Color blocking is a design technique that involves pairing two or more bold colors together. While it may have started in the fashion world, the technique became infused in interior design as well. It's possible to color block walls, ceilings, furniture, accessories, and more. Avoid complementary colors and go for bold contrasts.
Create different geometric shapes and fill them with bold colors. The color effect will be striking. Like many things in design, it's helpful to use an odd number with your color blocking. Even with this technique, you'll want to incorporate in some neutral color like white, black, gray, or tan.
We've created a guide to help you color block elements of your interior design. So, without further ado, let's get to it!
The color wheel shows the relationship between colors. Primary colors include yellow, red, and blue. These colors can't be mixed from other colors. Secondary colors include orange, violet, and green. These colors are the results of mixing two primary colors. Tertiary colors include yellow-orange, red-orange, red-violet, blue-violet, blue-green, and yellow-green. These colors are formed when you mix a secondary color with a primary color.
Understanding these colors and how they work together are key for interior design.
Color Blocking Walls
Considering that walls are one of the most expansive areas in a room, color blocking them makes a bold statement.
White And Blue
Icy blue and crisp white walls stand against each other. This type of design easily features the elements in the room, giving careful attention to each piece.
Hot Pink And White
Hot pink is an electrifying color. Pairing it with white is an excellent way to cool the color down without sacrificing any aesthetic.
Red-Orange And Orange
Red-orange and orange are next to each other on the color wheel. This room uses an analogous color scheme—utilizing three colors next to each other. The orange-red serves as the most dominant color while the others serve more as accents.
Color Blocking Ceilings
Color blocking ceilings is a different take on the design technique. While the ceiling may not be the first thing you notice in a room, the unique color blocking technique will help showcase features in the room. It's also a wonderful way to incorporate texture into the design.
Wood paneling for the ceiling is a texture-rich way to color block a room. It adds some drama and height to the room. It even complements the wooden dining table.
Sky Blue Ceiling
This room is already full of interesting geometric shapes, so a color-blocked ceiling emphasizes that aspect.
The peachy hue of this ceiling is a soft complement to the gorgeous navy blue walls.
Color Blocking Accessories
Color blocking doesn't have to stop at the walls and ceiling. Consider color blocking various accessories in the room for added intrigue.
Color-Blocked Table Settings
These place settings feature the three primary colors, forming the perfect color wheel.
Color-Blocked Lighting And Shelves
The pendant lighting features a mix of solid color hoods. The lighting looks playful when paired with the color-blocked floating shadow box shelves.
Color-Blocked Pillows And Poufs
The accessories in this room take the cake. Against the neutral walls and furniture, the accessories like the pillows and poufs incorporate valuable color and texture.
Color-Blocked Art And Tabletop Accessories
This room design is simple yet gorgeous. It features various shades of blue and pink, creating a unique, soft-toned color-blocked aesthetic.
Color-Blocked Kitchen Appliances
The yellow appliances are an amusing way to add some bright color into the design. You can even tuck the appliances away if you don't want too much color.
Color Blocking Furniture - The Dining Room
In a dining room, color block the table set, other prominent furniture pieces, or numerous accessories. This can create a cohesive color scheme.
Red And White Furniture
The bold red hue stands out incredibly against the cool white features in the room.
Colorful Glassware And Plates
Set apart each place setting by using different colored glassware and plates for each spot at the table.
Color Blocking Furniture - The Living Room
Color blocking furniture in the living room allows the room to be infused with meaningful character and color.
Texture-Rich Couch And Side Table
The couch has a soft gray hue and the side table is organic wood, each one forming a natural color block scheme.
Bold Red Couches
Nothing makes a statement quite as much as cherry red couches. In any room design, they'll steal the show.
Pastel Couch And Chair
Go for a subtle scheme with pastel-colored furniture. The geometric area rug helps pull all the colors together.
Colorful Sectional Pieces
If you take a look back at the color wheel, you'll notice this sectional includes all the tertiary colors. While they appear very loud together, it's also a cohesive aesthetic. Accessories placed around the room help pull the room together.
Color Blocking Furniture - The Bedroom
Color blocking furniture in the bedroom gives you a lot of room to show off your creativity. Whether you use the color blocking technique for the bed, nightstand, desk, wardrobe, shelving, lighting, or more, the bedroom will be full of fun features.
Everything Color Blocked
Don't stop with one piece of furniture. Color block all the features for some playfulness in a child's room.
Shadowbox Aquarium And Matching Lighting
The aqua blue painted shadowbox is reminiscent of an aquarium, giving the room a unique look. The lighting on each side of the bed utilizes symmetry.
Bold Bedding Colors
The solid blue bedding stands out against the bright yellow accent wall. Each gray nightstand lamp defines the bed.
Color Blocking In The Kitchen
Color blocking in the kitchen can be done in a plethora of ways. Consider color blocking kitchen features like the backsplash, appliances, lighting, and other accessories.
Colorful Tile Backsplash
A simple way to add color-blocking technique in the kitchen design is through a multi-colored tile backsplash.
Sleek Red And Black Cabinetry
Shiny red and black cabinetry defines the space in your kitchen in a sleek, modern way.
Sunny Yellow Features
Yellow is a cheerful color that transforms any room. Use the color in your kitchen cabinetry and counter chairs for a unique color-blocked look.
Royal Blue Cabinetry And Accessories
A monochromatic color blocking scheme is apparent in this design. Different shades of blue are creatively used to define spaces and add depth.
Color Blocking In Public Spaces
Color blocking doesn't have to stop in the home. It can be utilized in public spaces, too. This can be done through furniture, wall color, and even the flooring.
Define each eating area by the color of each piece of furniture. Each dining set of a table and chairs has distinct red and blue colors.
Cubicle Color Blocking
Define each desk space with a colored cubicle wall. Other solid colors throughout the room outline the space.
Yellow Accent Wall And Chartreuse Desk Walls
A yellow accent wall at the forefront of the room elongates its look. Chartreuse desk walls provide contrast to the white desk features.
Easily separate public areas with color-blocked nooks. The areas are clearly defined thanks to the design technique.
Red And Yellow Flooring
In an otherwise neutral room, the yellow and red flooring commands attention and separates the sections of the room.
Before you go, make sure to check out these other home decor guides:
Should You Choose Light Or Dark Living Room Furniture?
15 Best Housewarming Gifts For First Home
Infographic images in this post courtesy of EZ Living Interiors.