Our surroundings have the power to influence our emotions, behaviors, and overall mood. Even though you may not have noticed in the past, you likely associate certain colors with different rooms. Blue in the bathroom, green in the office, yellow in the kitchen—whether intentional or not, the association is usually there.
The colors around us can subtly, yet significantly, make an impact on how we feel and perform in a space. By understanding color psychology, you can transform your home into a vibrant social hub, a calm and quiet sanctuary, or anything in between.
What is Color Psychology?
Color psychology is the study of how colors affect human emotions and behavior. While every person’s associations with colors are subjective, studies have shown that most people react similarly to certain colors. Here’s a breakdown of the most common effects:
- Red: Energy and Passion. This powerful color is known to increase energy levels and excitement, which is why many associate it with anger and passion. It works well in social spaces, like dining rooms and living rooms. However, it can be overwhelming unless it’s used sparingly, so red works best as an accent color in most rooms.
- Orange: Excitement and Enthusiasm. Orange combines red’s energy and yellow’s cheerfulness (see below) to create an exciting and enthusiastic color. Though the idea of a mainly orange room may seem intimidating at first, don’t forget that there are varying shades! Using a less saturated or darker orange still makes for a bright and fun living room or playroom.
- Yellow: Happiness and Energy. This cheerful color is known to stimulate creativity and experiments. It’s perfect for kitchens, dining areas, and spaces where you want to foster a bright and lively atmosphere.
- Green: Nature and Tranquility. Green promotes a sense of balance and renewal. It’s a great color for home offices and study areas, as it promotes concentration and can help reduce eye strain. Green can also work well in living rooms and bedrooms.
- Blue: Relaxation and Serenity. Known for its calming qualities, blue can help reduce stress and promote relaxation. It’s an excellent choice for rooms where you want to create a peaceful environment, like the bathroom or bedroom.
- Purple: Luxury and Elegance. Though it’s often associated with luxury and elegance, purple doesn’t always have to be a rich color (get it?). Using a lighter shade, like lavender or lilac, can make your bedroom or bathroom more calm and relaxing.
- Grey: Sophistication and Neutrality. Grey is a popular choice in modern homes. It works well in any room and pairs with virtually any accent color. Too much grey can be boring, though—there’s a reason many associate it with sadness and gloom.
- White: Cleanliness and Simplicity. Wrapping up the list is the most versatile color. White can make spaces feel more open and airy, and brightens up a room. However, too much white can sometimes feel sterile, so make sure to include some interesting textures or accent colors!
Applying Color Psychology in Your Space
When choosing a paint color for your home, consider the mood you want to create in each room. Here are some practical tips for using different colors throughout your home:
- Define the purpose of your space. Is this room used for relaxation, work, socializing, or something else?
- Test before you commit. Paint a small section of your wall with sample colors and watch how the color changes with the light over the course of the day.
- Balance bold colors with neutrals. Avoid overwhelming the space by balancing brighter colors with neutral greys and whites.
- Consider the entire house. If you want each room of your home to have a different aesthetic, that’s up to you! However, if your colors don’t flow from room to room, the lack of cohesion may cause confusion.
- Accessorize! Use decor like cushions, rugs, and wall art to bring in color without committing to painting an entire room.
After you decide on a paint color, there’s just one more step: actually painting your house. Not to worry—you’ve made it this far, so we can take over from here. Visit https://paintersincorporated.com/ to make an appointment and finish the job.
