Color Psychology in Interior Design

Posted by Cathy Alberich on

chThe colours we choose for our home, business or office are a direct reflection of our personality. Some of us consider it a key element in design and having a comfortable, productive or relaxing space.


Truth is, it has been proven by psychology that it affects us every day. The colour scheme of a room influences our mood and our thoughts, this is the result of colour perception and its effects on the human brain.


There is no doubt that the colours that are chosen for a project should be carried out in conjunction with the analysis of this theory and the use for each room. This is a great opportunity for you to decorate or incorporate them in your space depending on how you want to feel.

Without further ado, let's begin.

Beige and neutrals

These colours are usually the base of every design as they will pair well with any palette. They are frequently used for walls and floors but also larger furniture. They are reliable, discreet, elegant, and flexible.


Beige is neutral, calm, and relaxing. It has the advantage of being able to change its attributes depending on the colour we pair it with, but its virtue lies in its flexibility: Add colour details to generate feelings of joy and energy or darker hues for a sense of serenity.


Red

Red expresses feelings of energy, alertness, strength, power, and determination, but also passion, desire and love. The various shades of red are light red, representing joy, sexuality, sensitivity to passion, and love. Deep red means romance, love, and friendship. Reddish brown is associated with harvest and fall, and dark red is associated with vigour, willpower, leadership, and courage. It is an excellent option as an added detail for meeting rooms and high energy companies.


It is important to know that red increases the energy of a room and is a good option when an owner wants to awaken emotion and creativity, it also stimulates conversation and creates a strong first impression. Be careful with its use, because out of context in rooms dedicated to rest and relaxation, such as bedrooms or meditation lounges, this colour should be your last option.

Pink

 

Pink, on the other hand, represents compassion, nurturing, and love, and depending on the hue, it can make a room playful and warm.

Pink is generally used for children's rooms and in the beauty industry. The right shade can also bring a calming effect.

It is a great accent colour, as well as a highlighter if used as dark and bright. While the creative use of pink can really liven up a space, it can just as easily overwhelm it. It is a colour that when accompanied by contrasting or golden tones can evoke luxury and glamour.

Orange

 

Orange is associated with joy, the sun, and tropical motif. It represents enthusiasm, fascination, happiness, creativity, determination, attraction, success, encouragement, and stimulation. It's a somewhat polarizing colour, and people either love it or hate it.

Like red, orange stimulates the appetite and is a great colour for the kitchen and exercise rooms, even bathrooms to help wake us up in the morning. Bright orange adds warmth and adventure but can be overwhelming if overused. Make sure to include in muted or faded tones for a spark of warmth and sense of vacation.

Yellow

Yellow is the colour we perceive the sun and therefore associated with joy, happiness, intellect, and energy. It is an excellent option for kitchens, dining rooms, playrooms and bathrooms. In hallways, yellow can feel cozy.

When used in furniture, it creates interest and feels cheerful; however, studies show that people are more likely to lose their temper in a totally yellow interior, so it should be used sparingly and in a balanced way.

Blue

 

Blue is associated with trust, loyalty, wisdom, intelligence, royalty, faith, truth, and spirituality. Blue slows down the metabolism and has a calming effect, which is why it is considered beneficial to the mind and body when used at home or office.

Blue is said to help lower blood pressure and heart rate, it is in trend this year especially in wood treatment, accent walls and fabrics. Make sure to include throughout your home in a darker shade for a sense of serenity and luxury.

Green

Green is the colour of nature and considered the most restorative colour to the eye, green can convey a sense of calm and security when used in interior design. It symbolizes growth, harmony, freshness, and fertility, and generally makes people feel emotionally secure. Green is great for every room in the house and can have a calming effect when used properly.


Combining light green with grey can create a modern feel and using different shades in a room can add contrast. But some shades of green can evoke completely different feelings such as ambition, greed, and jealousy, while turquoise shade is associated with emotional healing and protection so make sure to explore its variations and how each one makes you feel before making a bold move.


Black

It represents the absence of colour; therefore, many do not consider it just another colour, but we cannot deny that it is a very present tone in contemporary design. It evokes elegance, distinction and is widely used as an accent. More recently it has become a predominant hue especially in kitchen cabinets, closets and accent walls in bedrooms, studios, and lofts.

The use of black requires two things: Courage and a well planned design. Black painted walls or large accents can change the look of a space completely. High ceilings and lots of natural light are prerequisites for the use of black but even the smallest spaces can look modern and elegant if all the other elements are chosen to contrast and enhance the effect of this dark favourite.

Learning about the power that colours have on our emotional states can be a highly effective tool to shape your mood, have a productive or relaxing life, even bring success to a business or company.  

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