Color Wheel: How to Use the Simple Tool for Interior Design [Video]

Melissa Oholendt, founder and design principal of Oho Interiors explains, “While designers don’t always play by the traditional rules of color theory (we are meant to push boundaries), what we find is that a deep knowledge of color theory allows us to pick colors that work well together in projects and convey an overall feeling, room-by-room, in ways that are curated to our client’s needs in their home and life.” Ultimately, leveraging the use of a color wheel can ensure that designs are aesthetically pleasing, culturally appropriate, and functional while enhancing a client or user’s experience.

What are the primary, secondary, and tertiary colors on a color wheel?

Primary colors are red, blue, and yellow. Secondary colors are orange, green, and purple, while tertiary colors are combinations of adjacent primary and secondary colors: red-orange, red-purple, blue-purple, blue-green, yellow-green, and yellow-orange.

How do complementary colors work, and how can they be used in design?

Complementary colors are colors that are …