Color Guide: How to Work With Primary Colors
Go beyond the ABCs with Mondrian-style renderings and eclectic takes using these notice-me color foundations
Primary colors — blue, red and yellow — are the foundations of all other colors (black and white help with tone and value). But they are less common in interior design than their derivatives. You see lots of light yellow and different shades of blue; a ton of green. But you don't see as much of the true shades.
This might be because primary colors in their true forms are often associated with childhood and a floor covered in toys. But there is no reason they have to be babyish. Just ask Mondrian or Miró. Primary colors are the colors of modern art, comic books and pop art.
Primary colors have major impact, especially when they are used together. They are clear, straightforward and bold. You often see them combined with geometric shapes in modern design. But they are most often used in small doses — a painting here, a chair there — or in more muted derivations, like light blue, turquoise, pinks and burgundies.
In modern design, primaries go well with bright white and gray tones. But in other styles they can go a little more wild. You see them sometimes in richly patterned rugs.
Below are some rooms that go all out — primary colors or bust — and some that are more meditations on a theme, with lots of room for interpretation. All of them are brave and beautiful in their own way.
This might be because primary colors in their true forms are often associated with childhood and a floor covered in toys. But there is no reason they have to be babyish. Just ask Mondrian or Miró. Primary colors are the colors of modern art, comic books and pop art.
Primary colors have major impact, especially when they are used together. They are clear, straightforward and bold. You often see them combined with geometric shapes in modern design. But they are most often used in small doses — a painting here, a chair there — or in more muted derivations, like light blue, turquoise, pinks and burgundies.
In modern design, primaries go well with bright white and gray tones. But in other styles they can go a little more wild. You see them sometimes in richly patterned rugs.
Below are some rooms that go all out — primary colors or bust — and some that are more meditations on a theme, with lots of room for interpretation. All of them are brave and beautiful in their own way.
The geometric panels of primary colors (plus orange) glow on this modern neutral home in its vast, neutral landscape.
True Primaries
Small areas of true yellow and red warm up a huge room and bring out the color in the wood floors and the area rug. This is a good example of how primary colors don't have to be starkly modern or playroom chaotic.
Small areas of true yellow and red warm up a huge room and bring out the color in the wood floors and the area rug. This is a good example of how primary colors don't have to be starkly modern or playroom chaotic.
They are all here, but they are not taking over the room. Instead the red, yellow and blue blend into the rest of the warm decor.
This eclectic room has traditional elements, like the blue wingback chairs, paired with modern elements, like the geometric shape of the room and window. It also expands the use of primary colors by including the turquoise and orange painting.
I love this chair.
A very modern use of primary colors. Bright white sets it all off, so each piece is a little explosion of color.
Primaries at their most comfortable: geometric, spare and modern.
Variations on a Theme
The primary colors in this painting are highlighted by the primary-colored accessories and books on the table below.
The primary colors in this painting are highlighted by the primary-colored accessories and books on the table below.
This brave room is mostly about primary colors, but the decorator has added pink and green and pattern and ... wow.
A mellower take on the primary-colored kids' room. Still vivid but slightly subtler than true primaries.
Geometric shapes, bright white, but not quite primary colors. The effect is similar but softer.
This eclectic room is so gorgeous. The primary colors are almost hidden in art and rugs and that one small strip of red on the bookcase. But they are there, in all their stylish glory.
A pop art dream room. Some true primaries, some muted versions, but all "Pow!'
Bright yellow walls. Red chairs. Need I say more?
Red is probably the most common primary to appear on walls.
This modern concrete facade looks like a Mondrian painting. The primary color blocks lighten up what could look a little Soviet if left unpainted.