Interior Design Color Effects.

 

Interior Color Effects.

Understand the Psychology of Color

When you enter a space, what do you feel? Are you overcome with a sense of calm that washes through you? Do you feel energized and ready to take on your day? Or do you notice tension creeping through your body, and all you want to do is escape your surroundings? Interior design sets the mood for a room, and one of the integral components that helps set the tone is color. This is called room color psychology.

Color Theory in Interior Design

In interior design, color psychology is the school of thought that focuses on color as a means of creating a specific atmosphere and mood. Hues are carefully chosen in order to invoke a certain emotional response in people and set a particular mood. Research into color theory has ascribed defined emotions to each hue, and it also takes into account various factors such as tint, saturation, and tone

Color psychology has been studied for hundreds of years. Color is the manifestation of how our brain and vision perceive different wavelengths of light. This spectrum runs from shorter wavelengths (blue or purple colors) to longer wavelengths (reds). In other words, it’s what is commonly known as a rainbow of color. The science of color made great strides forward thanks to experiments by Isaac Newton in the 17th century, which resulted in the first color wheel, and later by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who published the groundbreaking “Theory of Colors” in 1810. His work was the first to deeply examine the psychological effects of colors and their impact on human emotions.

Common Colors Used in Interior Designing and Their Associated Effects on the Human Psyche

01- Blue

Blue is one of the three primary colors (red and green being the other two). It is located on the farthest end of the light’s spectrum and is considered to be the coolest (temperature-wise) color to work with. It is believed that blue can help bring down blood pressure and can even slow down an elevated heart rate. 

-Psychological Effect of Blue 

Deeper shades of blue invokes a sense of confidence while generating an atmosphere of trust, loyalty, and dependability. Lighter shades of blue, on the other hand, are generally associated with the feeling of calmness, serenity, relaxation, and cool headedness. Blue is also considered to be a symbol of peace.

-Cultural Significance of Blue

Western countries often associate blue with sadness and gloominess, thus the phrase – ‘feeling blue’. But in Eastern countries blue is considered to be the holiest of colors. For example – In India, religious deities like Krishna, Rama, and Shiva are always depicted blue bodied as blue is considered to be a symbol of purity and divinity. Another interesting fact is that even though blue is often considered to be the symbol of masculinity, in China it is a symbol of femininity.

02- Yellow

Ah, the sunshine color! Yellow is associated with many feelings and emotions, but one thing it truly stands for is happiness and positivity. It makes the whole space come alive and creates an atmosphere of vivaciousness, playfulness, and joy. Since yellow lights are so commonly used in both commercial as well as residential settings, the color yellow is also considered to be the color of light and luminosity. Most of the new-age designers love to use yellow when it comes to color psychology in interior design

-Psychological Effect of Yellow 

Due to its close resemblance to the color gold, yellow is often associated with prosperity and abundance. It is also considered to be the color of wisdom, intelligence, and self-confidence. Since it is such a bright and happy color, it instantly uplifts people’s spirits and brings a smile to their faces. It generates a feeling of optimism and encouragement. 

-Cultural Significance of Yellow 

Culturally, yellow means different things to different people. In France and Germany, yellow is considered to be the symbol of jealousy and betrayal. In China, it symbolizes pornography! A yellow picture or a yellow book literally means a pornographic publication. In African and Egyptian cultures, yellow is revered as the colour of prosperity and wealth. Japanese consider yellow to be the colour of bravery and courage.

03- Purple

Always the color of elegance and royalty, purple color schemes inspire creativity and sophistication. While darker shades of purple look quintessentially classy, the lighter shades such as mauve and lavender create an atmosphere of calmness and poise, but in a much subtle manner. Since it is the color of elegance and luxury, purple is often used to decorate living room areas, receptions, foyers, and dining rooms, areas where your guests spend maximum time.

-Psychological Effect of Purple

 It is a color with a strong connection with creativity. It is believed that children should be surrounded by purple during the early years of their education to help their imagination and creativity flourish. Purple creates a psychological effect of being in a royal setting, surrounded by beauty and opulence. It is a very popular color among women, but deeper shades of purple can look incredibly masculine

-Cultural Significance of Purple 

 Both, in Western and Eastern countries, purple signifies power, wealth, fame, and royalty. For many centuries in a row, extracting purple dye from natural resources was an expensive and time-consuming process. Because of this reason, only wealthy people could afford to dress in purple clothes or accessories. In the past, kings, queens, and some of their closest associates used to wear purple as a status symbol.

But in some countries purple is also considered inauspicious. In the UK, Italy, Thailand, and Brazil, it is customary to wear purple along with black while attending someone’s funeral. In the US, purple is regarded as the colour of honour and courage. Their highest military award, the Purple Heart, is conferred to soldiers, airmen, sailors, and Marines to celebrate their distinguished acts of bravery.

04- Green

Whenever we see the color green, we think of greenery and nature. Now, since being in nature signifies health, connection with the soil, peace, harmony, and trust, it’s only natural to associate green color with all these emotions or qualities. Green has a very fresh and wholesome feel to it and if used properly, in the right context and quantity, green can have a very calming effect on your psyche. 

-Psychological Effect of Green 

Green is probably the most versatile color you can work with. Different shades and tones of green can generate different emotions in people. While pale green has a relaxing effect, dark green is usually considered to be the color of greed and jealousy. Olive green, on the other hand, is recognized as the symbol of peace and harmony. In general, green is the color of relaxation, comfort, health, growth, fertility, healing, ambition, and a sense of security.

-Cultural Significance of Green 

The color green shares quite a few common connotations on a global level. These include – nature, environment, ability to regenerate, military, and ‘the go signal of the traffic lights. In the West, green is the symbol of money, greed, and also, Christmas! In Eastern cultures, green symbolizes eternal life, fresh beginnings, youth, and prosperity. In Mexico, green is considered to be the color of freedom and in Ireland, the color of good luck.

Different  Shades Can Be Use To Create Deferent Moods In a Space

 When you’re choosing a paint color, it’s important to think about the shade as well as the hue. Different shades can create different moods in a space, so even once you know what color you want, you need to consider the shade. As a rule of thumb; A lighter shade will make a room feel airy and open, while a darker shade will make it feel cozy and intimate. If you want a room to feel energetic and exciting, go for a brighter shade. If you want it to feel calming and soothing, go for a softer shade. And if you want it to feel dramatic and luxurious, choose a deep, rich shade. No matter what mood you’re trying to create, there’s a perfect paint color out there for you.

With so many colors on the color wheel, it can sometimes feel overwhelming to choose. That’s why working with a professional interior designer can be a great way to narrow down your options and create a space that you love. At Instyle Deco Paris, we believe that every room should reflect your unique style. Whether you’re looking for a bold new look or something more traditional, we can help you find the perfect colours for your home. We’ll work with you to understand your vision and then provide a palette of options that will bring your space to life. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.