Design Notes
The world of design draws on multiple elements to create the perfect space for homeowners, a place that represents them and their particular style. Color plays a vital role in the design process, and its effects go beyond just adding a splash to the room. Color can affect our mood, communicate a message, lessen eye strain, and even play a part in remembering certain events. It also has the ability to influence the size of a room with certain colors, causing the area to feel larger, while other shades create a more intimate feel. Color selection can be a fun and rewarding process, plus it provides you with a great way to tell your story. More homeowners are discovering the beauty of contrasting colors, and this choice is gaining popularity in the design world. From two-toned kitchens to opposites in cabinets and tile, contrasting colors can spice up your design and make a stunning statement. Let’s explore more about what contrasting colors are and how they can help you tell your story.
What Are Contrasting Colors?
A color wheel showcases the standard twelve shades that make up the basic options. Contrasting colors, also known as complementary colors, are ones that are opposite from each other, such as:
- red and green (think Christmas)
- blue and orange(used by many companies)
- yellow and purple
- Black and white
These colors provide the most contrast and are used for a variety of purposes, like drawing attention to something or emphasizing importance. There are also differing levels of contrast. Blue and orange are considered a strong contrast, while red and orange have a lower contrast. Some low contrast pairings include:
- Purple and blue
- Yellow and green
- Orange and red
- Green and blue
Depending on the purpose of your space, you may want to consider choosing a softer contrast that allows you to still add a pop to the room without it feeling overwhelming or overwhelming. The value of a color can also provide a nice contrast, such as a deep blue against a soft blue. There are multiple ways to create contrast in the world of color. It mostly depends on what your goal for the space is and the statement or mood you want to create. Talking with a designer and browsing through inspiration galleries can help you define your design goals for your home.
How To Design Using Contrasting Colors?
Color is one of the best and most fun ways to bring any design to life and place a part of you inside. As we mentioned, there are a lot of ways you can use contrasting colors in design.
- Complete opposites on the color wheel
- Monochromatic opposites
- Warm and cool colors
Each of these allows you to create a balanced contrast and forge a unified design that can be enjoyed by everyone. Complete opposites are great for making statements, like using black and white in a bathroom. You can use a black bathtub or vanity as a focal point against white flooring or even black hardware on white cabinets in the kitchen. Monochromatic opposites are perfect for a unified look with a hint of fun mixed in, such as a gentle blue wall color with deep shades of blue featured on artwork hanging from it. This draws the eye in naturally while creating harmony at the same time. Warm colors like red, orange, and yellow forge a bold contrast when mixed with cool colors like blue, purple, and green. Both warm and cool can also be joined by neutrals like black, white, and gray to make a statement. Some ways to create contrast in your design include:
- Accent walls
- Furniture
- Cabinets
- Decor pieces
- Tile
- Hardware
- Window treatments
- Area rugs
When it comes to contrasting colors, think outside the box and take the time to look through magazines, Pinterest, home design blogs, and places like Houzz to get the inspiration for your new space. The fun about color is that it can be switched up, especially in areas such as the living room and bedrooms.
The Benefits Of Using Contrasting Colors
There are lots of benefits when designing with contrasting colors, and designers enjoy using them in multiple areas in the home, like the kitchen, bathroom, home office, and family rooms.
Here are the pros of using contrasting colors:
- It establishes hierarchy in design and helps organize your space by highlighting what is important and creating a focal point in the room, such as a kitchen island that is painted a bold color and surrounded by a softer color palette, such as white or gray. If a layout is monochromatic, it can be seen as somewhat dull. Using a few contrasting colors can add a spark to your space.
- When you have a large space, things can get lost or feel swallowed up in the vast area. Contrasting colors can help create a sense of balance, such as a dark wall at one end. It tells the eye that this is a smaller space than what it really is, and the same principle can be used to enlarge a space. By using a lighter color, an area can be made to feel bigger and brighter.
- Color is linked with your mood, and contrasting colors can improve it, like when adding pops of yellow to a space that is lacking in natural light. Darker colors can create a warmer, cozier vibe, like a bedroom that makes you feel safe and easier to relax, such as blues and purples.
While contrasting colors have their uses and benefits, there are a few things that should be avoided when using them, such as:
- It is vital that a balance be applied when using contrasting colors. If you use too many, it can create confusion and cause disharmony in the space, as well as stress for you. Concentrate on a few areas like an accent wall, a kitchen island, some fun artwork, tile flooring or backsplash, bathroom vanity, or furnishings like a couch. These are great ways to accomplish a contrast in a balanced way.
- Avoid using dull colors, such as browns and dull yellows. They often are linked with unpleasant things and should never be the main focus. However, brown shades found in nature, like wood tones, are excluded from this as they usually come in a rich and vibrant tone that evokes a calming nature vibe.
Don’t be afraid to ask your designer questions and ask for opinions. In the end, the choice is up to you, but there are benefits to looking at all your options.
Walker WoodworkingYou love your home, but there are some areas that are no longer working for you, if they ever did at all. You have made the big decision to renovate your kitchen, to give yourself the space you have always envisioned, but it feels overwhelming. How do you know which layout will work best for you? Which style best represents you, and what wood type will pair perfectly with certain colors? The kitchen can be a more difficult renovation because it involves multiple facets, such as plumbing and electrical. Adding in the appliances, lighting, and cabinets decisions can be enough to make your head spin. Planning is a critical part of a kitchen renovation, making it a key area of focus, which is why an experienced designer can help you accomplish your dreams on time and on budget.
James Martin Vanities has not disappointed us but provided many of our clients with a bathroom vanity that suited their unique needs, and the shorter lead times have allowed them to get the upgrades they needed within their timeframe. Our goal will always remain to provide our clients with the best possible products that fit their project, whether that is a custom, semi-custom, or predone option like the James Martin Vanity. We are here to assist you in finding the vanity that works for you, which is why we offer a variety of options. Are you ready for a change? Come visit our showroom where we have multiple vanities available for you to browse, and if you like one, you can take it home with you.
Walker Woodworking The kitchen sink has often been used to describe someone who packs everything they can think of when going on a trip, but in reality, it is a vital part of the kitchen and one of the most frequently used elements. It’s how we maintain a clean environment as we wash our hands, food, countertops, and dirty dishes. Our entire meal prep revolves around the sink since it is where most of the food is cut and prepared to be turned into a delicious dish for the family, and all the pots are filled. With so much happening around the sink, and it fulfills many roles, the type you choose is important. It should have the capacity to do everything needed in one easy design, which is why Greenbrook Design is proud to be a dealer for the Galley Workstation, a company that has reinvented the sink. Let’s talk about what it is and why you should choose it for your new kitchen sink.
Home is more than just a place to prepare for the next day, to sleep at night, and to eat your meals. It is a place where memories are made. It is where you can take a break from your routine and do something fun with your family. While everyone enjoys gathering in the kitchen, it is not the most ideal area of the home to play a board game or watch a movie. Many homeowners enjoy the idea of having a separate area where the kids can play, or they can host a Super Bowl party. Carving out a place in the home dedicated to just fun is a great way to enjoy family time without worrying about making a mess. Let’s talk about some ways to build your home for entertainment.
Walker WoodworkingThe kitchen is the center of the home, which means it should be given good consideration when planning its layout. This is especially true when it comes to cabinet design. Closed, glass front, and open shelving are the options available for kitchen cabinets. Open shelving has become a popular choice with homeowners and designers alike due to the elegance and style it brings to the kitchen. Let’s talk about the benefits it can bring to your home and some helpful design tips.
Greenbrook Design 
Walker Woodworking