Colour Psychology and Painting

Knowledge of how colour affects your conscious and subconscious mind can change your life. It can inspire you to discover more about yourself and to embrace who you really are. The colour scheme that you select for a room can create the mood of the individuals who enter the space. Psychologists believe that colour can inspire people to action, conjure up memories from the past, promote intellectual thought, or even calm the human spirit.

When you prepare to select paint colours for decorating, consider the effect that the colour scheme you choose will have on people in the space. Below are some examples of colour and the mood that it inspires.

Neutral colours like sand, shell, coral and pearl create a sense of peace and well-being. Natural tones have historically been known for creating a mood of serenity in human beings. These are excellent colours for walls and furniture, with other shades being used for accent pieces throughout the décor.

Grey, blue, red, burgundy and cranberry create a mood that inspires intellectual thought. These colours also lead the individual to think of travel and education. While many may consider some shades of these colours to be too bold, the colour red, for example, is sharp and clean, leading to a mood of intellectual security and freedom. Depending on the shades of these colours, they can be used as either one of the prominent colours in the room or as accent colours that compliment neutrals.

Bubble gum pink, buttercup, wintergreen, all the berry colours and crayon colours are playful colours that can create a mood of excitement in any room. The decorator should be careful in the use of these colours because if overdone they can also lead to an exhaustive feeling after some time. Yet, when used in moderation these colours lead to a mood of movement, activity, playfulness and freedom. When used in a child’s room, for example, these colours should be offset by both natural and intellectual colours to ensure that the mood of the room does not create a mood of too much activity.

Colour psychology has become an important part of the interior design project in the last few decades. Colour psychology focuses on how colours that exist around us create moods, or induce certain emotions.

Red: The colour red inspires passion and intimacy. It is a good choice when you want to stir up excitement, particularly at night. In the living room or dining room, red draws people together and stimulates conversation. In an entryway, it creates a strong first impression. Red has been shown to raise blood pressure, speed respiration and heart rate. It is usually considered too stimulating for bedrooms, but if you’re only in the room after dark, you’ll be seeing it mostly by lamplight, when the colour will appear muted, rich, and elegant. Red, the most intense, pumps the adrenaline like no other hue.

Yellow: The colour yellow captures the joy of sunshine and communicates happiness. It is perfect for kitchens, dining rooms, and bathrooms, where happy colours are energizing and uplifting. In halls, entries, and small spaces, yellow can feel expansive and welcoming.

Blue: While some people may contend that blue is a cold colour, colour psychology focuses on blue as a tranquil and calm colour because it can be associated with water. Blue is an excellent choice for bedrooms, guest rooms and living rooms. With so many shades of blue to choose from, there are many possibilities with blue as a central colour in the décor of your home.

Green: This colour is considered a natural, peaceful inclusion in decorating. Colour psychology suggests that green can be used in any room because it is welcoming and inviting. Many people elect to use green in their kitchens, either as a central colour or as an accent colour because of the traditional use of kitchens as a gathering place for families and friends.

Orange: Most people associate orange with Halloween. Colour psychology suggests that this is because orange creates a mood of warmth and seasonal change that brings happiness in the fall season. Orange is a good colour to use in living rooms or family rooms for this reason.

Violet: An important colour in colour psychology, violet is considered the most effective colour when attempting to create calm and tranquil moods. Many modern operating rooms will paint their recovery areas in violet for this reason.