the painted surface
Monochromatic Paint Ideas
- Monochromatic (definition)
- a : having or consisting of one color or hue
- b : of, relating to, or exhibiting monochromatism
- c : lacking variety, creativity, or excitement
Let me relate the meaning of monochromatic to a decorative home painting project and say that it means “to use a single hue”. However this does not mean to use one color. Let me explain. Color is an a general term we use to describe a different tint, tone or shade of a hue. Hue technically being the root color or the base color. Hues become colors by the addition of white, gray or black. A tint of a color is made by adding white to a hue. A tone of a color is made by adding gray to a hue. A shade of a color is made by adding black to a hue. It is with these additions to and the mixing of hues that results in a color. Colors form a relationship to one another because of variations of tint, tone and shade of the same hue. This relationship creates a harmonious color palette.
To define monochromatic as “lacking variety, creativity, or excitement” as Webster does fails to realize the nearly limitless possibilities we have in paint colors. The color palette to the left illustates how adding white, gray and black to one hue creates a monochromatic color scheme. The lightest and darkest of colors could be used as accent colors and to create contrast. The lightest color would work well on woodwork, trim or a ceiling, knowing it would blend with any of the other colors. The darker colors might showcase an alcove or niche or be used to accent one wall. One of the middle value colors could be used to set the overall mood of the room by using it as the dominant color. A monochromatic color scheme contains the extremes from light to dark and all values between to provide the contrast, variety and interest to prevent boredom and sameness often associated with one hue palettes.
Why use a monochromatic color scheme?
Simplicity - one hue of various tints, tones, and shades
Energy - peaceful and subtle
Mood - the hue sets the tone of the room
Easy - accent with the neutrals white, gray and black
Theme - one hue to showcase the personality of the room
Effect - looks balanced and visually appealing
Unifying - brings cohesion into the room
Enlarges - makes a small room appear larger
How to use a monochromatic color scheme?
Color Swatches
Benjamin Moore
- barely teal
2048-70 - jamaican aqua
2048-60 - tropicana cabana
2048-50 - poolside blue
2048-40 - aruba blue
2048-30 - juniper
2048-20 - sherwood forest
2048-10
Sherwin–Williams
- Intricate Ivory
SW6350 - Sweet Orange
SW6351 - Soft Apricot
SW6352 - Chivalry Copper
SW6353 - Armagnac
SW6354 - Truepenny
SW6355 - Copper Mountain
SW6356
Benjamin Moore
- voile pink
2000-70 - light chiffon pink
2000-60 - blush tone
2000-50 - strawberry shortcake
2000-40 - red tulip
2000-30 - tricycle red
2000-20 - red
2000-10
Benjamin Moore
- cotton balls
2145-70 - minced onion
2145-60 - limesickle
2145-50 - fernwood green
2145-40 - brookside moss
2145-30 - terrapin green
2145-20 - avocado
2145-10
PPG Paints
- Cake Batter
212-1 - Golden Fleece
212-2 - Butterfly Bush
212-3 - Forsythia Blossom
212-4 - Indian Maize
212-5 - Yarrow
212-6 - Golden Field
212-7
Benjamin Moore
- mocha cream
995 - ashen tan
996 - baja dunes
997 - cabot trail
998 - rustic taupe
999 - northwood brown
1000 - north creek brown
1001
Sherwin–Williams
- Narcissus
SW6707 - Springtime
SW6708 - Gleeful
SW6709 - Mélange Green
SW6710 - Parakeet
SW6711 - Luau Green
SW6712 - Verdant
SW6713
Benjamin Moore
- blue allure
771 - hawaiian breeze
772 - athenian blue
773 - i've got the blues
774 - poolside
775 - santa monica blue
776 - summer nights
777
Choose the hue - the hue will be the base color from which all the tints, tones and shades will come. The scrollable color swatch palette shows but a few of the possibilities.
Choose a dominant color - this color of paint will be used on the largest surfaces. It can be chosen by matching a color found in a rug, fabric or piece of artwork. This paint color will be seen the most, it sets the tone for the room.
Create a color palette - from the dominant color or hue select the lighter and darker values. Having enough difference between two colors is important, if two colors are too similar but different they may look awkward next to each other. Increase the intensity of one of them.
Find contrast - small areas of light colors on dark backgrounds and small areas of dark colors on light backgrounds create accents, contrast and visual appeal.
Accents - choose important areas or interesting elements to highlight with the contrasting colors. White, gray and black can be used with many hues to create accents.
Application - choose colors for the walls, ceilings, woodwork, cabinetry, bookcases and each element of the room. Interesting elements can be highlighted with accent colors while elements less appealing can be painted the dominant color to hide them or cause them to fade into the background. The color and its value on the largest areas will set the tone for the room. Large expanses of light color will make the room appear light and large expanses of dark colors will make the room appear dark.
Colors displayed on computer monitors and printers are not 100% accurate matches to manufacturers paint colors. Final selection of the paint color should only be made after seeing and testing the actual paint.
