Most people have been there before. You walk into a room – maybe it’s in a coffee shop or a private nook in a library – and something about the space just helps you relax. You can’t put your finger on it, whether it’s the design layout or lighting, but something about the space really speaks to you and may even spark an interest in you to make some design changes in your home to mimic the same look and feel.
There are many psychological elements that come into play, especially in commercial settings, when it comes to helping people feel welcomed and relaxed in their environment. However, many people don’t think about how impactful color choices can be in helping to create these positive feelings.
When planning your own interior design project, whether in your own business or at home, color psychology is an important element to help you ensure you’re achieving the ambiance in the space you’re looking for. Luckily, there are a number of strategies you can use to make sure you’re leveraging colors in the best way possible when making design decisions.
Think About the Ambiance You Want to Achieve
Before you start thinking about design layouts or color palettes, you should first consider exactly what type of ambiance you’re looking for in your space. Many times, the purpose of the room will determine this and whether or not you’re looking for a cozy environment or having a space with a specific purpose in mind, like a gym, kitchen, or bathroom.
The general use case for the room you’re designing should also take into consideration the type of mood you want to set. For example, when redesigning a bedroom space, you’ll likely want to incorporate a more calming ambiance to help you get more comfortable sleep throughout the night. In a kitchen remodeling project, you may want to create a more welcoming atmosphere since these spaces typically receive a lot of foot traffic and are where many people congregate with others.
Whatever the ambiance you’re trying to achieve, it can be helpful to create a mood board with various images, colors, or design features you hope to incorporate into the final product. This will help to set the right tone when you start your initial planning stages.
Choose Colors That Trigger the Right Emotions
Believe it or not, the color choices you make when taking on an interior design project can evoke certain emotions when you walk into the room. Although these may be subtle and hard to notice, over time, when spending more time in certain areas, these colors can have a certain impact on how you’re feeling.
Below are some examples of various colors and the associated feelings that can come with them:
Warmer Colors
- Red – Red tones are closely associated with increased energy and passion. These can be a great choice for dining rooms or other common areas where expressing yourself and having open conversations is welcomed.
- Orange – Orange is another warm color that helps to express enthusiasm and is good for showing more creativity. This color is great to incorporate into social spaces and is great as an accent color.
- Yellow – Most people relate smiling faces to yellow – just like the emoji. This makes this color an important feature when wanting to add more cheerfulness in a space – think kids’ spaces and quiet reading rooms.
Cooler Colors
- Green – In many cultures, the color green denotes tranquility and growth and has many different uses when used in interior design. Green is a great choice for bedrooms, home offices, living rooms, and dens.
- Blue – Blue is a calming color and can be another great choice when wanting to create a deeper sense of relaxation in certain design spaces. Bedrooms and bathrooms are a good choice when used in modernation. However, keep in mind that while cooler colors like blue are relaxing, they can also make a space feel “too cold” or uncomfortable if used in large quantities.
- Purple – Purple has become a popular color when looking to lift the ambiance of a space to help it feel more luxurious. It’s also used in yoga studios and other self-reflective spaces to help improve meditation and introspection.
Neutral Colors
- Black – While black may not be the most popular neutral color choice, it can have a certain level of elegance and sophistication when used in the right setting. It can also help to add more depth to a room when used as an accent color.
- White – White is associated with clean and pure environments and is also a great way to make a room feel more spacious. It helps to brighten up a space and is one of the most commonly used neutral colors in all design spaces.
- Gray – Gray is a more balanced neutral color that can also be used to create a more calming and refined atmosphere. Purple is also a great way to add a bit more sophistication to a room.
Use the 60-30-10 Rule
When applying color psychology in your interior design projects, a good rule of thumb is to follow the 60-30-10 rule. This rule stipulates that 60% of a room you’re designing should have a dominant color. Secondary colors should make up 30% of the space, and 10% can be assigned to an accent color.
Taking this approach helps you create a more balanced color palette and avoids certain colors overpowering the room. Dominant colors are typically reserved for larger walls or even in primary furniture pieces. Secondary color options can be incorporated using smaller furniture or area rugs. Accent colors should be subtle in their inclusion and can be brought in with wall art, throw pillows, or other smaller decorative items.
Use Color To Transform Your Design Spaces
Color has a powerful effect on how your interior design project looks and feels and is a great way to complement the purpose of a living or working space. By understanding the principles of color psychology and using them to your advantage, you’ll be able to get the most value out of your remolding investments.
Author Information
Name: Rebecca Denis
Rebecca Denis, Head of Design at Revive Real Estate, is an accomplished and highly creative interior designer with over ten years of experience in the industry. With a passion for transforming spaces and a keen eye for detail, she has successfully completed numerous projects ranging from commercial spaces to custom show homes.
