Ever wonder why fast food chains use red and orange colour schemes? Why do health spas love blue and green? It’s because colour really does affect our emotions! In fact, the right colour paint can make all the difference between a happy, fun-loving house and a tense, stressful environment. So, which colours should you choose to give a room the right kind of mood?
All about Balance
Remember that too much of a good thing quickly becomes a bad thing. To use the psychology of colour effectively, balance desired hues with one another so one doesn’t overwhelm the other. Each colour has positive and negative aspects, factors that are important to take into account when choosing paint as well as accents
Social Colours
If you’re looking to spark some life into your living room or turn the dining room into the hottest dinner party in town, these colours are for you!
● Red - The colour of passion and optimism. Perfect for sparking lively conversation and stimulating appetites. Too much red can become overwhelming and create anxiety. Good for rooms with a lot of social activity.
● Orange - Stimulates social interaction and promotes reassuring feelings. Good colour for physical motivation. Can be seen as negative for those who associate orange with prisons. A good choice for rooms where you exercise.
Energetic Colours
Choose these hues for rooms where confidence and energy are important such as bathrooms, exercise rooms, or offices.
● Yellow - The colour of energy and happiness. Creates excitement and boosts self-confidence. It’s important to choose the right shade of yellow, as strong yellow can be distressing.
● Purple - Borrowing elements from blue and red, purple promotes both energetic activity and peace of mind. Dark purple is noted for making a room feel sophisticated and dramatic while lighter hues make rooms feel peaceful. Too much purple can make a room feel dark and depressing.
Comforting Colour
● Blue - The colour of intelligence and serenity. Students are more likely to retain what they study and feel less test anxiety when surrounded by blue. Too much blue can make a room feel cold and deeper shades can make one feel depressed.
● Green - Nature’s own favourite colour, green promotes tranquility and balance. Studies show this colour wards off nightmares. Too much green runs the risk of inciting feelings of envy or jealousy.
● Pink - The sweet and calming colour of love. Studies show pink can soothe even the criminally aggressive. Too much pink can be seen as immature or unsophisticated.
Black, White, and Grey
These are versatile colours that stand out from the pack. Also known as neutrals, they can enhance the positive and subdue the negative elements in the other colours on this list when paired correctly.
● Black - A strong and formal colour, black promotes feelings of power and independence. Often chosen as paint as an accent to create an elegant, sophisticated mood. In large amounts it can feel oppressive and depressing.
● White - The colour of purity and innocence. White is often used to make spaces feel larger than they really are. Too much white can make a room seem empty or unexciting.
● Grey - Combining elements of black and white, grey adds a flair of drama while retaining an open and airy atmosphere. Be careful to choose the right shade of grey to match the intended mood.