May
2008
Color in Interiors0
Most people take for granted the colors they choose for in a room. With a simple understanding of color psychology, you’ll be able to dictate the mood in a room for a specific purpose. Color affects the general ambience and feel of the room as well as the thoughts and emotions of the people in it. Regardless of what style and kind of furniture you are going to put in the room, color still plays a very important role. Color in history also has a very specific palette per period style.
Blue. If you want the room to evoke a sense of calm and relaxation, then blue is the color for you. Also blue lends a feeling of freshness and cleanliness which is ideal for bathrooms. Blue leans more toward the male gender which is why it is popular for boy rooms. On the downside, blue tends to suppress the appetite that’s why it’s not recommended in restaurants. The reason for this is, blue is not found in most of the food that we eat, that’s why by color association, blue doesn’t make us hungry.
Green. Another excellent choice if you want a relaxing color is green. It is good for living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms. Green lends a sense of warmth that blue lacks. It is earthy, natural and fresh. People who are less fond of blue, choose green as their room color.
Yellow. For some people, yellow invokes mixed feelings and emotions. Yellow is sometimes associated with jealousy. But in interior design, if used properly, yellow can be sunny and inviting, perfect for a foyer or a hallway. Lighter buttery and creamy shades provide a sense of happiness in a room. Darker saturated tones however can be gloomy. Although not proven, there have been some cases that most fights in a home occur in a yellow room. Could it be that they chose a wrong shade?
Orange. Orange can be very warm and cozy. It is used mostly in living rooms. For one thing, it is very energizing without being over-stimulating. Orange in a room makes one feel very comfortable and relaxed. For most coffee shops, orange tones are used to create an informal and warm atmosphere conducive to intimate conversations and meetings. But if used to brightly, it can be draining.
Red. Red probably is the most stimulating color in the color spectrum. It invokes sensuality, passion, and energy. It is found to raise blood pressure, heart rate and as well as stimulate the appetite. Most restaurants use red on their walls. If used in the bedroom, it can add to the romance and intimacy but it doesn’t really promote restful sleep. Deep and vibrant reds are often used as color accents or color focal points to add punch and drama to an otherwise dull room.
Purple. Purple like yellow also has to be used carefully. It’s lighter shades like lavender and or violet can add serenity and tranquility to a bedroom. It’s darker tones however, are mostly recommended as color accents to provide opulence and drama.
Neutrals. Neutrals are just as important in a room as vibrant colors. The strarkness of gray has been found to stimulate creativity that’s why it is recommended for most home offices. Browns on the otherhand, provide warmth and security which is why it is most popular for family rooms.
Focus on color for me. My next post will be about the types of color schemes and the color wheel. Stay tuned.
Many thanks for the photos of neloqua, timothy hamilton, comin or goin, nada, love_child_kyoto, dee_r, souptoknits and thiru murugan. All of them have photostreams on flickr.
