Welcome to part 2 of our blog series about the power of colour. If you missed part 1, we suggest you give it a read as it covers the basics of the 7 different colour palettes and the 60-30-10 rule. In this instalment, we will delve deeper into each colour individually and explore how they can affect your mood and emotions. From the soothing qualities of blue to the energy of red, we will show you how to use colour to create the perfect ambiance in your home. So, let's get started and discover the power of colour!
COLOURS AND YOUR MOOD
Colours have a profound impact on our emotions, influencing our moods, behaviours, and perceptions in subtle but significant ways. From the warm glow of a sunrise to the cool tranquillity of a deep blue ocean, colours have the power to evoke specific emotions and set the tone for our experiences.
We'll explore the fascinating connection between colours and mood, delving into the ways in which different hues can influence our thoughts and feelings. Whether you're looking to create a calming sanctuary or boost your energy and focus, understanding the effects of colour can help you design a space that supports your emotional well-being.
BLUE
Blue is a versatile colour with many positive connotations. It is often seen as calming and reflective, making it perfect for creating a peaceful home environment. It can help people relax and promotes better sleep, making it ideal for use in bedrooms and bathrooms.
Additionally, blue is believed to stimulate intellectual thought and is considered the best colour for studying. In fact, studies have shown that students exposed to blue before an exam achieve better results.
Blue also works well in corporate environments. Banks and businesses use blue as their signature colour due to its association with trust, reliability, and stability. However, too much blue can make a room feel cold and unwelcoming, therefore, it is essential to balance it with warm undertones, such as yellows and creams.
Overall, blue is a colour of depth and perception, bringing a sense of security and order to any space. Whether you're designing a corporate office, studying for an exam, or creating a calming home environment, blue is an excellent colour choice that is sure to enhance your experience.
RED
Red is a colour that evokes a range of emotions. It is vibrant and warm, often associated with passion and love. Additionally, it can be perceived as aggressive and energetic.
One of the benefits of red is that it stimulates the appetite, making it a popular choice for restaurants and dining rooms.
It is also believed to increase energy levels and promote accuracy and caution, making it ideal for use in study areas and creative spaces.
Red is often used in cinemas and theatres to create excitement, and in casinos to encourage people to take risks.
It is often associated with bold design schemes, however, it can also be used as an accent colour in textiles and furniture. It is important to use it strategically, as it can be overpowering in smaller spaces, and can also increase your heart rate.
Overall, red is a colour that represents passion, optimism, and adventure. Whether you are looking to create a lively dining space or a powerful home office, red is a versatile colour that can enhance any room.
ORANGE
Orange is a warm and friendly colour that is commonly associated with socialising, fun, and wholesomeness.
It is a youthful and invigorating colour that promotes activity and is commonly used in gyms and active wear brands because of its motivational and energetic qualities. This is why many architects and designers seem to have a preference for using orange in their designs.
When it comes to room colour psychology, orange is believed to be a great colour for promoting creativity. The warmth of the colour can energise and inspire you, especially if the shade is vibrant. Additionally, orange promotes a sense of cheerfulness and can create a welcoming atmosphere for visitors, which makes it an ideal colour choice for hallways, kitchens, and bathrooms.
Despite not being everyone's first choice, orange is one of the friendliest colours and can give guests a warm and enthusiastic welcome.
YELLOW
Yellow is a vibrant colour that exudes happiness, stimulates, and energises. It's often associated with idealists and joyful people and is known to improve concentration, making it popular among intellectuals. Additionally, it's said to encourage spending.
Yellow has a warm, positive energy that makes it an excellent choice for kitchens, dining rooms, and bathrooms. If you're looking to brighten up a small, enclosed space that lacks natural light, consider painting it a sunny shade of yellow. This cheerful colour is linked to feelings of optimism and happiness and can be like a substitute for sunshine. However, it's important to choose the right shade of yellow, as overly bright hues can lead to frustration, while dull yellows can cause jealousy and affect well-being. Studies have also shown that couples tend to fight more, and babies cry more often in yellow rooms.
Overall, yellow can be a great colour choice, however, to achieve the perfect balance in the space, consider incorporating some touches of purple and neutral tones.
GREEN
Green is a colour associated with nature, harmony, and healing. There is a wide range of greens to choose from, as nature provides us with an abundance of choices. In home design, green is popular as it imparts a sense of freshness, growth, and vitality, making people feel safe and secure. It also has a soothing impact on children and has been proven to improve their reading speed and understanding, whilst also reducing anxiety, and reminds us of the great outdoors.
Soft muted tones have a gentle and comforting effect, making them perfect for spaces like bedrooms or dining rooms, while darker shades in a bedroom can make you feel sluggish in the morning. For a contemporary look, consider pairing warmer earthy neutrals with deeper hues, or mixing green with blue or pale pinks to avoid feelings of envy or jealousy that large doses of green can cause.
Green is suitable for almost any room in the house and stimulates thoughts of balance, growth, and restoration in colour psychology. It encourages unwinding and relaxation but has enough warmth to promote comfort and togetherness.
PURPLE
Historically, producing purple was a costly affair, limiting its use to the wealthiest members of society. As a result, the colour is associated with luxury and regarded as regal and mysterious.
When used effectively, purple can ignite passion and intensity, adding a touch of rich drama to a room. It is a blend of cool and warm colours that can be amplified or muted depending on the specific hue used. Additionally, purple can create a lively atmosphere, making one feel light-hearted and playful.
Some studies suggest that purple may interfere with sleep, therefore, if you're a fan of purple, it's best to use it sparingly as accent pieces, rather than covering entire walls.
GREY
Grey is a neutral colour that can have different effects on people's moods, depending on the shade used and the individual's personal associations with the colour. Generally, light grey can create a calming and soothing atmosphere, while darker shades can evoke feelings of sadness or heaviness.
It is a versatile colour that can work well in a variety of rooms, from living rooms to bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchens, as well as boosting creativity, making it a great choice for offices and studios. Its neutral nature makes it an excellent backdrop for other colours, allowing them to stand out and shine. It also pairs well with both warm and cool colours, giving you plenty of options to play with.
Overall, grey is a versatile colour that can work in many ways in interior design. Its calming and neutral nature makes it a popular choice for creating a tranquil and sophisticated atmosphere in various rooms.
PINK
Pink is a colour that is often associated with femininity and sweetness. Soft pink shades are also linked to love, and can have a calming effect, reducing aggression and even used to treat headaches such as migraines.
The colour pink can add a subtle glow to walls, making both people and furnishings look brighter and more flattering, and is therefore an inviting and warm choice for a living room, creating a richness and intimacy. Pink also works well in bathrooms ensuring you look your best when getting ready for the day.
Pastel shades are great for children's bedrooms, while darker hues can create a more sophisticated atmosphere. Fuchsia pink, closer to red, can evoke passion but can also make people feel angry, so it is best to avoid this in a teenage girl's bedroom.
Research scientist Alexander Schauss developed Baker-Miller pink, which is also known as "Barbie Pink" or "Pepto Bismol Pink" due to its similarity to those colours. Schauss studied human responses to the colour pink and found that Baker-Miller pink had a calming effect. As a result, it has been commonly used in hospitals, psychiatric institutions, and jail cells since the 1970s.
Overall, pink can have a calming effect and is linked to feelings of softness and nature, making it a lovely choice for various spaces.
WHITE
White is a versatile colour that can brighten up any space, but it is important to keep in mind that it requires some light and sunshine to truly shine. While white can be cold and unwelcoming on its own, when paired with other colours or textures, it can bring life and warmth to a room. With its ability to reflect other colours, even just a small pop of colour can make a significant impact.
In colder climates, white schemes rely on texture to provide some visual interest. Textures such as fluffy pillows, soft blankets, chunky knit throws, woven baskets, and natural materials like wood and stone can add depth and warmth to a white space. Adding texture can make a room feel more inviting and cosy, as well as visually pleasing.
Adding a splash of white on your walls, furniture, or floors can make you feel refreshed and cleansed. It's also the go-to choice for ceiling colour, creating a sense of openness and purity, as well as making small rooms feel larger. As a neutral colour, white complements most other colours, making it an excellent partner in any colour scheme. Ultimately, white is a colour that can bring brightness, purity, and a sense of calm to any space.
BROWN
Brown is a warm and comforting colour that can evoke a sense of stability and security. It is often associated with the natural world, including wood, earth, and stone. In an interior, brown can create a cosy and inviting atmosphere, making it a popular choice for living rooms, bedrooms, and home offices.
Different shades of brown can also have varying effects on mood. Lighter shades of brown, such as beige or tan, can create a calm and relaxing atmosphere, while darker shades, such as chocolate brown, can add a touch of elegance and sophistication to a room.
In addition to its calming and comforting properties, brown is also versatile and can be paired with a variety of other colours. It pairs well with blues, greens, and other earthy tones, creating a natural and organic feel. It can also be paired with brighter colours to add a pop of energy and excitement.
Overall, brown can be a great choice for creating a warm and inviting atmosphere in a variety of rooms, especially those where relaxation and comfort are desired.
BLACK
Black is a bold and powerful colour that can add sophistication and elegance to any interior. It is a popular choice for creating a dramatic and moody atmosphere. However, it is important to use it sparingly as an excessive use of black can create a sense of heaviness and depression.
Despite its starkness, black can connote authority, power, and self-control. It symbolises independence and a strong will, making it an excellent colour for certain spaces.
Black is often used in interiors as an accent colour to create contrast and depth. It works best in rooms with a lot of natural light or in spaces where it can be balanced with other light and bright colours. It is also commonly used in modern and minimalist designs, where it can add a sleek and contemporary edge.
Overall, colours have a profound effect on our mood and emotions. Understanding the psychological impact of different hues can help us create the perfect atmosphere in our homes, offices, or any space we inhabit. So go ahead, experiment with different colours, and create a space that not only looks beautiful but also uplifts your mood and brings joy to your life. After all, our surroundings play a crucial role in shaping our thoughts and feelings, and with a little bit of colour, we can transform any space into a haven of positivity and creativity.