Colour can brighten our day, activate our memory or even stimulate our appetite. But what is the correct colour for your space and how do you choose it? Let’s look at three warm colours and how they can influence a mood or space.
Colour is directly associated with our mood, which is why we say ‘feeling blue’ or ‘green with envy’. So choosing the correct colour for a living space can make a profound difference to daily life.
Colour attracts our brain to connect so strongly that it greatly impacts how we feel about our space, but also about a brand. Before a company chooses a logo or branding, they hold a colour therapy consultation to ensure they’re getting their message across. For example, McDonald’s chose red and yellow to imply energy and fun. But a financial services corporation might use blue, navy, grey and black to show trust and professionalism.
Red
Red is a stimulant colour which gives energy and draws attention to a focus point. Avoid red in relaxation or bedroom areas as excess red can cause aggression.
- Stimulates energy
- Increases enthusiasm
- Promotes action and confidence
Orange
Orange may be a divisive colour, but its warmth can change the mood of your room. It creates a social, energetic feel making it great for a dining room or gym.
- Inspires activity
- Stimulates appetite
- Encourages socialisation
Yellow
Yellow inspires optimism, enlightenment and happiness. It sparks creativity and memory making it great for a play or study room.
- Stimulates the mind and nervous system
- Activates memory
- Encourages communication
Once you know what mood you’d like to achieve, you then need to balance the purpose of the room with the psychology of the colour.
Energetic colours work best in busier areas like kitchens, playrooms, dining rooms and social areas. Some energetic colours can have a positive impact on home offices. Bedrooms should be painted in pastel colours to support relaxation and sleep. Overuse of a strong colour in the bedroom can have a serious impact on our mental health.
Before you select your next colour, consider where it is going and what effect you’re hoping to achieve. That way you’ll know you have the correct colour.
Has changing the colour of a space has made a difference in how you feel in it? Tell us about it.