You might think that choosing colors for your home is easy – you just pick the ones you like, and that’s it. In most cases, you will get a satisfying result in a visual sense, but psychologically, the color you picked might not be the best choice for the purpose of the room. As you probably already know, certain colors make us feel a certain way, and color psychology is something you should keep in mind when designing your home. It can help you create not just visually pleasing spaces but also spaces that allow you to rest, work, or entertain your guests much more efficiently. With that in mind, here are some of the most popular colors and how you should use them around your apartment.
Blue
Blue is one of the most popular colors in general, and it’s not hard to see why. It is a very soothing color that can lower your blood pressure and help you relax, which is why it’s a good choice for the bedroom. You can also use it in your study, as it is known to boost creativity. Moreover, if you want to decrease your appetite and lose weight, use it in your kitchen.
Blue can make people moody though, especially those who tend to suffer from the winter blues, so perhaps you shouldn’t use it too much in your living room. In general, if you live in colder climates, it might be a good idea to opt for warmer colors or at least balance the blue with some warmer-colored accessories.
Green
The psychological effects of green are similar to those of blue. It can help you relax and clear your mind, since it’s usually associated with nature, vegetation, and spring. It’s a bit more cheerful than blue though, so it’s less likely to make people depressed and moody.
When combined with brown and yellow, it becomes perfect for your kitchen, as it can remind you of spring and sunshine. In the bedroom, it works best when combined with blue. This makes the room softer on the eyes and helps you rest. When combined with blue, it’s also a great choice for the bathroom, since it can help you create a spa-like atmosphere.
Red
Red is used to convey passion, love, and excitement, but it can also indicate danger and threat if the shade is too bright. It is known to increase appetite too, which is why it’s often used in restaurants, and it’s a good choice for your kitchen.
You can also use it in your living room if you want the room to feel more energizing and lively. Just don’t overdo it; as mentioned, too much red cause make people feel threatened, aggressive, and mad. Using it as wall décor, and adding pops of red with flowers and accessories can be more than enough to achieve the positive effect. In the bedroom, you can use it to enhance passion and romance. However, red can make it more difficult to fall asleep, so again, don’t overdo it.
White
Many people would say that white is boring or bland, because it’s usually used in hospitals, offices, and other facilities that don’t carry much personality. However, when used correctly, it has many benefits. For example, it can make your living room feel more spacious, which is great if you live in a smaller apartment. Also, if you think of it as a blank canvas, it actually gives you the freedom to add color with everything else, from bigger statement pieces to smaller accessories. This also means that you can change the effect you want to achieve just by changing the accessories instead of repainting the entire room, and it’s a method that can work in any room.
Brown
Brown is a great choice for when you want to create a cozy and comfortable environment. This is because it reminds people of earth, nature, chocolate, coffee, trees, and other comforting things. It metaphorically keeps you “down to earth”, so use it when you want to create a safe space.
Moreover, when used correctly, it can also make the room appear more luxurious and elegant. This depends on the materials used though; mahogany, for instance, is often used in libraries and spaces designated for quiet conversations.
Yellow
Light yellow is a cheerful color that invokes sunshine, happiness, and optimism. Darker yellow, on the other hand, can irritate people, so it’s not a good choice for a base color. Yellow is very popular in kitchens that receive a lot of sunshine since it can warm up the place during winter and freshen up the atmosphere during spring and summer. Moreover, it’s a good choice for halls and entryways, because it can visually expand the space.
Final note
When choosing the colors for your home, keep in mind that while people do respond similarly in general, there are always exceptions. For example, most people would say that black is the color of death and mourning. However, there are also people who would emphasize its timeless elegance and would enjoy being surrounded by it. Similarly, a color could evoke memories, both positive and negative, and this could influence one’s feelings towards that color regardless of the color psychology. With that in mind, color psychology is something you can rely on, but, when possible, one’s personal feelings should also be taken into account.
Colors can influence people’s emotions, both positively and negatively. So, when designing your home, consider the effects that different colors can have, and your apartment will be not just visually appealing but also much more functional.