Whether youre redesigning one room or your entire living space there are ways to evoke specific emotions just by carefully selecting your wall color By embracing the psychology of color you can create a more lively living room a creative kitchen a calm and peaceful bedroom or a studious minded study So go ahead transform any room into your perfect vision
Your choice of wall color can make an expansive room seem more intimate or a too small room appear a little larger What atmosphere do you want to create
Weve gathered some enlightening information about how the wall colors in a room can affect your mood your feelings and even your actions
What is Color Psychology
Colors can affect our moods including physical and emotional reactions For instance blue and green colors promote a relaxed calm feeling while yellows and orange colors can make us feel more energetic and productive
Scientists artists and interior designers have been studying some form of color psychology for centuries Long ago some ancient Egyptian and Chinese cultures practiced light therapy also called chromotherapy using colors to heal ailments
More than 350 years ago Sir Isaac Newton an English scientist discovered all the visible colors when he passed pure white light through a prism In his groundbreaking research he found that each color on a single wavelength couldnt be separated However some color lights could be combined into new colors such as red and yellow lights forming orange light
Over the years the knowledge gained from studying color psychology has helped drive advertising marketing and art It has also changed interior design decisions from offices to homes Some colormood beliefs have even made it everyday sayings like I have the blues or Im green with envy
Colors Have Personalities
Can your feelings and behaviors become altered calmed or enlivened peace filled or energized just by the colors around you Yes
When youre choosing the dominating color of your rooms its a good idea to keep color personalities in mind along with your goal for that room Do you want a soothing space for your teething toddler or an invigorating creativity inspiring color for your art or crafts room Do you work at home and want to help boost your productivity
The saturation of color how deep how intense the hue is can also influence its effect For instance a bright canary yellow wall will have a more cheery effect than a subdued muted yellow A deep red color may be perceived as more aggression inspiring than a more subtle welcoming pink
When perusing colors keep in mind there are two types of colors warm and cool Interior decorators often choose a pleasing balance of both within a room
Color Temperatures
Pick up a color wheel from your favorite arts and crafts store interior designer or home improvement store You can also find a color wheel online This wheel shows primary tertiary and other colors and their relationships with one another The color wheel also shows warm and cool colors Its an important tool in picking wall colors and complementing decor colors for furnishings and accessories or less dominant walls
Warm Colors
Colors can be warm or cool or with undertones of warm or cool Warm colors tend to make a room look cozier and inviting They can give small rooms the impression of being smaller or make bigger rooms more intimate Warm colors are reminiscent of sunsets and the warmth of the sun They can be reds browns orange reds tans yellows and yellows with green undertones
Cool Colors
On the opposite side of the color wheel are cool colors and colors with cool undertones On walls these colors give more of a calm peaceful soothing feel to a room While warm colors advance cool colors recede into the background so if you have a small bedroom a cool wall color helps make it look roomier However cooler colors may not feel as comforting as warm colors Cool colors include blues blue greens purples and lavenders colors you may see on an overcast gray or winter day Theyre ideal for sun rooms or other airy places in your home
When deciding on colors dont forget about neutral colors like whites grays and blacks and all the color ranges within These colors can be either warm or cool depending on their undertones
How to Choose the Right Color
Now that you have a little knowledge about color temperatures and how colors can change the mood of a room its time to explore ways to change up your own space Here are some popular colors and the effect they may have on your room and room choices
Blue
Blue colors are excellent choices for bedrooms A calming serene color that helps you relax re balance and clear your mind after a stressful day blue also helps lower blood pressure and steady your breathing These are great aspects to help you fall asleep or unwind You can warm the cool blue colors with warm colored accents Walls in calming hues of blues and greens also are great for lounging rooms offices dining rooms and living rooms
Pink
Pink is a more subdued hue of red Pink walls help relieve anger and other negative feelings bringing a positive balanced imaginative feeling to the room Subtle pink is perfect for instilling joy in bedrooms nurseries playrooms and creative work spaces
Green
Green hues are also excellent choices for sleep rooms or offices Green invokes both an aura of prosperity and relaxing restoration Green hues coax mind clearing composing restful feelings Green also is a great choice for people who love the outdoors giving a natural look
White
Many people like the crisp clean look of white walls and ceilings White can open up the look of your room making it appear more spacious and pure White ceilings seem higher too White which evokes purity goodness and innocence doesnt add or subtract energy from your atmosphere Instead its a neutral choice providing a blank canvas of sorts to accentuate your space with the warm or cool colors of your choice
Red
Some people consider red as a romantic and social color equating it to red roses Valentines Day or that sultry red party dress However psychologically red is also paired with aggression and hostility It can raise your heart rate and blood pressure and is linked with being irritable
Carefully consider which room you want to paint red You may not want the color in your bedroom as it wont promote peace relaxation and tranquility Instead reserve it for rooms where you entertain and hold gatherings or one wall of a library or another room Low light rooms with red walls do exude an elegant aura
Purple Lavender
Purple is not just for kings and queens anymore This rich dramatic color is traditionally known as the color of luxury and royalty with undertones of romance sophistication and mystery Purple colors can spark creativity on the walls of your art studio craft space or family room
If you love purple and want to repaint your bedroom consider a lighter more relaxing and calming hue of purple like lavender or lilac
Orange
Orange walls ensure an aura of energy excitement and enthusiasm Bring this color into rooms where you exercise and want stimulation Orange may be too intense for kitchens you dont want to be stimulated into eating living rooms or bedrooms if you want to relax in those rooms
Yellow
Brighten the look of your room and boost your mood with lively invigorating yellow walls This cheery color increases your energy and helps instill a happy joyful feeling It can stimulate mental and physical energy and makes a great addition to your kitchen while youre getting ready for the day with that first cup of coffee Soak up the look of sunlight and flowers for an uplifting aura This color also looks fantastic in the bathroom laundry room and porch walls anywhere a sunny look is welcomed
Black
Want your room to feel bold and sophisticated edgy yet cozy Consider painting one or more walls a sleek black Dark walls pair perfectly with rich sumptuous surroundings for an imposing and dramatic yet comforting ambiance Black is synonymous with strength authority formality and power It can however make your room overly dark or foreboding
Gray
Some of the most on trend interior wall colors are the many warm and cool shades of gray Gray colors promote a timeless practical look perfectly neutral for adding your own special touches
Gray walls may cancel out creative energetic impulses though Many homeowners prefer having gray hues in common areas and bedrooms and balancing them with complementing more vibrant colors on accessories or non dominant walls
Get Creative and Have Fun
Whether its your whole house or one room at a time transform your space with a color thats perfectly you Using the color wheel and color swatches get creative and try different combinations of colors in your room with a balance of warm and cool colors Finding the best home decor color can bring a fresh look to your space Dont forget to take into consideration if it is a room for teens kids babies or a family room
What else should you consider when painting your bedroom for sleep
Whatever color you choose use the lighter pastel or muted shades of the color Neutral earth or skin based tones are calming and promote positive energy flow according to feng shui
A color that is too bright or bold will stimulate you creating a sense of alertness instead a sense of relaxation Save the statement walls for your living room and keep your bedroom serene
Use a flat paint instead of an eggshell or glossy finish Glossy finishes reflect light while flatter paints absorb more color and feel softer
Also take care what colors you choose for your bedroom accents They should complement each other and be parallel to each other on a color wheel rather than contrasting Contrasting colors stimulate your eyes and mind
For some no change in bedroom color will help them get quality sleep at night If you are one of these people you may be living with sleep apnea The only way to improve your sleep AND your life is with a correct diagnosis and treatment plan Call Alaska Sleep Clinic today for a FREE consultation with one of our board certified sleep specialists
