Color is everything in interior design. With color, you have the power to influence people’s moods, create a visual appeal and play with different lighting fixtures. With color, you have an interior design tool that can make or break a space. Thus, the color you choose for your interiors matters. With that in mind, here is all you need to know regarding the use of color in interior design.
Categories of Color
Color can be divided into 2 distinct categories. They include:
- Warm tones
- Cool tones
Warm Tones
Warm tones include red, orange, plus yellow. These colors are used to energize spaces and their occupants.
Cool Tones
Examples of cool tones colors include blue, green, as well as purple. With cool tone colors, you can create a quiet, relaxing atmosphere.
Colors to Choose
When decorating your floors and walls, it’s important to choose the color that fits that interior space. If your space is meant to achieve an energetic atmosphere, then going for warm, exhilarating tones is the way to go. On the other hand, if you have break areas you intend to decorate, then cool tones are more appropriate. They make occupants relax. Remember, color influences how space is perceived. So, leverage on its effects and create productively and inviting spaces.
Color Psychology
The growth of modern psychology has led to an in-depth study of color. For many years, color has been utilized in marketing design, architectural design, and of course interior design. Carl Jung, a famous Swiss psychologist defined the 4 temperaments as sunshine yellow, fiery red, earth green, as well as cool blue.
So how does color really make people feel? Red signifies strength, determination, danger, and power, but also passion and love. The common shades of red are pink, which stands for love, friendship, and romance. Light red, which symbolizes joy, love, and sexuality. Reddish-brown that’s commonly associated with harvest/failure, as well as dark red, which represents vigor, anger, leadership, courage, malice, and wrath.
Any interior designer will agree that red is never boring. In fact, it’s an excellent option for anyone who wants to create a cool, warmer tone for their home. It’s great for the kitchen and is known for boosting appetite. Red accent walls can completely transform a room’s appearance, giving it more a sophisticated feel. If you want to stir excitement, especially at night, go for red colors.
Orange is often associated with joy and sunshine. It depicts enthusiasm, creativity, happiness, determination, and success. However, it’s a polarizing color, which people can either love or hate. Dark orange can sometimes imply deceit and distrust but was believed to heal the lungs during ancient times. Red-orange signifies desire, aggression, and pleasure. Gold, on the other hand, evokes a sense of prestige, wisdom, and wealth.
Yellow represents sunshine and is typically associated with joy, energy, satisfaction. It’s an excellent option for kitchens, bathrooms, dining rooms, and hallways. But it should be used sparingly as it’s believed to evoke temper in some people. Dull yellow represents sickness, caution, and jealousy and shouldn’t be utilized in interior spaces.
Green is known for transcending a feeling of calmness and security. It exemplifies growth, freshness, and harmony. It makes you feel emotionally safe. Pair it with light grey and create a modern feel.
Blue is popularly associated with trust, wisdom, loyalty, and confidence. It has a calming effect and relaxes the mind when utilized in the home or office. Light/pastel blue creates tranquility and is linked with healing, knowledge, power, softness, as well as understanding
Purple, in its darkest shades, is rich and sophisticated. It’s commonly associated with luxury and creativity. Lavender, for instance, can work magic for your bedroom. Combine purple with pastels plus modern art and create a bold statement for your modern home.
Conclusion
A
ll colors showcase different characters when lightness and saturation are altered. While dark colors bring a feeling of warmth and sophistication, making your room feel more intimate. So choose wisely and give your home’s décor an instant uplift.
