fbpx
Sophie Robinson
  • Home
  • Workshops
    • Marrakech Retreat
    • Ban the beige
    • Masterclasses
  • Online Courses
  • Collaboration
  • Podcasts
  • Blog
  • About
    • About me
    • Work with me
    • Press
  • FAQs
  • Contact
  • Interior Design
  • Interiors
03 Sep 19

How to create a colour scheme

Find out more about colour combining and know what paint to to use where in a scheme. Find out more with Sophie Robinson as she looks at using the colour wheel as a guide. #colourwheel #colourcombining #sophierobinson

Picking the perfect colour scheme to daub on your walls can be a very daunting decision, and ‘what colour should I paint my walls?!’ is something I get asked alot!  I think it’s possibly one of the reasons people go for the oh-so-obvious beige tones. If you are a neutral type of soul then there’s nothing wrong with that, but if you have an inkling that you’re a colour lover- its time to get empowered!

When it comes to pulling together a colour scheme you need to get a feeling for what goes with what and create a palette of colours that sit together pleasingly. Rule number one is you can’t pick a wall colour in isolation, you need to think about what other colours you will combine with it too. Myself, as well as many designers do this instinctively but for some it can feel like you just don’t now where to start. It’s sometimes a good idea for all of us to go back to the basics and look at a tried and tested way to combine colour and consider the effects of these combinations. The colour wheel is a fail-safe way of working out what works with what- anyone who works with colour; interior designers, artists and architects have all learned the theory in order to create colour palettes.

The classic colour wheel is made up of 12 hues- one half features the cool colours (lilacs, blues, greens) and the other the warm hues (reds, oranges, yellows). You’ve then got your Primary, secondary and tertiary colours as you work away from the primary- you keeping up?!

 

 

In the modern colour wheel, you begin with red, blue and yellow as they are what all colours derive from. The secondary colours are then made by mixing two of the primaries together…remember doing this in primary school! Tertiary colours are then made by mixing a primary with a secondary to give us lime green, turquoise, magenta, peach, deep purple and so much more. There are boundless tints, shades and tones wheeled out, by mixing different combinations, all called tertiary colours. We are very lucky that our paint manufactures know all this stuff, which is why we have such a mind-boggling choice on offer!

A monochromatic scheme of varying shades of a warm teal blue which uses accents of natural wood and texture to add interest. Image by Overstock

So all the technical bit aside, you probably just want to know what looks good with what!

Monochromatic style

When you hear the term monochrome you probably instinctively think black and white.  But that’s not the case, you can easily pull a monochromatic colour scheme together, using different tones and tints of your chosen colour that will sit harmoniously. This is what will keep it interesting. Plus, it makes using bold or contrasting patterns very simple to incorporate- as you just match them by colour. You can add interest by being creative with varying textures and choose a colour that will then work with different shades and tones. Take a look at a strip of Dulux or Crown paint chart- to see how it works. To be truly monochromatic, everything should be in your chosen hue- but I think it’s totally fine to mix neutrals like white, grey, metal and wood into the mix. You don’t need to look like you live in the emerald city!

 

Harmonious colours

The jewel-like tones in blue and green are a complimentary colour palette. While still strong the effect isn’t so high contrast and striking and suits an elegant scheme – and who could resist a velvet button-back sofa like the Oscar from Sofa.com

Choose two or more colours that sit side by side on the colour wheel and you get what’s called an Analogous colour scheme (you learn something new every day- not your everyday conversation starter), or more commonly known as harmonious colour scheme. What you need to know is that this is where all the colours are from the same family so to speak.  So sit red next to orange, blue next to violet or yellow with green. One old saying I don’t think washes is – ‘blue and green should never be seen’ – I think they look fab together, don’t you agree? They are colour wheel neighbours after all. The effect of harmonious colours is cohesive and elegant and therefore often calm. Nothing jars or pops out. However if this was me designing the above scheme, I couldn’t resist adding a little fuchsia pink vase of flowers just to give the room a little ‘pop’. So while these are rules, don’t be afraid to be creative and playful too.

The mix of bright and bold colours isn’t too over powering due to the limited use of harmonoius colours. The cool neutral white paint stops the warm colours from feeling too ‘hot’. The signature rug by Carpetright adds a cohesive focal point where all the colours come together.

Contrasting colours

They often say opposites attract and it couldn’t be more true when we’re talking about contrasting colour schemes- but like any winning relationship just make sure they complement each other. The contrast of the colours positioned opposite one another on the colour wheel make for interesting and arresting combinations. I also think it works well when you mix warm and cool shades together as they can balance each other out. For example I love the way the orange tones in real wood warms up an otherwise chilly blue scheme or fresh green cuts through a over bearing red scheme. But the really important thing to know here is your complimentary colours create dynamic colour schemes! They certainly create an impact and demand attention. This is why I love using them, but they are rarely relaxing!

A striking inky blue and orange scheme is what we call a contrasting colour palette. The added white acts as a neutral to balance the strong colour contrast. I love the bold geometric floor in contrasting balack and white that gives this room extra ‘wow’. Image by Annie Sloan

So there we have it- the colour wheel in a brief nutshell. Personally, I don’t tend to use it when I design a room scheme as I generally like to go with my gut- and I’m sure that’s how a lot of designers work. So I’d advise that your next step would be to have some fun and play around with a mood board and some paint chips. Interior design shouldn’t be painting by numbers and following rules – it’s all about how the colours make you feel and you’ll soon get the feeling when something looks amazing- so have a go…it’s only paint!!

A riot of contrasting colours creates a fun and eye-catching scheme. Image by Homes & Gardens

Don’t forget there are digital visualisers available too such as the Dulux one where you upload a photo of your room and just have a play with different colours to help you ‘visualise’ how the room will look.

Check out my video here, where I share my secret to picking the perfect paint colour.

Featured image at top: Sanderson

Image research and editing by Luisa Ferdenzi-Rouse

  • Interior Design
  • Interiors
New interior book reviews, Maximalism vs. Minimalism, Podcast show notes, S4 Ep5 Boilers get a modern makeover with Worcester Bosch

Leave a Comment

Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published.

  • Interiors
    • colour crush
    • colour psychology
    • DIY
    • dream home makeovers
    • Home Tours
    • Interior Design
    • Interior Styling
    • podcast
    • trends
  • Lifestyle
    • Business
    • Fashion/Beauty
    • Life
    • My House
    • Nosh
    • Travel
  • Rooms
    • Bathrooms
    • Bedrooms
    • Kids rooms
    • Kitchens
    • Living rooms
    • Outside
  • Videos

mailing
list

Videos

Listen

Listen Here

Online courses
by popular demand

Catch Sophie In All Her Colourful Glory On Instagram

Ah @the_rhs Chelsea! What a feast for the eyes! In Ah @the_rhs Chelsea! What a feast for the eyes! Inbetween biblical downpours, thunder and lightning, it was a wonderful day of colour, design and chatter with some wonderful women! I’m slowly falling in love with gardening and my phone roll is full of inspiration after being immersed in natures finest. Thanks @michelleogundehin and @hazelgardinerdesign @thesohoagencyuk for the company. And a big congratulations Hazel on this stunning floral installation. And don’t forget if you want to hang out and be inspired by all things colour then my FREE live webinar is on tonight (25th) at 7pm tonight! Hop on to my profile for the link to sign up. Cannot wait to share some inspirational colour filled time with you all 

#rhschelsea
This is the first room we decorated after our reno This is the first room we decorated after our renovations. The entrance to your home creates the first impression. It’s also the room you walk into first thing in the morning and when you return home at the end of a long day. It needs to create the right welcome and what that feels like is hugely personal. For me I chose my favourite colours, this powerful cobalt  blue has always been a colour I’m drawn to. My wardrobe is full of it. And the bright pink is another one that always makes me instantly happy. Together they are a striking combination and I think anyone who walks through my front door, immediately gets a sense of what I’m about. I’m passionate about creating interiors that authentically  reflect the people who live there. Studying the psychology of colour made it so much easier for me, giving me a deeper understanding on the affects of colour and streamlining my process. If you’d like to know how to unlock your colour super power, join me for a free webinar this Wednesday evening (available to up for 48 hours after). It an introduction into colour psychology for interiors and my hope is it inspires you to have the courage and conviction to know what’s right for you.  And for a deeper dive my online course Colour Psychology for interiors has opened for enrolment. All links to sign up are in my bio on my profile @sophierobinsoninteriors 
What does your hallway say about you? 
📷 @aluncallenderphoto 
CREDITS walls in lazuli by @zoffanyfw stair runner @roger_oates floor tiles @claybrookstudio door painted in rose ash @sanderson1860 

#colourpsychology #colourpsychologyforinteriors #banthebiege #punchyhome #hallway #boldcolourinteriors #colourlover
My kitchen, the heart of my home. The smallest, da My kitchen, the heart of my home. The smallest, darkest room in the house with no view, but that’s old houses for you! You’ll often find the kitchen in the worst place. So to amp up the joy I chose a forest green (hunters green by @zoffanyfw) for the cabinets to mirror the woodland outside. We sourced reclaimed school science lab work tops and I wrapped the room in one of my favourite papers, Rubarber by @borastapeter. Tom put in retro fit underfloor heating and we used reclaimed terracotta tiles from @ca_pietra_  so the floor looks as old as the house but feels so warm! . For the ugliest darkest room in the house it’s become our favourite because of the colours, patterns and rustic textures.that’s the power of great interior design! 
Next up in my series of posts about the psychology of colour is the Autumn personality. You’ll have a love of rich deep warm Colours, natural finishes, nature inspired patterns and period features. The autumn palette is warm, earthy abs rich and perfect for making spaces feel cosy and inviting. 
To learn more about the autumn personality, hop on up to my bio and click the link to be taken to the blog. And you can sign up to my FREE webinar I’m hosting next Wednesday if you’d like to learn more about this powerful framework. 
Meanwhile have a gorgeous weekend! 
📷 @aluncallenderphoto Styling @katemcphee 

#colourpsychology #banthebeige #autumnpersonality #colourpsychologyforinteriors #kitchen #greenkitchen #countryhomesandinteriors #countrykitchen #ihavethisthingwithcolor #myeclectichome #maximalistdecor
Come and join my FREE webinar on Colour Psychology Come and join my FREE webinar on Colour Psychology next Wednesday 25th at 7pm GMT 🤩 hop on up to the link in my bio @sophierobinsoninteriors to register.
My brilliant online course, Colour Psychology for Interiors, is open for enrolment this month, so if you fancy finding out a bit more about this utterly game changing framework I’d love to have you join. It’s SO MUCH more than ‘ red is energising’, ‘blue is calming’ stuff you’ve all heard before. This is a deep dive into discovering how colours work, how to harmonise them and discovering your own unique and authentic style. Only then can you create a home you live and one that supports you emotionally. I LOVE teaching this stuff because the feedback I get from students is mind blowing! Don’t take my word for it, sign up for the free webinar today! 😍 and if you’ve already done my course, please share in the comments below what you loved about it. 

#colourfulhome #colourpsychology #colourpsychologyforinteriors #banthebeige #colourlover #confidentcolour #confidentcolourscheming
Have you found your design mojo? Do you gravitate Have you found your design mojo? Do you gravitate towards a style of interiors that just feels so ‘you’. Making a home is so much more than creating beautiful squares for Instagram. It has to FEEL right and this is where the psychology of colour comes in. Colour is light, it has an energy which directly impacts your brain and emotions. And we all have a unique relationship to it. So rather than follow the crowd, be swayed by trends it’s so important to understand your own authentic relationship with colour. Over on the blog today I’m starting a series of posts all about the seasonal colour personalities. First up is spring which is all the joy, uplift and energy. My bathroom, pictured above, is very ‘spring’ with light reflecting walls, energetic patterns and bright colours. The mood  is uplifting, fresh and feel-good. Hop on up to my link in my profile to read the blog post in full and discover if you are a Spring personality and how to create rooms that reflect this joyful mood. 
Tap for credits
📷 @aluncallenderphoto 

#colourpsychology #colourpsychologyforinteriors #banthebeige #colourfulhome #colourlover #ihavethisthingwithcolor #spring #springbpersonality #colourfuldecorchallenge #homedecor #myeclecticmix #bathroom #bathroominspo
So proud of mr best mate @sophieabbottartist who o So proud of mr best mate @sophieabbottartist who opens her house this weekend to showcase her artwork in her home as part of Brightons artists open houses. She’s always been a creative whirlwind and keeps the joy of colour alive in her paintings inspired by the sea, and the local woodlands that surround her home in Brighton. For Sophie, colour gives her life, she’s the ultimate joy monger and I’m so blessed to have her as my side kick in life. If you get a chance today, pop round to heed for a bolt if the feel good vibes

#artistopenhouses #brighton #colourlover #banthebiege #ihavethisthingwithcolour
When you find the palette of colours you love, you When you find the palette of colours you love, you just wantto surround yourself  in every part of your home! This painting by @studiocoverdale really hits the mark for me, with all my favourites on one place. Today I’m opening my most popular online course, ‘Colour Psychology for a interiors’, ready  for your enrolment. This is my most popular and indeed  powerful course. It gets to the core of how colours work in harmony , how they effect you emotionally and how to bring all the design and pattern  elements together to make your home and your heart sing! I’m a Spring personality, and with that I adore all the busy patterns, bright and vibrational colours, plenty of pretty details and preferably all at once! While typical spring personalities prefer a more delicate and soft colour palette, my secondary season is Autumn, which prefers richer and punchier shades. Combined together my home is unique and perfect for me. I honestly rarely want to leave the house! And while this framework is an amazing tool for interior design, it’ll also give you colour confidence in every area of your life including your wardrobe. I can’t recommend it enough. When I started implementing this framework  in my own design practice six years ago it was absolutely game changing! While I’ve  always been confident with bold colour, this insight gave me the clarity to speed up my design process and get it right every time! Hop on over to the link in my bio to find out more. 
📷 @aluncallenderphoto 
#colourpsycholgy #colourlover #banthebiege #colourfulhome #colourmyhome #maximalistinteriors #boldbravebeautifulinteriors #dopaminedressing #dopaminedecor
The power of paint! I’ve been extolling it’s v The power of paint! I’ve been extolling it’s virtues my entire career. Roll a bold new hue on your walls and voila! Game changer. But on our recent podcast @mad_about_the_house explored the wider impact of paint on the environment. An astonishing 50 million litres makes it into landfill each year so it feels like, as serial decorators, we could all club together and do our bit to bring that figure down. 
It’s a minefield but over on my blog today I sum up my tips on how we can easily use less of it and round up the paint brands who are doing their bit to tackle the issues. From the ingredients in the tin, to recycling waste paint, to using pouches rather than tins, there is plenty of innovative ideas. Choosing natural paint feels like a good option and if you’re hooked on designer paint colours, it’s no more expensive. Last year I painted my bedroom Turquoise by @edwardbulmerpaint and I’m thrilled with the colour, quality and durability. Just goes to show lovely paint doesn’t have to cost the earth. Hop onto the link in my profile for the full post and if you know if a paint brand who are tackling the environmental issues raised, please give them a mention in the comments below.

#ecopaint #ecodecor #ecohome #paint #turquoise #bedroom #podcast #banthebiege #colourfulhome #colourlover #itsonlypaint #interiordecorating #interiordesign #colourscheme
Load More… Follow on Instagram
Sophie Robinson
  • © 2017 Sophie Robinson

    /
  • Contact/
  • About/
  • Design by MW

Don't forget to join!

You're almost inside!

Leave me your best email to sign up for the Webinar