The Psychology of Color: How Your Paint Choices Affect Mood and Behavior

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Colors have an effect on your mood whether you realize it out not. When you walk into a space you might instantly feel uplifted, relaxed, and happy; on the contrary, you can feel agitated and stressed without even understanding why.

It's a strange and almost magical experience that often has you thinking, What just happened? Believe it or not, color is one of the biggest factors in this mood-altering release. Yes! The paint color used on the walls affects our feelings and behavior. It's true, that understanding the theory/psychology of color is not just for artists or designers; it's something we all can use, (and should use) and with good reason, especially as we think about what color to paint our personal spaces. It is important to remember that color not only decorates a space but is responsible for affecting and even transforming how we feel in that space.

Why Colors Matter More Than You Think

Let’s be honest; picking paint colors for your home can be a real challenge sometimes. So many colors; so many variations of each color. And the pressure of making the wrong choice. Whose mind hasn’t questioned their color decisions????? Well, let me tell you something that will absolutely rock your world. Color isn’t just about making a room look beautiful. It’s also about affecting the way you live in that space. 

Color affects mood, behavior, happiness, productivity, and creativity. Want to have a relaxing room?? Want to feel more relaxed in your space, there’s a color for that. Need a room to aid the ability to focus? Yup, there’s a color for that too. Getting the right color for the atmosphere you want will create the right vibe and feeling; on the flip side, the wrong color could make the rooms feel off. 

The Secret Power of Colors: More Than Meets the Eye

Let's break down the psychology of some common colors. You probably have a gut feeling that you react differently to various shades, but let's take a peek behind the curtain as to why.

Red: This is the color of the extremes-love, passion, energy, excitement. Sure, red is a powerhouse, no doubt about it. Bold, daring, catches your eye in a split second. But, of course, the thing is this, while it can add much-needed vitality to a room, it can positively elevate your heart rate, and even increase aggressive or stressed thoughts. In any case, with red, a little goes a long way. It's wonderful in small doses, like accent walls and décor, but maybe a little too overwhelming for, say, your bedroom in which you're supposed to relax.

Blue: If red is the fire, blue is the ice. It's calming, serenely tranquil, and peaceful, hence the reason it's usually used in bedrooms and bathrooms. Lighter blues make a room feel wide and airy; darker blues sometimes add that touch of class and elegance. But beware too much blue, especially on the darker side, sometimes has a tendency to feel cold or uninviting in a room, particularly if the space is large.

Yellow: Sweet, sunny yellow, the official color of happiness and optimism! It's just a color that doesn't let you frown. This color works best in rooms in which one wants to feel energy and joy, like kitchens or creative rooms. Too much yellow, however-especially if it is too bright-can be overpowering. Babies have been shown to cry more in yellow rooms, and adults may possibly act anxious or frustrated. There does need to be a balance!

Green: The color of nature and balance. Because green is cool to the eyes, it is used regularly in living rooms, home offices, and bedrooms. It refreshes and calms one while invoking a sense of balance. Additionally, it goes quite nicely with almost any other style. However, similar to most colors, shade means everything. A dull, muddy green will not exactly produce that refreshing vibe you might intend for.

Neutrals: White, Gray, and Beige Contrasts aside, these are the classics, right? Subtle, sophisticated, and versatile white gives a room its cleanliness and space. Gray grounds and calms, while beige adds warmth. But here's the thing, done to excess, you run the risk of rendering a space sterile or flat. Can you imagine a room done totally in white, with no splashes of color or texture? It might well take on the resemblance of a waiting room in a hospital.

What happens if I Dont Like the Color?

Don't sweat it, if you try a color and you're just not feeling the vibe; there are ways to tone down or uplift the color without redoing the whole room. You can always shift the mood by adjusting lighting, adding complementary colors, or even adding complementary color decor pieces to adjust the energy.

For example, you select a dark blue for your living room, but now you feel it is a bit too moody. No worries, you don't have to break out the rollers just yet! What about warm lighting or adding in some bright art pieces to balance the cold aspect of the blue? Maybe your yellow kitchen feels like it is screaming at you every morning; don't repaint the whole thing just yet! First, soften it with neutral accents or plants to tone it down. 

How to Make the Right Color Choice

Now that you understand that color impacts both mood and behavior, how do you choose the right one for your space? 

Consider the Purpose of the Room

Consider how you want to feel in your space; will it be a place to lick back and relax after a long day, or is this a space where you need to focus? This will help you decide on your color choice. As a general rule, soft blues or greens make perfect choices for a quiet, tranquil bedroom; for a home office in which productivity will be essential, shades of yellow or light green can be creativity-inducing without overwhelming your senses.

Don't Rely Solely on Swatches

Paint swatches are helpful but sometimes can be deceiving. What looks good in the store can turn completely different under your home lighting conditions with the surrounding décor. So, before you make that serious commitment, take a few paint samples and try them on your walls. Live with them for a few days; observe how they look in different lighting: morning sunlight, afternoon shadows, and at night under artificial lights. You may be surprised at how different your opinion can be on any given day!

Think Small, Go Big

Still not sure about going bold? Start small; instead of painting an entire room, try adding color to one accent wall or smaller spaces like a powder room. That way, you get a feel for the color without committing. And if you love it, great! If you don't, you are not so far in, and it is pretty easy to adjust. Plus, accent walls are a really fun way to give personality to a space without overwhelming it.

Balance Bold with Neutral

Bold colors can make a room pop, but too much of them may overwhelm. How? The trick lies in the balance of those bold moves with neutral tones for harmony; For example, if you absolutely love that bright teal, marry it with soft whites or gray so that it doesn't overpower the room. If you want a palette that is primarily neutral, don't be afraid to add splashes of color via décor or artwork to keep things interesting.

The Effect of Light on Color

Here's something a lot of people don't think about, lighting changes everything; colors can look completely different depending on the lighting; natural sunlight will reveal the real hue, and incandescent or fluorescent lighting will drastically transform how the paint appears and its color.

Warm lighting creates a cozy atmosphere; making your space more inviting; using reds, yellows, and oranges are warm colors that look best when paired with warm light; conversely, cool lighting will bring out blues and greens; it is always wise to consider the lighting in your room before making the final decision on the paint color. 

Conclusion

Color isn't just about making your home look good; it's also about making your space feel good as well, picking the right paint color is not just about decorating, it's also about creating the right vibe for the space; it all comes down to understanding the psychological impact of your color choices.

Next time you stand before that endless wall of paint swatches, don't just think about what looks good; consider how each color makes you feel.