Color Schemes
Modified Triad

A Modified Triad Color Scheme is a three color variation of a basic Triad Color Scheme.

Any combination on a Basic Color Wheel which forms a triangle is considered a Triad. You always have three colors with at least one space between each

This definition allows three possibilities. In addition to the basic Triad and the one we're discussing here, you can also work with Complementary Triad color schemes.

Split Complementary color schemes. are technically a Triad also. But they're usually in a category by themselves.

As the triangle gets larger with more spaces between each color, the palettes will create more vibrant paint mixtures.

A Modified Triad is the smallest triangle we can form on the Basic Color Wheel. There's only one space between each Hue so the colors are quite similar.

In this example you can see Green, Blue and Violet have been selected. Of course you can move the triangle around the Basic Color Wheel and choose any three colors. They are all in a similar family of Hues and are nearly Analogous.

Even though they are closely related, the single space between each color in a Modified Triad gives them a little breathing room. There's a bit more contrast with the mixed paint colors because one of the pairs has three spaces between them. This easily creates a harmonious Color Scheme with lovely neutrals.


In our paint swatch example, Blue is the Mother Color. You also have the option of choosing either of the other two as your Mother Color. This would give you entirely different paint mixtures.

Because Blue is halfway between Green and Violet we get fairly subtle changes when you add a tiny drop of the Blue Hue to each.

Blue + Green = Blue / Green
Blue + Violet = Blue / Violet

If you want to tone down the bright Blue Mother Color, simply add a tiny drop of one or both of the other two hues. This will automatically begin to shift the brightness toward Gray in this case. That's because Green contains some Yellow and Violet contains some Red which are Complementary Colors.

The Neutral Gray to the right of the Blue is a combination of the three colors and will always be a harmonious neutral.

Remember, you can extend your range of paint colors even further by adding different amounts of White, Black or Gray to tint, shade or tone down the colors even more.

Color Scheme Tips

1. Always remember to make one of your colors dominant by using it for the largest areas in a room or design.

2. Use different brightness intensities of that dominant color plus the neutral mixture of the three colors. Change the way they look by adding white to lighten for pastels or black to darken to shades and tones.

3. For contrasting focal points and accents such as pillows and art, choose variations of the brightest non-dominant color.

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

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