Have you ever wondered why sometimes you walk into a room and feel angry, upset or anxious for absolutely no reason? Truth is colors affect you.
Yes, you read that right. The color of your walls can have a major impact on your overall mood. It is believed that certain colors give off a certain psychological feeling and even trigger certain parts of the brain and release hormones in turn; making you feel comfortable, warm or energetic. A good understanding of these colors can help you with decorating your home.
There are reasons why doctor offices, hospitals, etc… are usually painted in neutral colors or even plain white. Not only to give off the feel of being sanitary, but it is way more relaxing sitting in a chair surrounded by white or neutral colors. Imagine going to your dentist where the walls are painted bright red. That’s pretty scary, isn’t it?
Sometimes the colors around you can be affecting you, and you don’t even realize it! The color of the walls, the furniture, the flooring- all of it affects your mood. And although different people have their own different preferences and react each in his/her own way to colors based on past experiences, culture, etc… there are a few rules that typically carry over to the majority and will affect everyone the same way.
If you want to create a certain feeling in your own home the next time you decide to redecorate, here is a list of some of the main colors and how they can affect your psychological well being. But always keep in mind, what one person finds calming may not have the same effect on someone else. It is best to go with what makes you feel good. This list can help you get to a good start:
Red
It is the color of excitement and energy. This color tends to work better in rooms or areas of the house that invite people to start conversations, sit and chat. It’s usually used for social gatherings. This color would work best in the living room or dinning room area; an area where you want family and friends to get together and enjoy each other’s company. A shade of red can definitely help create that lively atmosphere.
Yellow
It reminds people of the outdoors, optimism, a nice bright day, the warm sun. Using the color yellow in a room helps to lift the spirits of the people sitting in it. It gives off the feeling of energy, happiness and joy. This color is perfect for any kitchen, dinning room or bathroom. The color yellow is believed to stimulate the nervous system and purify the body. But watch out! Yellow is also believed to make people anxious, irritable and cause babies to cry. When using yellow, it may be best not to use it in large rooms or as the main color theme of that room.
Green
It is a very soothing and calming color. It is often related to a pleased feeling and can be a stress reducer. It is known to help relieve stress and even promote health and healing. Since it is so versatile, this color would be good in all sorts of rooms in your house. It could work well in your kitchen, your living room, or even a bedroom. Whatever room you want to be comfortable and wind down in, this is your color! Be aware though, too much green could also cause lack of inventiveness and promote laziness.
Blue
This is another calming color and tends to be very popular in décor choices. But different tones of blue can have varying effects. You’ll want to avoid harsh pastels or blues that are too bright and vivid; they can over stimulate you and make the room even feel cold. Dark blues can be depressing and make you feel sad. The blue tones for interior design are light, soft blues, accented and paired with warmer colors to give it balance. The color blue is known to promote a relaxing sleep and the feeling of relaxation. It promotes creative and imaginative thinking. This is a great color for a child’s bedroom (help to clam them and get a good sleep) or any bedroom for that matter. Like the color yellow, blue should be used moderately throughout a home because too much of this color can create too much of a calming feeling which can turn into pessimism and sad feelings. Any color should be used in moderation, and this color is no exception!
Violet
This color is not widely used throughout a home. Interestingly enough, the color violet is known to arouse the part of our brains that deal with solving problems. It encourages a person’s artistic capability and creativity which makes it a great color for a child’s bedroom (a place where they may do their homework). Certain shades of violet can send off vibes of sophistication and richness, and hey, who couldn’t use that every once in a while.
Orange
This is another energetic color which incites enthusiasm and excitement. This is not a color you want to use a lot of —unless it is a room where you will be doing a lot of physical activity or exercise, like a workout room. Even then, use it sparingly.
White
It is the best interior design color. It is neutral, peaceful and open. It adds a sense of space and balance to any room (this is why the majority of ceilings are white) and goes with every other color.
Black
It is on the opposite end of the spectrum as white. While it is a neutral color, it should be used scarcely. Just a little black here and there is usually best. It is a great color for grounding the environment and adding balance. Often times, it will add more dimension to any room.
Neutral Colors (Grey, Tan, and Light Brown)
They are the glue that holds all of the colors together. They balance the brighter colors, giving them the chance to stand out and can both warm and cool the environment, depending on how they are used. Without neutrals, none of the other colors would work as well.
Remember
– Custom tailoring each of the rooms in the house to specific activities that you intend to do in each one can bring greater productivity, enjoyment or relaxation -depending on the room. For example , an office can be enhanced for greater productivity by always keeping it tidy and using a lot of white space with splashes of light blue to bring peace and calm, small accents of yellow and orange to stimulate the enthusiasm, excitement and feeling of being uplifted, as well as grey to neutralize and keep you grounded. Stay away from any and all reds here; as they can cause frustration and anger—something you definitely want to stay away from while working.
– Experiment with different colors and see how you feel after looking at them for a long time. You may realize that a redesign (or even just small change) in your dining room might cause more fun and good conversation around the table. A shift in your living room may help you relax more easily when you get home from work. Or a color change in the entryway of your house can make guests feel more welcome. It’s all about experimenting.
– It is great to keep these color ideas in mind for your next home improvement activity! Always remember to use color in moderation. Don’t overdo it with any one color. Many of these colors can be incorporated together or as accent walls, and can create the perfect, comfortable, exciting living space for you and your family.
– The things that are around everyday affect your emotions and your mood, and even your health which in turn has an impact on your mental, physical and emotional well-being.
– A home that is cluttered and has a lot of contrasting colors can cause stress and even anxiety. Calming textures and colors can bring more peace and relaxation into your experience.
Ok, so you think that’s all? Wait; there is more to it than that.
What else has an effect on your well-being, besides color? Check out the following tips that you can take in mind while decorating your home and which can contribute to your well-being.
Tip 1:
To bring more peace and happiness into any environment, try bringing in a large bouquet of fresh flowers. Fresh flowers have always had an incredible ability to uplift the human spirit.
Tip 2:
Decorate your house with green plant; you will wonder” why do I feel so good?” It sounds simple, but it really does have a dramatic effect on your well-being.
Tip 3:
Place artwork and other wall décor that remind you of some of your favorite places and memories. Surrounding yourself with the things that make you happy can contribute to an improved mood. For example if you like the beach, you can use sea shells as decorations in your living room or bathroom.
Tip 4:
Arrange your furniture for comfort and convenience. Decorate with comfortable furnishings such as a couch that is soft and relaxing to lie on while you watch TV.
Tip 5:
Lighting is very important. Install variable lighting or decorate with lamps that allow variations in the light. There will be times you may need a bright light, but the ability to choose the soft/warmer lighting can help set a mood when you simply want to relax or read a book.
Tip 6:
Occasionally rearranging your furniture can also be helpful in giving you a new outlook and contribute to a positive change in mood.
Tip 7:
Add touches to your home whenever you can afford it. This might be as simple as putting out a vase of fresh flowers or buying a new painting. Add a new appliance (like the 52″ HDTV you have been wanting). Choose items both for added visual appeal and their functionality.
Tip 8:
Keep the smell of your home always fresh. Use relaxing scents at home as air fresheners. According to aromatherapy, different scents stimulate different feelings. Whether feeling depressed or tense, aromatherapy offers a natural and drug-free way to feel balanced again.