How to Match Interior Walls With a Color Wheel

Look at the colors of any woodwork, furniture, window treatments and floors that will remain in the room.

Choose a complementary color scheme if you prefer a high contrast of vibrant color. Complementary colors are located opposite each other on the color wheel. Examples of complementary colors are red and green, purple and orange, or yellow and blue. If you have cherry cabinets and woodwork in your room, sage green walls would complement them nicely.

Select an analogous color scheme to create a serene and comfortable environment. Analogous color palettes use colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. Red, orange and yellow harmonize well to create a warm color scheme. Blue, green and purple make up a cooler color palette. Choosing a wall color such as pale yellow provides a soft, warm canvas for dark wood furniture and brick-red draperies.

Opt for a triadic color scheme for a bolder color scheme. A triadic color scheme is comprised of three colors that are evenly spaced around the color wheel. Purple, orange and green is an example of a triadic color palette. Light purple or orange walls add vibrant energy to a room.

Purchase two or three paint samples of your preferred wall colors. These colors can be slight variations of the same color, such as three shades of green. Limit yourself to three paint samples -- more than three can be confusing.

Paint a small area, about 1 foot square, of each paint sample on the wall. Allow the paint to dry overnight and look at the paint in various lights. The color will look different in the daylight, nighttime and under artificial lights. Choose the one you like best for your wall color.