COLOUR IN INTERIOR DESIGN

Wikimedia Commons: Michael Maggs (2007)

Minimalists would have us think that there is only white and black (And of course, gray [grey in England] as well). However, nature and life is quite colourful. Scientific experiments have shown that certain colours may make us feel aggressive while others relaxed. Next time you visit a hospital, pay attention to the prevailing colour schemes, even visit the children's ward if possible.

The primary colours are seven (7): Red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue and violet (purple). Furthermore, colours can work together in an additive or subtractive manner.  For example, combining red, blue and green, we produce "white". While combining cyan, magenta and yellow, we produce "black".

Professor Albert H. Munsell in the early 20^th century, developed the Munsell Color System. Munsell systematized the study of colour, such that specifying a certain colour required the listing of three numbers: Its hue, value (lightness) and chroma (purity, related to saturation), in that order.

Also, dealing with colour, we talk about perception, colour interaction, and a host of other issues. Paint colours should be sampled on individual paint boards (you may carry to the stores) rather than on a wall. For the reason that painting different colours on the wall, weird things happen, due to a phenomenon termed “colour interaction”. Which means, you’ll never be able to perceive a colour correctly. We need to emphasize that a colour sample should be ideally viewed under northern light, which renders it in a neutral fashion. 

Keep in mind that a percentage of all people are indeed colour-blind, which affects their perception of colours. There are varying degrees of colour blindness (or colour vision deficiency), all the way to achromatopsia (People see in shades of grey). This deficiency is believed to affect up to 8% of all males, or 0.5% of all females, of Northern European descent. (1) It should be obvious that we should determine discretely whether our client is colour blind, before presenting him/her various colour studies or paint boards.  

When designing a particular space, do we wish to take a two colour scheme approach, a three colour scheme, or are we going to advocate polychromy (Many colours)? The answer lies within the design concept and the clients wishes.

Colour can make a space appear larger or smaller. Most of us probably have heard that lower ceilings preferably should be painted white. Colour does spice up a space, however, it requires the orchestration of a professional designer; or it can lead to confusion, sensory overload or imbalance. Or, even kitsch.

It should be obvious that the physics and the psychology of colour is more complex than the limits of this article. However, keep in mind that colour in interior design can make or break a composition; colour is of the essence.

Notes:

(1). “Fact About Color Blindness”, National Eye Institute (NEI). Available at:

https://nei.nih.gov/health/color_blindness/facts_about (Accessed: 4 March 2018).

Wikimedia Commons: Munsell Color Wheel (2008)

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