If you’re inspired by bold-colored walls in an interior design magazine, consider how you’ll feel after the paint’s dried. Whether it’s fact or fiction, many psychologists and home design experts claim that wall color can affect your mood.
How color psychology applies to your décor decisions
Color psychology basically explores how different colors can affect our emotions. According to the Pantone Color Think Tank website, “The psychological association of a color is often more meaningful than the visual experience … Scientists have found that actual physiological changes take place in human beings when they are exposed to certain colors. Colors can stimulate, excite, depress, tranquilize, increase appetite, and create a feeling of warmth or coolness.”
With that said, everybody’s different. If you’re like me and pay sky-high rent for a small space, choosing just one color for a living/dining/guest room that’s also a home office can be tricky. A multipurpose room’s likely the place where you spend most of your time, so it’s really important to get it right.
Before heading to the hardware store in search of the perfect paint swatch, find out how the following colors might make you feel your best no matter what room you’re hanging in.
Colors and their (possible) emotional side effects
Green
As nature’s favorite shade, green is believed to channel tranquility and revitalization. It’s great for any area where you like to unwind from your daily hustle, unroll your yoga mat, or nestle up with a book.
Yellow
Soft-yellow walls are said to evoke happiness and cheer, so any space that’s well lived-in is a great spot to apply sunny hues. But too much can definitely be a bad thing. A lot of yellow in one room (think walls, accessories, and furniture) has been thought to cause agitation. Be sure to find the right balance for your space.
Red
Rumor has it that painting your bedroom red is bound to ruin your diet, because it’s thought to make you feel hungry, even when you’re not. Red’s fiery hue could also create a buzz of energy in a room, which could make for lively conversation over dinner.
Blue
Blue’s calming effects may actually stimulate creativity. Consider bringing blue hues into your home office, music room, or craft corner. Its chill vibes just might be able to break through your writers’ block.
Purple
Often associated with royalty, purple is said to work best in a room where you want to feel luxurious, making it a great choice for the space where you’d host a dinner party, show off décor, or primp at a vanity.
Orange
Believed to be happy and energetic, orange is the perfect paint color to pump up your exercise area. If the vibrance is overwhelming to you, consider adding just a touch with bold orange artwork.
Pink
Light pink reportedly has a soothing effect. You might want to consider adding the relaxed vibes of light pink to a child’s playroom. If you’re not crazy about wall-to-wall pink, adding some pink flourishes to any space might also do the trick.
Brown
Some claim that brown carries a warmth that elicits a cozy, intimate feeling, so it’s ideal for a room that’s used for gathering. It also complements natural shades of stone, so it’s a great color to consider if you’re looking to refresh the wall behind your fireplace.
White
Do you have a room with claustrophobic dimensions? You might be able to give it an airy feel with bright white walls! While some consider white walls to be boring, home designers love working with white because it can open up even the smallest of spaces.
Gray
Gray’s a strong, practical color that can induce a feeling of serenity. It’s best used as a base to let brighter colors pop in your home. It might be pegged as too serious for certain rooms, but gray can sing on its own anywhere from the bedroom to the study.
How does your home fall in line with color psychology?
Now that you’ve scoped the list, are you a believer? Do any rooms in your home evoke these color-based feelings? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
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While you’re at it, you may as well find out what your car color says about your personality.
Did you know that the color of your car could be a magnet for bird poop?