The relationships of color

There are two types of relationships that colors have with one another and they are dictated based on the color's position within the color wheel.

Complementary colors

Some say opposites attract. Opposite colors on the color wheel are called complementary colors. The use of red and green at Christmas is a great example. Complementary colors are often bold and vibrant and can bring energy and excitement to a space. For these reasons, complementary colors are frequently used for sports teams. 

While complementary colors can be bold, when carefully curated they can warm up a space.

Here we have an example of where an accent wall has been given a bold blue paint that complements the orange and yellow hues in the hardwood floors and wood furniture.

Analogous colors

Or “birds of a feather stick together”. When two adjacent colors on the color wheel get together, they are called analogous. An example of an analogous color scheme would be the use of blue and green in a room. Blue is a primary color, so no colors are mixed to create it. It’s a pure color. Green is a secondary color. It’s created through mixing blue and yellow. Since green has blue in it, it coordinates well with the color blue. Using an analogous color scheme can have a gradient effect and be very calming. 

You can see an example of the use of greens and blues together in bathroom #2 one of our Fairhaven bathroom transformations.

Some prefer to stay single. Using a single color is called monochromatic. This may sound boring; but with the right use of shades, tones, and textures; it can make for a beautiful, restful space.

We used custom tile work to draw on the natural sunlight in one of our master spa bathroom transformations to create a calming monochromatic space that was one of a kind.

How you choose to use color is up to your personal style and what you're expecting from your space. We are merely here to guide you to ensure you get the space you've always wanted.