Dimensions of Color

The basic ‘Dimensions’ of color are Hue, Value & Intensity.

The Hue is the actual color itself… (what tells us Red from Blue and so on…)

Then we have Value, it is the lightness or darkness of a color…

And, finally we have Intensity… the strength of a color…

this is how we can use this information:

The Color Key® system divides 1,406 colors equally into two separate color groups that harmonize with one another, the Cool Palette and the Warm Palette.  Once you’ve chosen a “starting” color, additional color choices are easy, using our unique Color Key® numbering system.  Your starting color may simply be a color you’re drawn to, or it may match a key element in your room, such as carpeting or window treatments.

Once you’ve chosen a starting color, look for the number appearing in the upper corner of the color swatch, or chip.  This number is the key to the Color Key® system and is the basis for all further color selections.

At first glance our Color Key® number may appear confusing… however, this notation is full of valuable information.  Our unique numbering system makes color selection easier than ever.

Familiarize yourself with the numbering system using the examples below.

Every chip has a ‘COLOR PALETTE’ designation.  For example, on the featured chips, the 2C, 4C, 4W or 5W tell us which color palette the chips come from.  The number designates one of five palettes, each with a color range, or value.

1 = White
2 = Neutral
3 or 4 = Muted Colors
5 = Brights

The C and the W following the leading number indicates whether the color is a cool color (C) or a warm color (W).  The easiest way to coordinate color is to stay within a color group – choose all your colors from either the cool or the warm group.  For more information on the difference between cool and warm colors, see our sections on Color Scale or Color Temperature.
The number immediately following the C or W represents the color family.  Colors with the same family number have similar, or neighboring, hues.  Staying within a single color family will result in a harmonious color scheme.

The last number represents the intensity of a color.  Our chips range in intensity from 1 to 5, with 1 being the lightest and 5 being the deepest shade of that particular color.  In our pictured examples, Midwinter Gray, with a color density number of 2, is much lighter than Azurine, with a color density number of 4.

Keep in mind that many other factors come into play… such as natural light from a window, other lighting sources and other elements in the room such as carpeting, will effect the overall appearance of the wall color.

Understanding each component of the number provides us with more information about every color… that can only help in guiding the selection of a perfect color choice for your home.