Understanding Color Contrast

We see many contrasts around us in nature every day, a white sheep against the green grassy paddock, a luminous orange buoy bobbing about on the blue green sea, a black jagged rock jutting out of a snow covered hill.

These are contrasts in color and tone as we have learnt, as well as pattern and texture.

A smooth stone paver set into a green lawn, a brick wall with ivy growing up and over it.

Picture Right – The rugged contrast between black rocks and pure white snow.

If two objects have a similar texture and pattern and are seen in close proximity, it can be very difficult to distinguish one from another, as they appear to blend into the environment, therefore no contrast. This can be very useful in Interior Design if we want to camouflage something that is not pleasing to us.

For example, by painting existing brown timber cupboard doors over a bench, the same light color as the walls – they go from being a large imposing storage space to disappearing back into the wall giving the illusion of space and removing all traces of contrast. Therefore contrast is a very useful tool in design and one to be embraced.

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