When designing our homes, we tend to choose our favorite colors or those that are in vogue without being fully aware how colors can affect the human state of mind. Studies show that a person’s moods are influenced by the colors around them. Thus, choosing the best interior paint color combination can make a difference in how we feel every time we are within the comforts of our homes.
It is often a tricky job to select a stylish interior paint color combination that won’t become outmoded within a year. While there can be a wide range of colors to choose from the color wheel, combining two or more colors can create different effects that can enhance our moods and make us feel more comfortable in the place we call home. Understanding the chemistry of colors and their psychological effects can help us to pick the right color scheme for every part of our house.
The Psychology of Basic Colors
• Green is the color of life and nature. It is symbolic of freshness, health, and calmness. Most grocery stores paint their walls in green to create the impression of good health and fresh food. It also soothes and calms a person’s senses. Using the more neutral shades of green such as olive and sage can be effective in putting one in a positive spirit. Green is a popular choice for bathrooms and kitchens. However, green can be a little bit tricky on certain surfaces like walls and fabrics because it is one of the colors with several hues. It is best to avoid using green when there are many trees and grasses that are visible from the target area, otherwise the painted surface can look pale in comparison to the natural greens outside.
• Blue has the universal calming effect of the sky and the sea. Hence, when used in an interior paint color combination, it can cause serenity and coolness. With its relaxing and clean shade, men and women alike favor the color for their bathrooms and bedrooms. When used in any part of the house, blue can create a meditative atmosphere conducive to intellectual ponderings. Because of its calming effect, blue is attributed to cool down emotions and aggressive behaviors.. The see-through quality of the color makes it a perfect choice for walls to create a more expansive space illusion and to make any room feel cooler.
• Red evokes power and excitement. It is vibrant and causes stimulation. This is why it is often the dominating color in restaurants, as it is effective in stirring the discriminating taste buds of dining patrons. Red has a variety of meanings. As a powerful color, it is used as a signal for danger such as in fire, traffic stop sign, and alert level of threat. It is associated with human passion like anger and bravery, not to mention influence. Its psychological effect is dictated by its saturated hues and when combined with other colors. So, while fiery red sofa can make the heart beats faster, a muted baby pink pillow can evoke its feminine warmness and comfort.
• Yellow creates a bright, optimistic ambiance for the home. The warm and sunny tones of yellow are believed to bring cheerful dispositions to any occupant. The bright tints remind people of sunshine which energizes them to put their intellectual, physical, and emotional senses into motion. The effects that yellow create largely depends on its color intensity and hue. For example, the natural shade of yellow on a wall can produce a burst of sunlight inside the house while a more intense tint can make one feel irritable after staying for a while.
Even without realizing it, we are affected by the colors that surround us. Being armed with some knowledge on the psychological effects of interior paint color combination on our moods and personalities can help us in choosing the best color shades to truly make our home a comfort zone.