Using Colours Together

In life, we’re almost never in a place with only one surface colour (and if we are, particularly if that colour is white, we’re apt to be so stressed that we’re having a very, very bad day).

The effects that any surface colours have on us depend on their saturation and lightness, as discussed in another article in this issue.
What have scientists learned about using shades in combinations?

• Colour combinations of the same hue will seem more harmonious and pleasing. The same goes for colours with the same saturation levels or saturation levels that are only slightly different. The lighter the shades in a set of colours, the more likely the entire set will seem harmonious as will a collection of colours that differs only in lightness levels. Small lightness differences can, however, reduce the pleasingness of a set of colours.

• Depending on the shades involved, analogous colour schemes can be more restful and complementary ones more energizing. Humans who feel more interdependent with other people prefer analogous to complementary collections of colours. Also, people who feel socially excluded (isolated) prefer analogous colour combinations (compared to complementary ones) more than those who don’t feel isolated. Analogous and complementary colour combinations are discussed in this article https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analogous_colours and this one https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complementary_colours

• A lighter-to-darker (top-to-bottom) gradation of a colour conveys “stability.”