Does Color Give Depth to a Room?

Color Schemes

• A color scheme is a group of color tones that relate to each other to form a harmonious whole. Each room has a group of dominant tones formed by the walls, ceiling, floor and furnishings. To use color to create the illusion of depth, it is necessary to establish a color scheme for the space. A color scheme can be monochromatic, meaning several tones of a single color; complementary, meaning several tones of two colors across from each other on the color wheel, such as red and green; or analogous, meaning colors that appear next to each other on the color wheel, such as yellow, yellow-orange and yellow-green. All colors can be tinted by adding white, or shaded by adding black. The intensity of a color is lowered by adding its complement.

Color Placement

• The placement of colors from the palette within the space is important to the perceived size and depth of the room. Placing a darker tone of the color selected for the walls on two parallel walls will visually “push out” the walls to expand the perceived size and depth of the space. On ceilings, however, darker tones appear to lower the height, while lighter tones lift it. Placing a darker tone on only one wall will call out that wall as a focal point in the room, and create an illusion of greater depth and space overall.

Application Techniques

• Certain paint application techniques create an illusion of depth on the surface of walls. Through the layering of applied color(s), an irregular surface tone achieves the effect of translucence. Examples of these techniques are color washing, stippling, rag rolling, sponging, glazing and dragging. A combination of gloss and matte finish paints can also increase the illusion of depth. A coat of varnish, either matte or gloss, seals and protects special paint treatments.

Color Properties

• Warm colors advance into the space, cool colors recede. This means that cool colors are more effective in achieving an illusion of depth, particularly with deeper, more saturated hues. Lighter tones open up a space, particularly in rooms with little or no natural light. By limiting the number of colors in a space, and then arranging light and dark tones of the color within the space, most colors, including warmer tones and neutrals, can contribute to an illusion of depth.