Module 4: Color in Interior Design

Module 4

Color in Interior Design

This unit will take you on a deep dive into the wonderful and complex world of color. As color has a significant influence on the human psyche, the subject covers a broad scope in the design and decoration of interiors. Color affects, influences, governs and, at times, even defines Interior Design.

This in-depth unit therefore offers a full introduction to the elements of color, from how the color spectrum works, to the impact of hue, saturation, tint and chroma. The more we know about color properties, the better we can adjust color to our needs. From these basics we move on to how the color wheel works and the formulation of harmonious color schemes, from analogous and achromatic schemes to split complementary and tetrad schemes. Armed with this knowledge you will be able to create successful and beautiful color schemes for any interior.

The use of colors in interior spaces as the translation of abstract color schemes, theories and meanings into real materials, surfaces, experience and use in a space is a complex matter requiring creativity, and judgment. Often, one learns these with experience. The colors you use in your interior design and décor impact the atmosphere you create. You need to correctly assess what this ambiance should be before choosing the colors. Light or cool desaturated colors increase the experienced spaciousness of the room. This is because light colored surfaces diffuse the distribution of light, therefore enlarging the perception of space.

For the third section of this unit, we take a journey into color psychology, covering the symbolism and psychological effects of each color in turn, and the impact each can have in Interior Design. Colors play an important role in conveying information, creating certain moods, and even influencing the decisions people make. Color psychology is an important tool used to combine colors for a particular desired effect. You will learn which colors excite, which colors stimulate and which colors relax and calm. We will also explore multiple color harmonies including complementary and abstract color schemes. The psychological aspect of color can become particularly important in commercial situations where it can be used in a manipulative way to create a certain environment. Also, color perception is highly subjective and different cultures understand color differently.

Lastly, we journey back in time to explore the use of color in Interior Design history, from Mesopotamia and Egypt to Asian civilizations, the ancient Greeks and Romans through to the Romanesque and Gothic eras in Europe. The remarkable thing about design is the resurgence of influence from previous periods which are a great way to inspire interesting design ideas today. Therefore, color is an important aspect at the interior designer’s disposal.

The entire module will help you understand how interior designers choose color and help you understand the importance of color in interior design.

Interior design influencer content

Our fourth module contains an exclusive video from Nina Takesh, a California based interior designer. Nina covers the following:

• How does one choose a color palette that reflects their design style and goals for each space?
• What is color psychology?
• How do interior designers select/suggest colors?

Module Outline

1. The Basics of Color
   • Hue
   • Saturation
   • Spectrum
   • Tint
   • Metameric Effect
   • Color Formation
   • Systems of Color
   • Chroma
2. Color Harmony
   • Achromatic Color Scheme
   • Monochromatic Color Scheme
   • Analogous Color Scheme
   • Complementary Color Scheme
   • Split Complementary Color Scheme
   • Triad Color Scheme
   • Tetrad Color Scheme
3. Color Psychology
   • Symbolism of Color
   • Color Psychology - Red
   • Color Psychology - Orange
   • Color Psychology – Yellow
   • Color Psychology - Green
   • Color Psychology – Blue
   • Color Psychology – Purple
   • Color Psychology – White
   • Color Psychology – Black
4. Color in Interior Design History
   • Prehistoric
   • Mezopotamian
   • Egyptian
   • Asian Civilisations
   • Neolithic Europe
   • Greek
   • Romas
   • Byzantine
   • Dark Ages and Romanesque
   • Gothic