By definition, primary colors are the most basic of hues. When mixed together, these elementary colors form every other shade on the color wheel, but no other colors can be blended to create red, yellow, or blue. The primaries represent the most intense, purest forms of color, and this vibrant combination is beginning to establish itself as one of this year’s top color trends.
The playful palette received a shoutout in Sherwin-Williams’ color trend forecast for 2022, and primary colors also appeared prominently in Pantone’s predictions for next spring and summer. This resurgence of primary colors, which were broadly used throughout the postmodern movement of the 1980s, reflects a general fondness for throwback styles that we’ve seen across interior design, fashion, and pop culture.
Because of their intensity, decorating with primary colors can be tricky. To learn the strategies to pull off this daring combination, we tapped a few designers for their go-to strategies. Use these tips to stylishly decorate with a primary color scheme.
1. Use Subtle Variations of Primary Colors
In their original form, primary colors can be a bit jarring. For a subtle take on this trend, Texas-based interior designer Kim Armstrong suggests using variations of primary colors in a looser interpretation. For example, swap in turquoise for true blue, or use metallic gold finishes in place of yellow. Experiment with different shades to put your own spin on this classic color scheme.
