosing colors adjacent to each other on the color wheel creates cohesive color combinations.
- Blue and Green: Pairing blue with green evokes a calming atmosphere. You can use blue as a base color and green as an accent or vice versa.
- Purple and Pink: Soft shades of purple and pink accent each other, which is why they’re a popular color combination.
High-Contrast Combinations
Designers use high-contrast accent color combinations to create a bold, dynamic look.
- Black and Yellow: Black and yellow, when used in small accents or accessories, bring energy and vibrancy into a space.
- Navy and Orange: Creates an energetic contrast.
Subtle Combinations
Subtle accent color combinations involve using colors within the same family.
- Gray and Pastel Shades: Gray is a versatile neutral that pairs with almost every color. Pastel green, blue, and soft pink create a calming effect when gray is the base color.
- Beige and Cream: Beige and cream are neutral tones ideal for earthy, rustic, and coastal themes.
Principles of Accent Colors
- Balance and proportion: It’s worth striking a balance between the primary colors and the accent hues. Consider the visual weight of each color to ensure it’s proportional throughout the space.
- Harmony and coherence: The accent colors should complement and enhance the existing color palette. Pick accent colors that harmonize with the primary colors’ hue, saturation, and intensity.
- Contrast and emphasis: Pick accent colors that create a noticeable contrast against primary colors. Differences in hue, value, or saturation help achieve the proper contrast.
- Consistency and repetition: Consistency in design elements, such as furnishings, accessories, and artwork, ties the design together. Repetition enhances the visual impact of the accent colors, creating a cohesive aesthetic.
Tips for Using Accent Colors in Your Home
Start Small With Accessories and Accents
Introduce bold accent colors through smaller accessories like rugs, pillows, and artwork to see how they look in your space.
Experiment With Different Shades and Intensities
Light shades of an accent color often make a space feel airy and fresh, while darker shades add depth and drama.
Consider the Color Temperature
Color temperature refers to the warmness or coolness of a color. Warm colors, such as oranges, reds, and yellows, add warmth to a space. Cool colors, such as greens, purples, and blues, add calmness.