Color Schemes
Complementary Triad

A Complementary Triad Color Scheme is a three-color variation of a simple Triad Color Scheme.

Just as the name implies, you start with any two Complementary Hues and then choose your third color halfway between the two in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

It still forms a triangle shape, but only uses one half of the Basic Color Wheel. There are 12 possible combinations.

In our example here, I've started with Red Mother Color, gone across the Color Wheel to its Complement Green and then clockwise halfway to complete the Triad with Yellow / Orange.

A Complementary Triad palette is fairly easy to harmonize. Remember that two pairs of the Hues are always relatively close to each other so they go well together. In our example, Red is only two spots away from Yellow / Orange. Green is also only two spots away from Yellow / Orange.

Since the third pair Red and Green are Complementary Colors, you are able to create beautiful neutrals which go well with either of the other two colors.


In this paint swatch example, you can see how adding a tiny drop of the Red Mother Color to it's Complementary Green immediately tones it down. If you ever want to have a toned down Red in your Color Scheme simply add a tiny drop of Green to it. And vice versa works too.

Notice when you add the Red to Yellow / Orange, you simply brighten things up because they are so close to begin with.

Red + Green = Khaki Green or Brownish Red
Red + Yellow / Orange = Bright Orange
Red + Green + Yellow / Orange = Warm Brown

The warm Neutral Brown to the right of the Red is a combination of the three colors and will always be a harmonious neutral.

If you wanted to tone down the brightness of the newly created Orange on the bottom row, simply add a tiny drop of Green. This will automatically begin to shift the brightness toward Brown because the new Orange has Red in it.

Remember that you can extend your range of paint colors even further by adding various amounts of White, Black or Grey to create Tints, Shades or Tones.

Creating Better Color Schemes

1. Always remember to make one of your colors dominant by using it for the largest areas.

2. Use various intensities of that dominant color plus the neutral mixture of the three colors. Change the way they look by adding white to lighten or black to darken.

3. For contrasting accents such as pillows and art, choose the brightest non-dominant color plus the toned down version of the third color.

4. A handy rule of thumb is to use neutralized color for about 60% of the area. Then use mid-intensity color for about 30% and bright accents for about 10%.

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