How to create the best colour scheme for everyone

Tony Walker, technical manager of specification at Johnstone's, provides some simple rules that can help specifiers to create colour schemes that work for everyone.

An increasingly important issue when creating colour schemes is the consideration of how easily and safely partially sighted people can navigate the area.

The Building Regulations Approved Document Part M provides guidance on the usage and access provisions that must be considered to meet the requirements highlighted in the Disability Discrimination Act.

More help to build colour confidence can be obtained from the Colour Advisory Team at Johnstone's.

According to Walker, customers must remember to compare and contrast; when choosing a colour scheme to meet the needs of partially sighted people, it is vital that colours not only complement each other but also provide a good level of contrast.

The best way to achieve this is to actually imagine how colours would look in black and white.

For example, if a bright red and a bright blue were photocopied in black and white, the colour differential in the shade of grey would be nominal.

However, if the customer then repeated the exercise with light and dark blue, the difference between the shades of grey would be significant.

As many partially sighted people rely on visual clues for navigation, such colour contrasts play a vital role as using colours of the same tonal value may appear to be the same.

Second, customers should take time to reflect; to ensure that the sufficient contrast of colour is achieved for critical surfaces such as floors and walls that are adjacent to one another, understanding light reflective values (LRVs) is important.

The LRV of a colour relates to the amount of visible light that is reflected when illuminated by a light source, but it also tells the user how much light that particular colour absorbs.

On a scale from zero to 100 per cent, where zero is assumed to be an absolute black and 100 to be a perfectly reflective white, as a rule it is recommended that there is a difference of approximately 30 points between the colours.

However, it is also possible to achieve sufficient contrast using shades that have a 25-point difference.

To facilitate easier colour selection, the Johnstone's NCS colour selector states the LRV of all colours, while the company's Colour Consultancy can help to identify bespoke solutions.

Ensuring a colour contrast between walls and floors aids navigation as it helps partially sighted people clearly see the direction of the walkway.

However, it is important that other features of a room are also easily identifiable.

For example, it is equally important to have enough contrast between the walls and the ceiling so that the person can better understand the size and height of the room.

Other features that should be highlighted through the use of contrasting colours include any exposed edges to sloping floors, seating, doors and door furniture, sanitary fittings and grab bars as well as electrical sockets and light switches.

As both natural and artificial light can affect colour in different ways, another important factor to consider when creating a colour scheme is the way in which a room is illuminated.

For example, fluorescent lighting can make certain colours appear harsh or cool, whereas daylight can create glare.

Ensuring that lighting is bright and even will help create a more accessible environment.

Consideration should therefore be given to replacing unsuitable sources of artificial lighting.

As well as considering colours, the choice of paint finish also has an important role to play.

As shiny surfaces can cause confusion, a matt or mid-sheen paint finish should be used to maximise the benefits of colour contrast.

Designs should also be kept as simple as possible and the use of mixed, confusing patterns or stripes avoided.

To help specifiers and professional painting contractors understand how colour can be used to create welcoming and accessible interiors, Johnstone's offers a range of support services.

Back to top