Temperature
Whether we perceive a colour as warm or cool is relative to the particular colour and its surrounding colours. Generally, reds, yellows, and oranges are warm colours, while blues, greens, and violets are considered cool. Warm colours tend to advance or condense a room, while cool colours recede or expand a room. Combining both warm and cool colours in a decorating scheme intensifies the temperature of the respective colours.
Intensity
Intensity (or chroma) refers to a colour’s purity or brightness and, conversely, its dullness. The purer or less grey a colour, the more intensity it has. Bright yellow and cherry red are high-intensity colours; ochre and brick are low-intensity colours. Try using intense colours as accents in your décor. Intense colours add energy to a room, while lower-intensity colours can give a room a calming effect.
Direct Sunlight
Considered the ideal light source, natural sunlight maintains a neutral balance between both the warm (yellow cast) and cool (blue cast) ends of the light spectrum. Northern light is the coolest, while light from a southern exposure is most intense. Direct sunlight provides the truest rendition of the colours in a room.
Indirect Sunlight
Natural sunlight is not consistent as it changes throughout the day from sunrise to sunset. The intense golden rays and subsequent distinct shadows of a sunny, late afternoon can have a profound effect on the colours in a room.
Artificial Light
Incandescent and halogen lights enhance warm colours such as reds and yellows, while blues and greens are dulled. Under the cool cast of fluorescent lights, blues and greens are enhanced, while reds and yellows are muted. |
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