Color is one of the most nuanced elements in any design, and the English language doesn’t make it easy. We have maybe a dozen everyday words for color, but color itself has dozens of distinct properties. The result is a lot of “you know what I mean” conversations that somehow end in the wrong wall paint.

The good news is that you don’t need a degree in color theory to fix this, you just need to master five concepts.

Whatever color you want it to be!

Click through to read our take on “color of the year.”

Looking to go green? Green continues to be one of the most versatile and beloved colors in interior design. There are so many gorgeous shades, though, that it can be difficult to know where to begin choosing the best green for your space.

When you think of “warm colors” vs “cool colors,” chances are you imagine a color wheel that’s split in half, with warm colors on one side and cool on the other. End of story, right?