Adding Colour To Life

Three designers present their take on using colour in interiors. At Design Dekko, a collaborative platform hosted by Godrej, Nishita Kamdar, Sarah Sham and Richa Bahl give us an insight into how they use colour in their projects.

- Devyani Jayakar

Think about a world without colour – one that exists in just black and white, with shades of grey. While this colour palette has been occasionally used to great effect in interior spaces, most designers would agree that colour adds a rather indispensable element to any space. The wand of colour can indeed be wielded with great drama as well as poise and restraint.

Without going into technicalities of the colour wheel, do understand that colours can be warm, cool or neutral in their ‘temperature.’ They can calm and soothe or energise and invigorate. Colour can make a space look large, or conversely, make it an enveloping cocoon. Small splashes of colour in a neutral canvas add a sense of style, without the commitment that large swathes demand.

An understanding of colour psychology and symbolism play an important role while choosing colours for interior spaces in different settings for different functions. Colour is used differently depending upon the surface it covers eg. floors, walls, ceiling, architectural features, doors, upholstery, furniture, artwork, etc.

The tints, tones and shades of any colour are important. Personal preferences and cultural associations also play a key role in defining the character of the space based on the use of colour. The amount of colour used in a space may vary, affecting its character and appearance. For instance, a red accent can be used to highlight or focus on an artefact, whereas large areas in red may be difficult to live with in a home. However, the same red can work well in public spaces when used on large surfaces. An ingress of natural light will also modulate the acceptability of any colour. Don’t forget that colour can come through wood finishes, tapestry, veneers, laminates, etc.