Color Restraint In Web Design

"Less is more." That expression, credited to renowned architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe has a fitting application to the use of color in web design. A restrained or limited color palette often contributes to a more effective and tasteful web design.

The "real estate" or viewing area of a web browser window is restricted, quite like being in a small room. Interior designers strive to create an 'airy' open feel that makes small rooms feel larger. To achieve this, they usually stick to simpler color palettes in small spaces, with a preference for pastels or neutrals. It is quite the same in web design.

With the limited space we have for content in a web page, simple, clean color palettes using neutral or pastel colors has the effect of creating an 'airy' open feeling. Here is an example of this principle in action:

In this web design we wanted to create an enhanced sense of luxury and openness. We choose what is basically a one color palette. The tan base color is repeated on all pages of the site and provides the foundation for the graphic elements in this design. Even when the web page contains numerous elements, the restrained color palette makes the design feel light and open.

Color restraint is an effective way to convey a sense of luxury and elegance to American and European audiences.

Donald Peterson