Are you in the process of creating a new website? Want to ensure your website design project is a success by choosing the best colour scheme?

White Corner Creative share their guide to choosing a colour scheme for your website in this infographic.

Here’s a quick summary of what they think you need:

• 2 dark colours
• 2 light colours
• 1 bold colour
• 1 neutral colour
• 1 contrast colour

Check out the infographic for more detail.

 

Designing a website can be a daunting task, especially if you’re not a professional designer. One of the key elements of web design that can make or break the overall look and feel of your site is the colour scheme. Choosing the right colours for your website is crucial for creating a visually appealing and cohesive design. In this blog post, we will walk you through a step-by-step process on how to choose a website colour scheme, even if you’re not a designer.

Understanding the Basics of Colour Theory

Before you start picking colours for your website, it’s important to have a basic understanding of colour theory. Colour theory is a set of principles that guides the use of colour in art and design. While you don’t need to be an expert, having some knowledge of these principles can help you make informed decisions about your website’s colour scheme.

Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Colors

The primary colours are red, blue, and yellow. These colours cannot be created by mixing other colours and are used as the foundation for all other colours. Secondary colours, such as green, orange, and purple, are created by mixing two primary colours. Tertiary colours are the result of mixing a primary colour with a secondary colour.

The Color Wheel

The color wheel is a visual representation of how colours relate to each other. It can be a useful tool when choosing a colour scheme. Colors that are next to each other on the color wheel are called analogous colours and tend to create a harmonious and cohesive look. Complementary colours, on the other hand, are located opposite each other on the color wheel and can create a striking contrast when used together.

Warm and Cool Colors

Warm colours like red, orange, and yellow tend to evoke feelings of warmth, energy, and excitement. Cool colours like blue, green, and purple are calming and can create a sense of relaxation. Understanding the emotional impact of warm and cool colours can help you choose the right colours for your website based on the mood you want to convey.

Defining Your Brand’s Personality

Your website’s colour scheme should align with your brand’s personality and values. Take some time to define what your brand stands for and the message you want to convey to your audience. Is your brand playful and fun, or is it more serious and professional? Your choice of colours should reflect these characteristics.

Color Psychology

Color psychology is the study of how colours can influence human emotions and behavior. Different colours can evoke different feelings and associations. For example, blue is often associated with trust and reliability, while red can signify passion and excitement. Consider the emotional impact of your chosen colours and whether they align with your brand’s message.

Gathering Inspiration

Now that you have a basic understanding of colour theory and have defined your brand’s personality, it’s time to gather inspiration for your website’s colour scheme. Here are some ways to find inspiration:

1. Look at Competitors

Take a look at websites of competitors or businesses in a similar industry. Analyze their colour choices and think about what works and what doesn’t. While you don’t want to copy their colours exactly, you can draw inspiration from their choices and adapt them to fit your brand.

2. Create a Mood Board

A mood board is a visual collage of images, colours, and textures that represent the look and feel you want to achieve. You can create a physical mood board by cutting out pictures from magazines or create a digital one using tools like Pinterest. Collect images and colours that resonate with your brand’s personality and vision.

3. Use Online Color Palette Generators

There are many online tools and websites that can help you generate color palettes based on your preferences. These tools often provide suggested colour combinations that work well together. Some popular options include Adobe Color Wheel, Coolors, and Canva’s color palette generator.

Choosing Your Website’s Primary Colour

Your website’s primary colour is the dominant colour that will be used for headings, buttons, and other important elements. Here are some tips for choosing your primary colour:

1. Start with Your Brand’s Colors

If your brand already has a set of established colours in its logo or marketing materials, consider using one of these colours as your primary colour. This will help create consistency and brand recognition across all your online and offline materials.

2. Consider Color Accessibility

Accessibility is an important consideration when choosing colours for your website. Ensure that your primary colour has good contrast with text to make your content easy to read. Tools like the WebAIM Contrast Checker can help you determine if your chosen colour meets accessibility standards.

3. Test Different Options

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different colours for your primary colour. Create mockups or prototypes of your website with different primary colours and see which one looks the best and aligns with your brand’s personality.

Selecting Secondary and Accent Colors

Once you have chosen your primary colour, it’s time to select secondary and accent colours that complement it. These colours will be used for backgrounds, borders, and other design elements. Here are some considerations when choosing secondary and accent colours:

1. Stick to a Limited Palette

It’s generally a good practice to limit the number of secondary and accent colours you use. A palette with too many colours can make your website look cluttered and chaotic. Stick to a maximum of two or three secondary and accent colours to maintain a clean and cohesive design.

2. Use Analogous or Complementary Colors

Refer back to the color wheel and consider using analogous colours (colors that are next to each other on the wheel) or complementary colours (colors that are opposite each other on the wheel) for your secondary and accent colours. This can create a visually pleasing and balanced color scheme.

3. Test for Accessibility

Just like with your primary colour, ensure that your secondary and accent colours meet accessibility standards. Test the contrast between these colours and text to ensure readability.

Applying Your Colour Scheme Consistently

Consistency is key when it comes to web design. Once you have chosen your primary, secondary, and accent colours, make sure to apply them consistently throughout your website. Here are some tips for maintaining consistency:

1. Create a Style Guide

A style guide is a document that outlines the specific colours, fonts, and design elements to be used on your website. It serves as a reference for you and anyone else working on your website to ensure that the design remains consistent.

2. Use CSS Variables

If you’re comfortable with CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), consider using CSS variables to define your colours. This makes it easy to update your colour scheme across your entire website by simply modifying the variables in one place.

3. Test on Different Devices

Make sure to test your website’s colour scheme on different devices and screen sizes to ensure that it looks good and is readable on all platforms. What may look great on a desktop computer may not translate well to a mobile device.

Getting Feedback

Before finalizing your website’s colour scheme, it’s a good idea to get feedback from others. Share your design with friends, colleagues, or online design communities and ask for their opinions. Fresh perspectives can help you identify any issues or improvements that you may have missed.

Conclusion

Choosing a website colour scheme when you’re not a designer may seem challenging, but with some basic knowledge of colour theory, a clear understanding of your brand’s personality, and careful consideration of accessibility and consistency, you can create a visually appealing and effective design. Remember to gather inspiration, test different options, and seek feedback to refine your colour scheme until it perfectly represents your brand and engages your audience. Your website’s colours are a powerful tool for conveying your message and creating a memorable online presence, so choose them wisely. Happy designing!