Color Juxtaposition with Colors for Home Interiors
Juxtapose – is defined in the dictionary as to put things side by side.
For interior designers juxtaposition means that if you juxtapose two contrasting objects, images, or ideas, you place them together or describe them together, the differences between them are emphasized. The technique is used most often to juxtapose things for dramatic effect.
In respect to juxtaposition with color, when two colors are placed side by side they interact with one another and change our perception accordingly. The effect of this interaction is called simultaneous contrast. Our interpretation of a color can be changed when certain colors are juxtaposed and because we rarely see colors in isolation, simultaneous contrast affects our sense of the color that we see.
Simultaneous contrast is most intense when the two colors are complementary colors found from using the color wheel. These complementary colors are pairs of colors, which are found opposing each other on the color wheel. This effect of juxtaposing contrasting colors creates movement and vitality and is a useful tool if we want to liven up an interior space. If one color is existing, you can add it’s complementary to lift the intensity of both colors and add life and movement to the space.
A bright color will make the color that lies next to it appear more like its complementary color.
In a room situation, small highlighting colors can be made more intense when surrounded by another color, likewise they can be made more subdued depending on the scheme being used.
The diagrams show numerous examples using colors from the color wheel, primary, secondary and tertiary combinations.
Have a look for yourself and see how they change depending on what color they are positioned next to.
Color Juxtaposition Examples
Picture – Primary and Secondary background colors juxtaposed with a gray feature. The colors seem true without altering their appearance.
Picture – Primary background color juxtaposed with Secondary color feature.
Picture – Secondary Background color juxtaposed with a Primary color feature.
Picture – Primary and Secondary background color juxtaposed with Tertiary color feature.
Photo Examples
The use of two primary colors, red and yellow together intensifies each color.
With the use of a primary, yellow, and a secondary color, green the intensity of the secondary color increases.
Another primary color, yellow and a secondary color violet juxtaposition intensifies the secondary color.
Start observing color combinations around you. See if you can move things together or apart and see if it changes their color appearance. Play around and you will find that juxtaposition is a useful tool for an interior designer to use.
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