In interior design, color was long overshadowed by neutral tones such as white, grey, and beige. While the idea of simple and timeless spaces often left color in the background, this approach has begun to change in recent years. Color is no longer merely a decorative detail; it is once again emerging as an important design element that defines the atmosphere, perception, and character of a space.
Color Changes the Perception of Space
The effect of color in a space is not purely visual. The tones used can
make an area appear larger, smaller, warmer, or calmer. While lighter colors
create a sense of spaciousness, darker tones can add depth and give a space a
stronger character.
The Relationship Between Color and Material
The effect of color changes depending on the material on which it is used.
The same tone can take on a different character when applied to wood, metal,
glass, or textile surfaces. Matte and textured surfaces can make a color appear
softer, while glossy surfaces can create a more vivid and striking effect.
For this reason, color selection should not be considered separately from
material selection. Considering the two together helps create a more cohesive
design language throughout the space.
How Does Light Change Color?
Lighting plays an important role in how a color is perceived. The direction
and intensity of daylight, as well as the character of artificial lighting, can
cause the same color to appear differently at different times of the day.
This effect becomes even more noticeable across large wall and ceiling
surfaces. When color and lighting are designed together, the texture of
surfaces and the depth of a space can be brought forward more effectively.
Color Moves to the Ceiling
The shift toward greater use of color is not limited to walls. Ceilings,
which have traditionally been left predominantly white, are now becoming part
of the overall design language of a space.
Colored ceiling surfaces can create a strong focal point in a simple
interior or contribute to a more cohesive atmosphere when combined with walls
and other surfaces. Particularly in suspended ceiling systems, exploring
different color and surface options can transform the ceiling from a purely
technical element into an active part of the design.
Bold Colors, Balanced Spaces
The renewed importance of color does not mean using multiple strong colors
in every space. On the contrary, successful use of color often comes from
combining a few tones in the right proportions.
Repeating a color across different surfaces, balancing it with neutral
tones, or using it as an accent in smaller details can create visual continuity
throughout a space. What matters is not how much color is used, but how it
relates to the other elements of the space.
The return of color to interiors also reflects a growing interest in more
personal and characterful spaces. White, grey, and beige remain strong choices,
but they are no longer the defining elements of a single design language. Color
has once again become one of the ways in which a space expresses itself.
References:
Eight vibrantly
colored interior design projects selected by Domus
