Color can certainly enhance the visual world, including our home’s interior. It shapes our understanding of the environment as it adds definition and distinction to all things. According to theory of colors, different hues can truly promote various feelings and emotions. And when it comes to interior design color psychology, this can make or break a space. Read on as we explore the perfect colors for every room of your house and the emotions they evoke!
The Color Emotion Guide
The psychological effects of color may surprise you. Whether you go all-out with a color scheme or add a pop, like a bold accent wall, you’re certainly sure to feel its impact. Furthermore, color theory and the psychology behind it shines a light on how the visual world influences people individually.
As a result, you can breathe new life into a dreary old room or transform your entire interior with color. First, pick the effect, feeling, or mood you want to evoke in each room. Then, move on to identifying the corresponding color palette using our quick guide on color psychology below.
Interior Design Color Psychology 101
Color psychology in interior design is about the close connection between colors and emotion. That is, it relates to how tones affect the human brain. It’s one of the most powerful interior design tools – having more of an impact on a room’s mood than any other factor. For instance, something as small as changing the kitchen cabinet color can make a substantial difference.
However, two people could react differently to the same shade. Studies have proven that the psychological effects of color on human behavior vary from person to person. So, carefully consider the atmosphere you want for every room in your home. Thereafter, chat with your live-in family to see if they’re on board. This way everyone is bound to love the spaces they inhabit.
Need some help apply color psychology to your interior design? Then, schedule your Free Interior Design Consultation to learn more today!
Colors and Feelings: Setting the Mood of Your Room
By and large, warm tones like red, orange, and maroon make people feel passionate or energized. Cool tones like green, blue and purple, on the other hand, have a relaxing effect. And finally, neutral tones like gray and white usually leave people feeling serene.
The psychological effects of color are certainly plentiful and exciting. In fact, the right shade can certainly spruce up an interior – especially when matched with the right room!
The Vigor of White
White is an often under-appreciated color but has immense power in interior design. t’s light and bright, acts as a universal neutralizer, and works wonders for adding highlights. If you want to make a small room seem far larger than it is, white is certainly the way to go.
Furthermore, other design elements that pair especially well with white include glass and wooden accents, as well as pops of black to create balance. Do you want to incorporate more white into a room while on a budget? Then consider adding some gorgeous white flowers in white pots.
Additionally, white is symbolic of cleanliness, the simple life, and helps to reduce tension. It’s certainly a versatile color that can be used to great effect in nearly every space in your home.
Consider white for your:
- Kitchen
- Bathroom
- Bedroom
- Dining room
- Living room
Emotions associated with white color psychology in interior design:
- Peace
- Tranquility
- Harmony
- Creativity
- Elegance
Go Green & Bring the Outdoors Inside
Green is closely associated with the natural world. Similarly, it’s a positive color that stimulates thoughts of growth, restoration, and balance. For instance, if you live in a city with little to no greenery around you, adding green hues to your home will help bring the freshness of nature indoors.
According to color psychology, green interior design tends to have a relaxing effect, helping to lower blood pressure and hypertension. That’s why green, teal, or mint make the perfect wall color for spaces where you want to open up your mind.
There are also many gorgeous shades available, ranging from a deep emerald to zesty lime. Of course, various shades will evoke different emotions. Yet, tranquility remains at their core. As a result, this makes green one of the most versatile colors. Light green promotes feelings of calm, while olive is closely associated with harmony and peace. Dark green, on the other hand, is often linked to indulgence, prosperity, and money.
Consider green for your:
- Kitchen
- Study
- Business property
Emotions associated with green color psychology include:
- Fertility
- Growth
- Ambition
- Safety
- Calmness
Bold, Daring, Passionate Red
No other color can arouse quite such a spectrum of emotions as red. Plenty of positive qualities are attached to the color red, like willpower, ambition, and action. Yet spaces decorated in red also exude close bonds of friendship and love. Even just a splash of red undoubtedly adds excitement and a certain fieriness.
However, depending on the hue and room red is used in, it can have different effects. So, to offset negative emotions associated with red, such as anger, combine it with a soothing and neutral beige or white.
Consider red for your:
- Creative spaces
- Living room
- Bedroom
- Kitchen
Emotions associated with red color psychology include:
- Passion
- Desire
- Courage
- Determination
- Leadership
Lively Yellow
Synonymous with sunshine, yellow is an unmistakably happy color. Its close ties with gold means that yellow also holds similar traits. These include prosperity, intelligence, and sophistication, for example.
Bright yellows are certainly uplifting – but be sure to use them sparingly! Rooms decorated floor to ceiling in yellow can overstimulate emotions. It can also cause blood pressure levels to spike and, in turn, lead to deep agitation. However, yellow is still one of the best hues for brightening up gloomy corners of an interior.
Consider yellow for your:
- Hallway
- Bathroom
- Dining room
- Kitchen
Emotions associated with yellow color psychology include:
- Joy
- Productivity
- Optimism
- Care
- Encouragement
Blue Makes Everything Better
Favorite color to many, blue is also a winner in interior design color psychology. Here, the psychological effects of color are far-reaching. Incorporating blue tones into an interior holds plenty of health benefits according to color psychology. For instance, it relaxes and calms the mind, slowing down your metabolism, heart rate, hypertension, and blood pressure. The color is good for mental health as well.
From powder blue to navy, many shades work well throughout a home, especially alongside other colors. When using blue in a small or dark space, keep it from feeling cold by adding some warmer colors too.
Consider blue for your:
- Dining room
- Kitchen
- Playroom
- Bedroom
- Bathroom
Emotions associated with blue color psychology in interior design include:
- Tranquility
- Wisdom
- Elegance
- Prosperity
- Luxury
Enjoy the Best of Both with Orange
Orange shares many emotive qualities with fellow warm colors, red and yellow. Most of its shades also have a positive effect on the human mind. Why? Orange symbolizes both nature and sunshine. It inspires and stimulates appetite, desire, creativity, and love. Many people also find that orange calms them.
And what’s not to love? The color evokes images of sipping on tropical drinks on the beach after all! Nevertheless, be sure to use complementary or neutral tints when toning down the more extreme qualities of orange, like overstimulation.
Consider orange for your:
- Bedroom
- Indoor and outdoor dining areas
- Home gym or exercise area
Emotions associated with orange color psychology include:
- Warmth
- Optimism
- Encouragement
- Healing
- Pleasure
Black: The Timeless Classic
Black isn’t only for accents. Use it as the primary color in a room and see the space transformed into one of mystery, drama, and power. Moreover, its neutrality certainly makes black a guaranteed sleek and sophisticated interior design choice. This is especially true when paired with modern and industrial architecture.
However, to balance the atmosphere, don’t opt for an all-black space. Instead, pair it with a light and softer color for a less overwhelming, far more pleasing ambiance.
Consider black for your:
- Bathroom
- Kitchen
- Dining room
- Living room
Emotions associated with black color psychology include:
- Functionality
- Protectiveness
- Elegance
- Efficiency
- Beauty
Embrace Regality with Purple
Aside from purple’s regal color meaning in psychology, it is also extraordinarily versatile. Depending on the tone, it can be either a masculine or a feminine color. However, no matter what the shade, purple certainly brings a real sense of presence to a space.
What’s more, in color psychology, purple is known to inspire creativity. So, be sure to incorporate the color into spaces intended for a creative outlet.
Consider purple for your:
- Foyer
- Dressing room or walk-in closet
- In-house art studio
- Kitchen
- Living room
Emotions associated with purple color psychology include:
- Elegance
- Luxury
- Depth
- Relaxation
- Drama
Gray: The Controversial Choice
Although gray is elegant and stylish in the psychology of colors, it is controversial. The reason is that gray is more prone to affect individuals differently. Where some may find it calming, others find it depressing. And this all comes down to its undertone – warm or cool. Nonetheless, when paired with the correct complementary tones, it can be easily balanced and pleasant for everyone.
Create a warm and welcoming space by adding gray furniture to a light and sunny room. Alternatively, use a neutral gray as a subtle wall color or through textiles in vibrant colors schemes.
Consider gray for your:
- Bedroom
- Living room
- Bathroom
Emotions associated with gray color psychology include:
- Strength
- Sophistication
- Determination
- Functionality
- Simplicity
Pink – Not Just for Girls
Paired with a good design, any shade of pink can truly create a loving and compassionate atmosphere. It’s also possible to successfully incorporate pink into a masculine space. Besides, pink doesn’t mean girly. You can certainly make a statement through sophisticated designs, simple patterns, secondary colors, and classy, fuss-free furniture.
Additionally, keep in mind that vibrant shades and natural tones, like red and white, complement pink. It also helps prevent the color from seeming too sugary sweet.
Consider pink for your:
- Bathroom
- Living room
- Teenage daughter’s bedroom
Emotions associated with pink color psychology include:
- Nurturing
- Sensitivity
- Warmth
- Comfort
- Cleanliness
Need some help perfecting your interior design color psychology?
Sometimes choosing the right hues and color palettes for your home can be tricky. So schedule a Free Interior Design Consultation to learn more about working with an interior design expert today!
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