How To Design With Cool Tones ~ KG Style Designs

In our last post, we spoke about warm, rich color tones. These are any color to the right of the color wheel below. So I'm guessing you know by now which are our cool color tones. You guessed it...- the colors to the left of the color wheel.

What makes these color tones cool? And how do you design with them in mind?

Just as we did with our warm color tones, if we are taking a look at the color wheel above, the colors to the left on the color wheel - greens, blue, violets - are the "cool" hues. They appear to be farther away, which is why they are called "receding" colors. On walls, cool colors can make a room feel spacious and calm.

COOL ON COOL

Using the color wheel, you can stay within the right color tones and use a mixture of these warm colors to create a cohesive color scheme. Find fabrics that work for in the space like a blend of blues, greens and violets. Accessorize with pillows in the same color tone using different textures and patterns to bring interest into the space.

MIXED WITH WARM TONES

Warm tones are on the direct opposite of cool tones are so they are known to be complimentary colors. This is a great tool to know when choosing accessories for your home. Mixing in either warm tone colors like pillows or curtains, create a pop of color and a cohesive look.

Here's something you didn't know...

Visual temperature is relative. Red-violet and yellow-green may seem warm or cool, depending on the presence of other colors. Next to orange, red-violet looks cool; next to blue, it looks warm.

Visual temperature comes into play when you combine colors in a decorating scheme. In general, the juxtaposition of warm and cool colors intensifies each. If you paint one room a warm red, and an adjoining room a cool green, each will be more intensely warm or cool. This effect also works within a room. Cool walls make a warm wood floor seem even warmer.

Question: Now that you know the difference between warm and cool shades, which one do you prefer in your living space?

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