Color is powerful. It can cause reactions, sway opinions, raise blood pressure, curb your appetite, and relax your mind, all in a split second. Our response to color is subliminal, but very real. That’s why the colors you choose for your home are so important. Do you want your home to be calm and soothing, or bright and energetic? Or, do you want to combine several hues to create a more balanced feel? You might be thinking that a major color overhaul to your home is too expensive or too much of a commitment, but it doesn’t have to be. Changing out the art on your walls is an easy and affordable way to experiment with the color and mood of your home.
There has been a lot of research on the psychology of color, and the following has been found to be true.
Black
Black is elegant and timeless. When combined with other colors, it adds contrast and helps ground the space.
Artwork: Floret Purple III by Sia Aryai
White
White symbolizes cleanliness and purity, and goes well with just about any color. It reflects light, so it can make a small room appear big and bright.
Artwork: City Bird by Judy Paul
Red
Red is a bold and powerful color that demands attention. It’s a passionate color that represents love as well as anger. People often experience elevated heart rate and increased enthusiasm in red rooms. Used as an accent, red will immediately draw the eye to that particular element.
Artwork: Grid Formation I by Christine Wilkinson
Blue
Blue is one of the most popular colors, and appeals equally to both men and women. It’s often used in bedrooms because of its peaceful and calming properties. It is also said to increase productivity and creativity, making it an excellent color for an office environment. Blue is also known to suppress the appetite, since there are very few blue foods found in nature.
Artwork: Equis I by St. John
Green
Green is the color of renewal, balance, and nature. Like blue, it’s a calming color and makes time seem to go by faster. Television studios have “green rooms” to help guests relax before going on the air.
Artwork: Zen Garden I by Sia Aryai
Yellow
Yellow is bright, perky, and cheerful, but it can also evoke anger. Used in abundance, yellow can be overpowering, as it is the most difficult color for the eye to process. Still, it’s considered a happy color of optimism and hope. The addition of yellow in a room can add the feeling of sunshine, even if there isn’t any.
Artwork: Harmonia IV by Sia Aryai
Purple
Purple is the color of royalty and mystery. It possesses the energy of red and the calming effects of blue. Used in a room, it can stimulate creativity. Darker versions of the color evoke moodiness and wealth.
Artwork: Natural Expression I by Sara Abbott
Brown
Brown is typically a favorite of men as it is associated with earth, wood, and natural materials. Shades of brown, including tans, make an excellent backdrop to allow other colors to pop. In a room brown can evoke warmth, dependability, honesty, and friendliness.
