Remember the color-phobic friend I talked about in my last post? Well, I finally convinced her to inject a little personality into her home by adding color. I almost have her onboard to actually paint the walls! Now that that she’s totally excited about giving her home a makeover, her next question to me was, “what colors should I use?” Now, this seems like a fairly simple question, right? Just tell her to pick her favorite color(s) and go wild. Not quite. Yes, room color can be a great way to reflect your personality. However, with a background in psychology, I know that colors can also influence your mood, activity level and emotions in very different ways. For that reason, my advice is to choose room color wisely. Before you buy that red paint for your bedroom or the blue rug for your kitchen, consider how you want to feel in that particular room. To help you make the right color choices for your next decorating project, I’m sharing how 5 popular colors can influence your mood.
It is not pure fantasy to say that the color red is like the sound of a trumpet. ~Joyce Cary
Have you ever wondered why a lot of restaurants and nightclubs have red decor? According to psychology studies, red can increase your pulse, heart rate, and blood pressure. This in turn, stimulates feelings of excitement, energy – and even appetite. Using red In your living room will encourage interaction and socializing. Add a touch of red in your kitchen or dining room to stimulate appetite. Your family will think you’re the best cook in the world. Using red in a bedroom may stimulate ahem…”excitement” however, it’s probably not the best room color to promote a good night’s sleep.
How lovely yellow is! It stands for the sun. ~ Vincent Van Gogh
Have you ever wondered why the iconic Smiley Face is yellow? Scientists say that yellow helps to release a mood-elevating chemical in the brain called Serotonin. It’s a perfect room color choice to create a cheery, inviting kitchen or entryway. However, remember moderation is the key to decorating with yellow. It’s the most difficult color on the eye and long term exposure can promote irritability. It’s also probably not the best choice for a baby nursery. Studies have shown that a yellow room can increase crying, irritability and hyperactivity in babies and children.
Orange is the happiest color ~ Frank Sinatra
Because orange is created by mixing yellow and red, It gives you the excitement of red and the inviting, cheeriness of yellow. It’s the perfect color to use in rooms where people gather like living rooms and dining rooms.
Blue color is everlastingly appointed by the deity to be a source of delight. ~ John Ruskin
Blues are said to lower blood pressure, respiration and heart rate which promotes a calm, relaxed state of mind. If you want to create a serene bedroom or spa-inspired bathroom, blue is the best room color. On the other hand, unless you and the family are on a diet, don’t paint your dining room walls blue. Studies have shown that blue is an appetite suppressant.
Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises. ~Pedro Calderón de la Barca
Green is probably one of the most versatile color to use in decorating. Various shades and hues can be used to create varying moods. According to Jackie Jordan, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams, “When we see green, our mind traces back to the abundance of green shades found in nature, evoking a restorative, quieting emotion.” This explains why talk show guests chill in the “green room” before going live. Green helps calm nervous jitters and reduce stress. It’s a great color choice for bedrooms or baby nursery. Green is also considered the most restful color for the eye which promotes concentration and reading ability. This makes green a perfect choice for a home office or library.
Of course, these color psychology guidelines are only a tool to help you begin the decorating process. Ultimately, your home should be a reflection of your personality and your lifestyle. So if, that means painting your bedroom walls “bordello red” I say, “Do you, boo!”
I like the Blue room and the yellow!!! The Blue goes real well in the Bathroom set up!!