We tell you how to learn how to accurately combine colors in the interior with a simple cheat sheet. By the way, it is also used by professionals!

One of the most difficult tasks in interior design is to assemble a palette and find shades that harmoniously match each other. If you are doing repairs without a designer, this is especially difficult. In the article we will tell you about the Itten color circle and the schemes of combinations that it helps to make. This is a real lifesaver for both pros and those who design their own housing.

How to use the Itten Circle

What is it

Johannes Itten is a Swiss artist, teacher and art theorist. He gained fame thanks to his works on color and form, which have been translated into many languages today (the key work is the book “The Art of Color”). On this basis, he developed a whole training course, which subsequently significantly influenced the modern approach to design training. Itten is also directly related to the famous Bauhaus school, where he taught.

The artist was particularly interested in the harmony of colors and the construction of their combinations. It was for the latter that he created the famous color circle, collecting and improving individual ideas of his predecessors. As a result, a clear and easy-to-work spectrum turned out, which can be used as a cheat sheet.

The circle is arranged as follows:

Note that there are no achromats (black, white, gray) in this spectrum. They are considered separately.

Schemes of combinations in the Itten circle

If you are not sure that you feel the color harmony well, the Itten circle will help you choose successful combinations. To do this, it is enough to use one of the schemes you like.

Two elements

The simplest version of the color scheme is double. It is difficult to make a mistake in such a number of components, although many people find such a palette too simple. To diversify it, you can take a couple of shades as a basis, and only then add accents locally.

There are two such combinations on the Itten circle:

Three elements

Combinations of three elements are the most popular. They are quite interesting and at the same time not too complicated, even a layman can cope. 

What triads can be:

Proportions in such color schemes may vary, but most often use the golden rule of color design 60/30/10. The essence is simple: 60% is given to the main shade, 30% to the more saturated additional, 10% to the brightest, accent.

Four elements

Finally, for the pros or the most daring lovers of bright interiors, there are complex schemes consisting of four elements.

Usually they are divided according to geometric shapes:

To make complex palettes look harmonious and not overload the interior, do not use pure color variations: choose shades of different saturation and temperature. For example, if you want to make blue dominant, choose indigo or a deep oceanic tone. And dim the additional colors a little: let it be dusty red, olive instead of bright emerald, terracotta instead of sunny yellow, etc. Achromats, especially white, will also balance the multicolored scale.

How to use a circle

There are two ways to use this handy cheat sheet: open it online or purchase it in physical form. The second option is convenient because special professional circles are made for designers, on which there are hints and ready-made guides of popular schemes. The upper white coating can be removed to see more shades, or, conversely, cover the excess with it. This helps not to be distracted when choosing a palette.

If you are not going to use this tool regularly, then it makes sense to limit yourself to the online version. This can be either an image of the spectrum itself, or an interactive service (they are easy to find, including in Russian), which will help you choose a suitable scheme and immediately give out a palette with color coding. And it can already be used for the selection of references and the purchase of materials.

An important point: remember that shades on paper or on the Internet may look different in real life. Therefore, when you choose a wall paint, be sure to buy samples and make paints to observe how the finish looks in different lighting conditions, in sunny and cloudy weather. If it is possible to get a sample of upholstery for upholstered furniture or facade material, do not miss it: for example, the fabric can be attached to the wall to understand whether the future sofa will look beautiful against the wallpaper background.

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