Monday, April 9, 2007

color in interior space

In the last post I had talked about the basic theory of colors. Now I will discus about how this classification of color helps in creating beautiful interior spaces. There are some basic thumb rules which one should fallow while selecting color for any interior space. With this thumb rules you will never go wrong with the color scheme in the interior space.

When we say interior space it does not only mean the architectural elements like walls, roofs, openings, flooring etc. But it also includes every small little thing which is a part of that space, it may be for ex. Crockery in the kitchen or may it be microwave. So when we decide color for any interior space it includes every small thing in it.

Thumb rules for colors in interior space:

Use light colors for smaller spaces. Light color makes the smaller space looks bigger than its actual size.

Use dark color for bigger spaces. Dark color makes the bigger space looks smaller than its actual size.

black color furniture , red and black furnishings and medial tone sab green color wall makes the space look bit smaller than its actual size.

In passage which is generally the main circulation area of residential space, as far as possible try to use lighter shades. Lighter shades will make the circulation easier during the night too.


To show the continuity of space from one space to another always use same color for ceiling, walls and flooring. This is generally fallow to show the over all space interior space look bigger than its actual size. Using different color make the whole space in fragment form, which gives the space smaller look.

In the side image we see the beautiful continuity of space is created by using the same off white color in the passage, flooring, ceiling and furniture of one space to another by making the space looks bigger than its actual size.

To brake the continuity from one room to another (may be when privacy is concern) use different color in the connecting areas. These will restrict the eye moment which in terms helps in keeping the privacy of the other space.

Harmony in the interior can beautifully be created by selecting colors from same family but with different hue quality. For ex. Like architectural members can be light in shades and furnishings can be in darker one from the same family. It may be cool or warm color family.














interesting harmony is created in both the children's room by using contrast color scheme of orange and violet on the left image and cool color scheme on the right image.

Dark colors in smaller spaces can also be use, without compromising on the over all look it will give after coloring. Just take the note that dark shade should not concentrate only in one area of the space but it should balance the complete space. For ex. In smaller spaces darker shades can be introduce in the form of paintings, furnishings etc.
















with aqua blue seating arrangement on the left and red on the right the small size living is not getting affected by the dark color furnishings.

Avoid texture paints with different color of impression in the smaller area. It makes the space looks smaller. You can go with texture paints with same color embossing or impressions.


yellow texture paint of the bed room wall going with the warm color scheme of the space does not affecting the size of the space.

If you want to change your interior more frequently try to keep your flooring, ceiling and wall colors in lighter shades and can play with different hues for furnishings. It will help in easy make over of your space in less budget.

Colors also add heat in the interior space. Results in increasing the interior temperature. So while selecting any color for your interior take note of the exterior temperature of your area. For selecting any darker hue for any of the exterior wall of the interior space, or wall opposite to the big opening of the interior space, it will be advisable that the wall should face the north direction or any but not the south direction.

Avoid darker shades in the false ceiling and ceilings where there is no floor above the space which need to be color. It will add heat to the interior space.

Use contrast color scheme to create dramatic effect in the interior spaces. Like green and red or violet and orange. Such scheme need great attention for balancing the every color added in the space.
contrast color scheme is created in the bed room with bottle green and occur color.... giving a dramatic look to the bed room.


Don’t use dark shades in the study room it strains eyes in a short period of time.

Avoid use of violet or blue shades of color in dining area. It effect on appetite of the person. As we don’t have appetite response to blue. Blue food is a rare occurrence in nature. There are no leafy blue vegetables (blue lettuce?), no blue meats (blue burger, well-done please), and aside from blueberries and a few blue-purple potatoes from remote spots on the globe, blue just doesn't exist in any significant quantity as a natural food color. Consequently, we don't have an automatic appetite response to blue. Furthermore, our primal nature avoids food that is poisonous. A million years ago, when our earliest ancestors were foraging for food, blue, purple and black were "color warning signs" of potentially lethal food.

Black and white is not color so they can be added in any color scheme without disturbing the main scheme. Same is the case with shades of grey.


Grey color with cool color scheme in the bed room does not affecting the scheme of the room.

Color of illumination in the interior space also plays very important role in selecting color for any space. Illumination itself is a vast topic to discus, I wont go into much details just remember the thumb rule for illumination. Always use yellow lights for warm color scheme and white light for cool color scheme. If over all color scheme of the space is light you can play with the color lighting, but the basic illumination should be halogen or florescent light.

green color illumination in the false ceiling in the living room adding color to the space.


This is all about color in interior space. Rest if you have eye for color it wont be much difficult for you to decide color for your interior space. Remember every little thing which you add to your interior, add color to your space. Enjoy coloring your interior and it will add colors in your life….









3 comments:

Andrei said...

In terms of making spaces look smaller or bigger - some people feel uncomfortable in big open space, so they may like dark colors to be used for their confined spaces. I prefer big rooms and high ceilings and like them painted light, so they look and feel even bigger.
It's about perception and about what inhabitants feel comfortable with.

Rush-me said...

yes you are right that its about perception, but its also about the psychology. color and psychology is also a big theory to discus.

Anonymous said...

Well said.