NewInterior AI
Color Theory

Saturation

Saturation refers to the intensity or purity of a color—how vivid or muted it appears. A fully saturated color contains no gray, white, or black, displaying its hue at maximum intensity. As saturation decreases, colors become grayer and more muted. Saturation is independent of how light or dark a color is—you can have low-saturation deep colors and high-saturation pale colors. Understanding saturation is crucial for creating color schemes that work. High-saturation colors create energy and drama but can feel overwhelming in large doses. Low-saturation colors feel sophisticated and calming but may lack impact. Most successful interiors use a mix of saturation levels, with high-saturation accents punctuating lower-saturation backgrounds.

Key Characteristics

  • ✓Measures intensity or purity of color
  • ✓Independent from lightness or darkness
  • ✓Fully saturated colors have maximum intensity
  • ✓Low saturation appears grayer and muted
  • ✓Affects emotional impact of color
  • ✓Key to creating balanced color schemes

Types & Variations

Full saturation (pure, intense color)
High saturation (vivid, bright)
Medium saturation (clear but not intense)
Low saturation (muted, grayed)
Desaturated (approaching gray)

Works Well With These Styles

Varies by saturation level high for modern/bold, low for sophisticated/calm

Placement & Usage Tips

Use fully saturated colors in 10% or less of a room—in throw pillows, art, or small accent pieces. Employ medium-saturation colors for larger elements like upholstery or rugs. Choose low-saturation colors for walls and major furniture to create sophisticated, livable spaces.

💡 Pro Tip

When colors clash, the problem is usually mismatched saturation, not the hues themselves. Blue and orange can fight at full saturation but harmonize beautifully when both are muted. Match saturation levels across your palette for cohesion, regardless of which hues you choose.

Related Terms

Hue

The pure color itself, identified by its position on the color wheel, such as red, blue, or yellow.

Value

The lightness or darkness of a color, independent of its hue or saturation.

Muted Colors

Colors with reduced saturation created by adding gray, offering sophisticated alternatives to bright hues.

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