A more detailed look at examples of color schemes in practical uses.
Analogous Schemes
First up we have A purple/blue-themed kitchen & dining area. These colors go well with earth tones, like the floors, cabinets and table.
Following that is a lt. green/yellow top floor of a bi-level. The light wall colors fuse well with the light floors and cabinets.
Complementary Designs
Complementary colors are great for when you want colors to pop. Lt. blue and orange create a strong impression, while yellow and dark blue give a mellow feel.
Monochromatic Arrangements
These colors are great for creating strong contrast, or drawing attention to a particular area of the room.
Triad Layouts
These are harder to implement, but can achieve great results. One color should be dominant, and the others used to accent.