Color Psychology
12/06/2009 Filed in: Design
The Impact of Paint
Color On Your Living Space
By Debbie Zimmer, The Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute
Perhaps many of you are contemplating new decorating and painting projects and perhaps aren’t aware of the impact that color has on our mood. Before you pick up that paint brush or roller, read through our color psychology information. It just might help you set the appropriate mood for your indoor space.
Red
packs a wallop, physiologically speaking, increasing
blood pressure, heartbeat and energy in most people.
It instills feelings of intimacy and passion. Red
also increases the appetite, which explains why it is
used so often in restaurants, and why it can be a
good choice for a formal dining room.
Orange,
like red, tends to warm a room, but in a more
friendly and welcoming way. As a result, paints in
various shades and tints of orange work well in
living rooms and family rooms.
Yellow
is also warm and welcoming, but it is more attention-
getting than either red or orange. For this reason,
it is a good paint color to use in poorly lit foyers
or dark hallways.
Blue,
which is part of the cool color palette, makes us
feel calm and tranquil, so it is ideal for use in
bedrooms. But since blue works as an appetite
suppressant (perhaps because there are few blue
foods) it is not the best option for a dining room
... unless you're on a diet.
Green
is another relaxing color that is much more versatile
than blue. Light greens are ideal for bedrooms and
living rooms; midtones are good for kitchens and
dining rooms (many foods are green). Also, because
green is calming, it is often used in hospitals,
workplaces and schools.
Violet
is a tricky color, psychologically speaking. Many
adults dislike purples, but are fond of the rose
family, which can work in many rooms, including
dining rooms, bedrooms and libraries. Young children,
on the other hand, respond favorably to violet, so
this color can be used successfully in children's
bedrooms and play areas.
By Debbie Zimmer, The Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute
Perhaps many of you are contemplating new decorating and painting projects and perhaps aren’t aware of the impact that color has on our mood. Before you pick up that paint brush or roller, read through our color psychology information. It just might help you set the appropriate mood for your indoor space.