Color psychology basically studies how color affects people's moods and behaviors.
It is very important to understand when deciding on colors used to decorate your home.
Here is a list of the effects basic colors tend to have on people to help you use color psychology like an interior designer when decorating your home.
photo courtesy of Doug Waldron flickr.com/photos/dougww/2453670430/Red
Red intensifies feelings.
It can be very passionate, but can lead to aggression.
Red also can make people feel more hungry.
Consider using red in a master bedroom or dining room.
Avoid using too much red in a room since it can become overwhelming. Consider using it as an accent color on one wall or through accessories like pillows, rugs, and artwork instead.
Blue
Blue is a tranquil color that has a cooling effect.
It reminds us of the water and sky, which is relaxing but can enhance depression.
Blue would be a good color for an energetic child's bedroom.
Blue is a great color for a bathroom or any room where you want to feel calm and relaxed.
Yellow
Yellow is a cheerful color. It can aid us in waking up in the morning, drawing attention, or helping us stay alert.
Consider using a buttery yellow in a kitchen or a bedroom of someone who is not a morning person.
Be careful with yellow since the wrong shade can feel harsh or even cause anxiety. Stick with softer buttery or golden yellows rather than bright neon yellows.
Purple
Purple is a royal color that is not very prevalent in nature, thus it evokes a feeling of luxury.
Purple can be calming and enhance creativity.
Consider using a purple color in an elegant room or in a creative room, such as an art studio.
Green
Green is reminiscent of grass, trees, and nature. It can be calming and relaxing.
Green is not as calming as blue, so it would be a better choice for someone who has depression issues.
Green is also a very versatile color that works well in almost any room. It comes in so many shades that there is a green for just about every decorating style, from a soft sage in a traditional home to a deep forest green in a more modern space.
Orange
Orange is a bold and exciting color. It demands attention but it can be warm and welcoming when mixed with a little brown.
Consider using coppery brown accessories in a living room.
Pure bright orange can be a little overwhelming for most people, so consider using softer versions like terracotta, peach, or burnt orange instead. These warmer tones are much easier to live with and are very popular right now.
Pink
Pink is a softer version of red and has a very calming effect.
Studies have shown that certain shades of pink can actually reduce feelings of anger and aggression.
Soft blush pinks work well in bedrooms and bathrooms.
Deeper shades of pink like magenta can add a bold and unexpected pop of color in a living room or dining room.
White
White is clean, fresh, and makes a room feel bigger and brighter.
It is a great backdrop for bold colorful accessories and artwork.
The trick with white is finding the right shade since there are hundreds of whites to choose from.
Some whites are warm and creamy while others are cool and crisp.
Hold your paint samples up against your flooring and furniture before deciding on a white since the wrong shade can look dingy or too stark.
Gray
Gray has been one of the most popular home decorating colors for years now. I
t is a great neutral that works well with almost any other color.
Just like white, gray comes in many different shades from very light almost white grays to very dark charcoal grays.
Warm grays work better in rooms with a lot of natural wood tones while cooler grays work better in more modern spaces.
Black
Don't be afraid of black in your home.
A little black goes a long way and can add a lot of sophistication and drama to a room.
Consider painting one wall black in a dining room or home office for a bold and dramatic look. Black also works really well as an accent color through light fixtures, hardware, and accessories.
Whatever color you select, don't be afraid to take chances.
Test Before Committing
Before you paint an entire room, buy a small sample of the paint color and paint a large patch on the wall.
Look at it at different times of day and in different lighting conditions before making your final decision.
Colors can look very different in natural daylight versus artificial light at night. This simple step can save you a lot of time and money.
Combining Colors
Once you understand how each color makes you feel, you can start to combine them in interesting ways.
A room doesn't have to be just one color.
You can use one color on the walls and bring in other colors through your furniture, rugs, pillows, and accessories.
A good rule of thumb is to pick one main color, one secondary color, and one accent color to keep things from feeling too busy.
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