COLOURS IN DESIGN

Interior designing is a sum total of all the arts covering varied aspects of how a space can be defined. It covers distinctive aspects including materials, textures, shapes, dimensions, colours and other features that define a space. It is rightfully an amalgamation of all these elements and these form the strands with which the fabric of interiors is woven.

In the following article, we shall focus on the wonderful world of COLOURS. Without colour, this world would look drab. Haven't you ever felt lonely and sad on a colourless, grey, rainy day? As a matter of fact, colour can do wonders; it essentially remains the most trusted tool to work with.

Besides being an important aspect of designed space, colour is also a powerful design medium. A good colour scheme contributes largely to the success of an outstanding design. Unpleasant colours, besides other factors, are usually the reason why an interior scheme is unappealing. Colours are also used in many ways to add excitement and pleasure to our lives.

Colours speak an emotional language to us. Some colours evoke feelings of warmth; others arouse feelings of coolness and thus could be distinguished “mood-setters”. A colour is only a sensation, not an object. And to sense its effects, proper juxtaposition is necessary. They affect our psychology. Having said that, it is important to realize which colours reflect what qualities.

RED is the most visible colour. It tends to excite, activate and enthuse.

BLUE on the other hand is a quiet colour, the colour of refined nature and culture. It cools, soothes, relaxes, contracts.

YELLOW cheers and enlivens. It helps to bring out the creative best in you. It lends its warmth to spaces.

GREEN is the most common colour in nature after blue. It often helps in relaxing the mind, soothing, making a person calm and inducing mood of meditation.

WHITE denotes eternal peace. It symbolizes infinity.

BLACK is for fear, depression, melancholy, secrecy.

Colours lend a third dimension to space. Lighter colours appear to recede giving the feeling of spaciousness while darker colours appear to advance. This property can be used effectively while designing spaces. In a smaller space, lighter shades of colour enhance the apparent size of the room.

We must also remember that no colour or thing can be seen without light, and the quality of light definitely affects colour. Sunlight is accepted as ideal balanced light to see colours in, but artificial light sources themselves tainted and unbalanced in their composition, add their own tinge to the colours of the objects illuminated by them.

While choosing colours, a detailed study of the aspects of space need to be visualized and proper combinations achieved. A few tips would help in identifying right colour schemes.

·        Large rooms require rich, bold and dark colours with strong patterns. Small rooms can be made to look bigger by using receding, cool and light shades.

·        One colour should always dominate a colour scheme. Two strong colours need to be avoided being placed together.

·        Lighting effects need to be considered in the desired space. The spaces need to look beautiful in daylight as well as in artificial light.

·        The furniture and other elements also lend their colour to the overall scheme. Hence while choosing colours these elements need to be well considered. Like, lighter colours in the background will highlight the elements before it.

·        In cold rooms that receive little sunshine, use of warm and advancing colours make the rooms cosy. Rooms usually washed with sunshine require the use of cool light colours.

·        Strong colour contrast will emphasize a colour scheme and make the space more exciting.

·        Generate a soothing, relaxing ambience through a monochromatic colour scheme or by blending light colours. Contrasting, bright colours can be used to stimulate spaces.

·        You can modify the spatial characteristics of a room. High ceilings if painted in a darker tone can make the ceiling appear lower. To make the ceiling appear higher, continue the tone of the walls onto the ceiling.

·        Beams can be visually mitigated if painted the same colours as the walls. In contrast, in order to highlight certain beams or girders, contrasting bright colours could be used.

Colour is, in all likelihood, the most evocative and the least expensive design medium at a professional's disposal. A successful interior scheme relies not just on colour but also on the overall planning, with all the elements seen in relationship to one another. However, this one aspect of interior design influences the creation of atmosphere, modulates spaces, adds emotions and contributes to the comfort of a space if used logically and sensitively. Therefore do not be afraid to experiment with colour and the Architect will guide you on how to effect positive changes with colours.

- Architect Siddha Sardessai