Color Psychology

Have you heard of the psychology of color? I just attended an interesting presentation at the design center on this very topic. Color is a fascinating topic for this Philadelphia designer - whether color theory or color psychology.  This blog visits the latter. 

We all respond to color from our cultural bias (!True!), as well as our experiential bias. However there are psychological studies done on this topic as well. Thanks to these findings, you are affected, Jane Q. Public. That's right. There's a reason you'll see orange in fast food restaurants (studies show it stimulates appetite) or that you'll see soft greens in hospitals, used for their calming effects. In simplest terms, color has its own language and it makes us feel a certain way. Color can be used to harmonize a space, to alter a space, to set the mood and ambiance of a space. But, from the viewpoint of color psychology, it affects personal mood and feelings based upon the above caveats. Here's a quick look:



1. Red
Red is the first color newborns can see after their initial perception of black and white. They don't see pastels...contrary to popular nursery design. Studies have shown that red can raise blood pressure and heart rate, also acting as a mental stimulant. (Maybe I need a red office?) Because red stimulates appetite, some say food tastes better when surrounded by red – no wonder it’s such a great and popular choice for dining rooms.

 
2. Blue
Color psychologists believe blue to act like red’s opposite. It’s thought to decrease the pulse rate, lower body temperature, and reduce appetite. (Hmmmm...on that theory...what if my chocolate was wrapped in blue…note to self…) Color psychologists notice blue causes the body to produce calming chemicals, so it is a good choice in interiors where relaxation is desired.



3. Yellow
Yellow has been proven to stimulate the brain in various studies. This stimulation can make you more alert and decisive, helping memory and promoting clear thinking. Hey, with a yellow kitchen, you just might not need that extra cup of coffee in the morning!


4. Green
Green is often used in decorating for its calming effect. It is the color of the outdoors. I remember reading in my QVC host training days that precious gem cutters will sometimes rest their weary eyes for a bit by staring at green emerald or jade or some other such green subject for a bit. Green imparts a fresh, organic feel and sensibility to a space. No wonder it's thought to relax our muscles and help us breathe more deeply and slowly.

 

5. Purple
Purple is a wonderful and mysterious color in that it is the combination of two complete opposites on the color wheel – red and blue. Purple can be invigorating or calming, depending on how much red or blue it contains as well as how saturated it is (...how deep it is). Think soft lavendar vs. electrified violet,  pictured left.


In the end, color does have a profound effect on how we feel – that is how WE feel – not what color theorists say. Blue may be the color of “heaven" for one of my clients - and the color of “not on your life” for another. I always find it fascinating to notice the colors that keep showing up in a client's inspiration photos. It tells me so much about who they are and what they crave.It's up to me as their designer to use color wisely in order to coax and carve a space to achieve our shared marvelously beautiful and evocative goal. 
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