In recent months, our homes have become so much more than kitchen tables to gather around and beds to sleep in at night. These days, our homes are where many of us “cocoon” away from the world – where we seek togetherness, security and comfort. They are also where many of us work, making establishing restful zones and productive zones a complicated endeavor.
From our home offices and dens to our master suites and great rooms, each space offers a different atmosphere and encourages different moods. Spending more time at home – whether alone or with family – has made us keenly aware of the psychological impacts of each space. Employing the tenets of color psychology in interiors is one way in which to ensure each space evokes the emotions you seek. As we hit our stride in the 2020s, a reprieve from stress and a turn towards enduring joy is what many of us hope for in our homes. Follow below for five colors that make every home happier and which rooms they are best suited for.
Applying Color Psychology in Interiors
When considering paint palettes for the home, keep in mind that emotional responses evoked by color are subjective. Dr. Sally Augustin explains this in her article “The Surprising Effect of Color on Your Mind and Mood” for Psychology Today.
Dr. Augustin explains that color psychology be employed to alter the moods of those within a space. Interestingly, it can also affect behavior and physical response. For instance, when people are in a “space where the walls are … warm colors, [they] actually feel that the temperature … is warmer.” This is opposed to the cooling effect provided by “similar spaces painted cool colors.”
Impacts of Colors from Nature
However, many tones do elicit similar reactions from people around the world. In her article “Psychological Effects of Color in Interior Design” for Natalie Craig Design, Craig outlines these effects. The California-based designer explains that in decorating one’s home, one might make an initial choice between warm and cool tones and intensity of saturation.
Warm and cool tones can elicit comparable reactions in some cases, but often offer opposite effects. Craig writes that “warm colors…like red, yellow, and orange, evoke feelings of activity and passion.” However, they might also “evoke anger,” depending on the level of saturation. On the other hand, “cool colors…are associated with calm, harmony, and peace, but also lassitude, inaction, and sadness,” also depending on intensity. Recent scientific forays into color psychology have found that colors from nature are most effective at evoking positive emotions and responses. These include happiness, contentment, curiosity, creativity and productivity. As such, our choices for the best happy-making interiors colors are all inspired by nature.
