Colour and Mood
Today I want to share with you how one can evoke specific emotions and moods tailored to the desired atmosphere of a room. Have you ever noticed how the environment of a space can make you feel heightened or relaxed? What If I told you it could be as simple as the colour choice?
To put it simply, colour psychology is the study of how colours affect human behaviour, emotions, and perceptions. It explores the psychological effects of different colours and how they can influence mood, cognition, and decision-making. Colour psychology considers factors such as cultural associations, personal experiences, and biological responses to colours.
As a philosophy, and the approach I teach is creating a purposeful home that embodies a set of beliefs and principles about how living spaces should be designed and utilised for those that live there. It involves a deeper understanding of the importance of home environment on well-being, personal fulfilment, and lifestyle choices. And choosing the right colours for certain spaces in your home can greatly improve your well-being!
"Colour is the most relative medium in art. Unlike linear dimensions, color exists only in relation to its neighbours. No colour has independent existence; each color is altered by every colour around it.” Faber Birren
Here's a basic overview:
Red: Often associated with energy, passion, and excitement. It can increase heart rate and stimulate appetite. It can also convey a sense of urgency or danger.
Blue: Symbolises calmness, serenity, and trust. It has a soothing effect and can promote relaxation. Blue is often associated with professionalism and competence.
Green: Represents nature, growth, and harmony. It has a calming and balancing effect and can evoke feelings of freshness and rejuvenation.
Yellow: Associated with optimism, happiness, and energy. It can grab attention and create a sense of warmth and cheerfulness. However, excessive yellow can be overwhelming.
Orange: Combines the energy of red with the cheerfulness of yellow. It's often associated with enthusiasm, creativity, and vitality. Orange can also stimulate appetite.
Purple: Symbolises luxury, creativity, and spirituality. It's often associated with royalty and sophistication. Purple can evoke feelings of mystery and imagination.
Black: Represents power, elegance, and authority. It can convey a sense of sophistication and formality. Black can also evoke feelings of mystery or seriousness.
White: Symbolises purity, cleanliness, and simplicity. It's often associated with innocence and new beginnings. White can create a sense of spaciousness and clarity.
Gray: Represents neutrality, balance, and sophistication. It's often used as a background color to complement other colors or convey professionalism.
Brown: Symbolises stability, earthiness, and warmth. It's often associated with nature and can evoke feelings of comfort and reliability.
Fun Fact-Years ago when I was working at a Design firm in London, a client wanted us to redo the nursery, which was currently painted in beautiful soft yellow. The client was reluctant to change, but wanted to make the room feel more cosy for the toddler. The truth is, her biggest need was helping her toddler to sleep, feel calm and wind down, because black out curtains were not cutting it! By simply changing the colour to a muted pale blue and cosy furnishings the toddler began successfully taking day naps in their room, books and bedtime routine was calmer and the mother also reported the toddler played happily in their room for hours!
My theory, choose colours that will benefit the environment and you!
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