Accent Color - A contrasting hue used to add a visual effect to a color scheme.

Adjoining colors (analogous colors) - are those that are next to each other on the color wheel. When you decorate with adjoining colors you will create a relaxing and welcoming atmosphere.

Color Scheme - A group of colors used to create particular mood or effect.

Complementary Colors - Two colors located directly opposite each other on the color wheel.

Contrasting Colors - Colors that have at least three colors between them on a color wheel.

Cool Colors - Blues, greens, and purples (called receding colors)

Desaturated Colors - Color made less brilliant by adding white to them.

Hue - another word for color

Monochromatic - Using one color, but incorporating all the tints and shades of that one color.

Neutral Colors - White, gray, taupe, tan, brown, etc.

Primary Colors - Red, blue and yellow.

Related Colors - Two colors right next to one another on the color wheel.

Saturated Colors - Bright hues, color that is not mixed with black, white or gray (for tinting or shading).

Secondary Colors - Colors created by mixing two primary colors together.

Shade - a darker hue created by adding black to a color.

Split Complementary - Using the two colors on each side of the complement. (i.e. red, yellow-green, and blue-green)

Tint - a lighter hue created by adding white to a color.

Tone - adding gray to a color

Triad - Created by using three hues that are an equal distance apart on the color wheel. (i.e. red, yellow and blue)

Value - The lightness or darkness of a color.

Warm Colors - Reds, oranges, and yellows (called advancing colors).

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Analogous or Related:
Created by using hues (three colors) that are next to each other on the color wheel. They consist of one primary color, one intermediate color and one secondary color. (Ex: blue, blue-green, green). They all have some of the same "primary" color.

Complimentary:
Created by using hues that are opposite of each other on the color wheel. These two colors do not have anything in common with each other.

Split Complimentary:
Created by selecting a hue on the color wheel and combining it with the two hues on each side of the direct compliment.

Double Complimentary:
Created with two sets of complimentary colors. (i.e. yellow and violet, red and green)

Accented Neutral:
White and black accented with a bright color. (I.e. white, black, red or white, black and orange)

 

 

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