{"id":350108,"date":"2021-01-08T12:18:00","date_gmt":"2021-01-08T17:18:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/?p=350108"},"modified":"2024-07-01T12:15:34","modified_gmt":"2024-07-01T16:15:34","slug":"color-undertones","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/color-undertones\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Understand Color Undertones, with Examples and a Color Chart"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignfull size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-hero-1-1.jpg\" alt=\"A warm-toned living room designed by Betsy Brown\" class=\"wp-image-350129\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-hero-1-1.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-hero-1-1-525x350.jpg 525w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-hero-1-1-950x633.jpg 950w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-hero-1-1-120x80.jpg 120w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-hero-1-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-hero-1-1-1400x933.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A warm-toned <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/project\/family-home-with-a-view-adamsville-al\/183692\/\">living room designed by Betsy Brown<\/a>. Photo by Jean Allsopp<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>When it comes to color and design, there is more than meets the eye. Undertones affect the way colors interact with one another and can throw off the feel of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/interior-designers-homes\/\">perfectly curated space<\/a> if not given proper attention. Below, we\u2019ve provided an undertone color wheel and several undertone examples to help you see the value in understanding these subtle differences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-are-color-undertones\">What Are Color Undertones?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Color undertones are the subtle differences in shade that result from mixing different paint colors together. The exact hue of the undertone is determined by the amounts of each color used in the mixture. For example, a dark green can have multiple undertones depending on how it is mixed. Adding higher levels of brown paint could result in a mossy undertone, while higher levels of yellow could produce a more olive hue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is especially important to pay attention to this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/warm-neutral-colors\/\">when choosing neutrals<\/a>, whose undertones may be less obvious at first glance. The only colors that do not have undertones are the primary pigments: red, blue and yellow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"paint-undertones-vs-masstones\">Paint Undertones vs. Masstones<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A masstone is the obvious, overwhelming shade of a particular color. It&#8217;s the one you immediately recognize and can name upon seeing it, in contrast to undertones, which are subtler and more difficult to identify. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the example with dark green mentioned above, the masstone would be green and the undertones would be either yellow or brown. Colors with the same masstones but different undertones can look drastically different from one another when compared in the same space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"undertone-color-wheel\">Undertone Color Wheel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Although you may be able to identify some undertones by sight alone, such as those that differentiate a pinkish white from a brownish white, many are more difficult to spot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"950\" height=\"934\" src=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-1-950x934.jpg\" alt=\"Graphic with undertone color wheel chart\" class=\"wp-image-350110\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-1-950x934.jpg 950w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-1-356x350.jpg 356w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-1-120x118.jpg 120w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-1-768x755.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-1-949x933.jpg 949w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-1.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 950px) 100vw, 950px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Simply place your swatch next to a range of similar shades, and the undertones should come to life. When comparing reds, you\u2019ll be able to see which have orange undertones and which more-fuchsia ones; with grays, you can tell whether they have brown or blue undertones. In addition to comparing your color to a range, it can also be helpful to see it side by side with its closest pure masstone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"identifying-neutral-undertones\"><strong>Identifying Neutral Undertones<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>As mentioned earlier, neutral colors like brown, gray and beige are often the most difficult to pin down, as the undertones are subtler and less easily revealed by a color range comparison. The best way to identify a neutral color\u2019s undertones of is to compare it to a pure pigment for each color of the rainbow (red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"950\" height=\"696\" src=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-2-950x696.jpg\" alt=\"Room interior designed by Achille Salvagni Atelier that showcases cream wall color\" class=\"wp-image-350111\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-2-950x696.jpg 950w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-2-478x350.jpg 478w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-2-120x88.jpg 120w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-2-768x563.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-2-1273x933.jpg 1273w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-2.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 950px) 100vw, 950px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>When placed next to its undertone opposite, also known as its complementary color, the undertone of your color will pop. For example, the orange undertone of a beige will become obvious when placed next to the pure blue on the color wheel, as orange and blue are complementary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"undertone-examples-to-spark-your-design-creativity\">Undertone Examples to Spark Your Design Creativity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s nothing more disappointing than putting the finishing touches on your dream space only to realize that your paint undertones clash with your prized <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/designs\/arne-jacobsen-egg-chair\/\">Egg chair<\/a>, or that the morning light makes your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/furniture\/storage-case-pieces\/cabinets\/material\/rosewood\/\">rosewood cabinet<\/a> look washed out. Below are several undertone examples that showcase what proper color harmony can do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-warm-undertones-for-coziness\"><strong>1. Warm Undertones for Coziness<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Incorporating shades of orange, red and yellow creates a feeling of snugness and security. Try pairing a white wall with yellow undertones with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/buy\/red-armoire\/\">dark red armoire<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/buy\/yellow-decorative-pieces\/\">yellow decor<\/a>. Among the best areas of the home to decorate with warm undertones are the kitchen, dining room and living room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"950\" height=\"696\" src=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-3-950x696.jpg\" alt=\"Room interiors designed by Amy Lau and Studio Seiders that show examples of warm color undertones at work\" class=\"wp-image-350112\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-3-950x696.jpg 950w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-3-478x350.jpg 478w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-3-120x88.jpg 120w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-3-768x563.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-3-1273x933.jpg 1273w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-3.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 950px) 100vw, 950px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-cool-undertones-for-a-fresh-feel\"><strong>2. Cool Undertones for a Fresh Feel<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>On the opposite side of the color wheel are cool tones like blue, purple, green and gray. This set of colors evokes a fresh and invigorating energy. An example of incorporating cool undertones would be matching the accent colors in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/buy\/green-rugs\/\">green rug<\/a> with a stunning piece of blue <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/furniture\/seating\/\">seating<\/a> and a gray wall with purple undertones. Cool undertones are best suited to rooms like the bathroom, home office and bedroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"950\" height=\"696\" src=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-4-950x696.jpg\" alt=\"Room interiors designed by Studio Hus and Neal Beckstedt demonstrating the effect of cool color undertones\" class=\"wp-image-350113\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-4-950x696.jpg 950w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-4-478x350.jpg 478w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-4-120x88.jpg 120w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-4-768x563.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-4-1273x933.jpg 1273w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-4.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 950px) 100vw, 950px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-match-the-lighting-natural-or-artificial\"><strong>3. Match the Lighting: Natural or Artificial<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When choosing the undertone color scheme for your space, it\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/types-of-lighting\/\">essential to consider<\/a> the type of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/furniture\/lighting\/\">lighting<\/a> the room will be exposed to most often. Different types of light bring out different undertones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"862\" height=\"950\" src=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-6-862x950.jpg\" alt=\"Three room interiors designed by Ash NYC, Quincoces-Drag\u00f2 Partners and Tamara Eaton showing different examples of lighting interacting with undertones\" class=\"wp-image-350115\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-6-862x950.jpg 862w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-6-317x350.jpg 317w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-6-109x120.jpg 109w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-6-768x847.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-6-1393x1536.jpg 1393w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-6-846x933.jpg 846w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-6.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 862px) 100vw, 862px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Rooms with east-facing windows will experience morning light, which tends to emphasize cool undertones, while west-facing rooms will be exposed to evening light, which accentuates warm undertones. If the space doesn\u2019t receive much in the way of natural light, know that artificial lighting will highlight yellow or white colors, depending on the type of bulb used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-a-balanced-approach\"><strong>4. A Balanced Approach<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A rule of thumb used by many designers is to balance paint undertones with furniture colors to produce a feeling of harmony within the space. \u201cBalancing\u201d simply means choosing colors that are close to one another on the color wheel. In the warm and cool examples above, the red armoire blends well with the yellow paint undertone, as does the green rug with the gray walls. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"950\" height=\"696\" src=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-5-950x696.jpg\" alt=\"Room interiors designed by Alexander Doherty and Godrich Interiors showing examples of both harmonious and contrasting undertones\" class=\"wp-image-350114\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-5-950x696.jpg 950w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-5-478x350.jpg 478w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-5-120x88.jpg 120w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-5-768x563.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-5-1273x933.jpg 1273w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-5.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 950px) 100vw, 950px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>When an immaculately put-together room just feels \u201coff,\u201d it\u2019s often because two or more of the undertones are too far apart on the color wheel and so clash with one another. However, understanding how this phenomenon works can be useful in creating a statement room or to particularly emphasize a certain piece of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/furniture\/\">furniture<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Complementary colors cause their opposites to really stand out. Think of blue and orange or red and yellow. If you have a set of purple light fixtures such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/buy\/purple-pendant-light\/\">purple pendants<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/buy\/purple-sconce\/\">purple sconces<\/a> you\u2019d like to draw attention to, using a wall color with yellow undertones \u2014 purple\u2019s complementary color \u2014 can help you do just that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>View all the undertone design inspirations by clicking on the button below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-IG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"950\" height=\"127\" src=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-button-950x127.png\" alt=\"Click on this banner in order to download the 1stDibs guide to understanding color undertones\" class=\"wp-image-350116\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-button-950x127.png 950w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-button-800x107.png 800w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-button-120x16.png 120w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-button-768x102.png 768w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/wp-content\/uploads\/understanding-undertones-button.png 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 950px) 100vw, 950px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Understanding undertones is key to creating harmony within your space, curating a certain energy and drawing attention to your beloved <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/furniture\/style\/mid-century-modern\/\">mid-century modern<\/a> centerpiece, iconic <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/designs\/artichoke-lamp\/\">Artichoke lamp<\/a> or any other prized possession that deserves to stand out.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When it comes to color and design, there is more than meets the eye. Undertones affect the way colors interact with one another and can throw off the feel of a perfectly curated space if not given proper attention. Below, we\u2019ve provided an undertone color wheel and several undertone examples to help you see the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":350109,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"apple_news_api_created_at":"2021-01-09T05:51:52Z","apple_news_api_id":"9c06d5df-4889-4473-a6aa-9cb3ea36803e","apple_news_api_modified_at":"2024-06-28T19:47:00Z","apple_news_api_revision":"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQ==","apple_news_api_share_url":"https:\/\/apple.news\/AnAbV30iJRHOmqpyz6jaAPg","apple_news_cover_media_provider":"image","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_cover_video_id":0,"apple_news_cover_video_url":"","apple_news_cover_embedwebvideo_url":"","apple_news_is_hidden":"","apple_news_is_paid":"","apple_news_is_preview":"","apple_news_is_sponsored":"","apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":["https:\/\/news-api.apple.com\/sections\/8b012b20-6eb7-478f-914d-852b22a7d76e","https:\/\/news-api.apple.com\/sections\/809cd9be-c9e5-4328-a27b-758e48e35422"],"apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[106,15522093,15522073],"tags":[],"dibs-categories":[],"dibs-designs":[],"dibs-styles":[],"dibs-creators":[],"dibs-sellers":[],"class_list":["post-350108","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-design-2","category-furniture","category-interiors"],"acf":{"post_format":"article","subtitle":"When it comes to color and design, there is more than meets the eye. 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