Warm vs. Cool Colors: How Color Temperature Can Transform Your Home

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Color sets the mood in your space - and there's a science behind identifying the shades that best match your design goals. Color also reaches far beyond paint color. It extends to flooring, furniture, and even the lightbulbs you use in your fixtures. All colors have an undertone, either warm or cool, that can drive the feel of the final design result. Whether warm or cool colors are right for your space depend on what you're trying to achieve - a cozy hideaway or a beachy paradise? A dark and moody home office or a light and airy living room?

Warm Colors

Warm colors are naturally cozy and inviting. Your mind probably goes right to neutrals, like cream, beige, and caramel. While those can be examples of warm colors, reds, oranges, and yellows can also be considered warm.

Cool Colors

Cool colors are inspired by nature - think water and sky. Common cool colors include blue, green, mauve and some pinks, and of course, the cool neutrals based in grey. More on this later!

Understanding Undertones

Here's where warm vs. cool colors get tricky - the undertones. It's not always easy to look at a paint swatch and determine if it's warm or cool, but the following tips will help.

Let's consider one of the most commonly used colors that has several shades, some warm, and some cool - GREY.

• A warm grey has soft undertones that are yellow or red and feel cozy and gentle

• A cool grey has blue or green undertones and feels crisp and modern

To be sure, you can hold your color sample next to something that is pure white. If the color sample looks yellow or cream, it's warm! If it looks blue, green, or icy, it's cool. Try this method and let us know how it works for you!

How Lighting Impacts Undertones

Remember above where we said warm or cool tones aren't just limited to wall color? Well, color temperature also, and perhaps most importantly, applies to lighting. Lightbulbs will typically note whether they are warm or cool. You can get everything right in terms of undertones and color selection, but it will all go to waste if your lighting doesn't match.

For example, a perfectly executed, warm reading room with cool lighting will feel off balance. Keep it consistent, and remember not to confuse color temperature with brightness.

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All this to say, interior design is about your personal design goals, and there are no "rules." At Highview Interiors, we're here to help take your vision and make it a reality. If you're ready to jump into your next project and need some guidance, visit HighviewInteriors.com, select your design package, take our Design Questionnaire, and start designing with us today! We can't wait to work with you. On your terms and your budget, to help you acheive your design goals.

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