How To Colour Co-ordinate

Ensure your colour scheming works well every time you decorate with our guide to the basic rules.

By Sarah Warwick

Getting the colours you'd love in your rooms to work together beautifully is something you want to do right first time. There are plenty of ways to do it, so you can pick the method you prefer - you might enjoy having a reference like the colour wheel, or perhaps putting together a mood board of sample fabrics, paint colours or wallpapers might suit you better.

Method One: The Colour Wheel

A colour wheel of 12 segments is based on the primary colours of red, yellow and blue. The secondary colours of green, orange and purple are created by combining the primary colours, and are also shown on the wheel. The remaining segments of the wheel are made from primary colours mixed with secondary colours, and are named for the combination - for example blue-green.

If you are using a colour wheel to help you decorate, theory tells you that you can create a scheme from just one segment of the wheel - and of course your scheme would be co-ordinated as you'll just be working with one colour.

This obviously isn't a whole room of - for example - blue things from the floors to the walls to the furniture. Use darker and lighter tones of your chosen colour and you'll create variety in the scheme but still know it's co-ordinated.

Alternatively you might choose two or three colours that sit alongside each other on the wheel - for example green, yellow-green, yellow - as these will work equally happily together in a room.

Other options for a co-ordinated room include using colours that are opposite each other on the wheel, or using three colours spaced equally apart on the wheel.

Remember that whichever option you choose, you'll need a break from colour in your room, too. So plan for areas of neutral or white. And don't forget that pattern can still be part of the room, bringing your chosen colours together.