Color Psychology
How Colors Influence Your Emotions
Color my mood
I can be having a perfectly happy day, but then I sit in a living room with room-darkening dark blue curtains. I start feeling sad. You bet, I leave that room sulking. “A light blue is not associated with a poor mood, but a dark blue is,” Whorwell said. “The shade of color is more important than the color itself.” I guess this is where the phrase “feeling blue” comes from.
WHAT IS COLOR PSYCHOLOGY?
Color Psychology is a study of how the brain perceives different colors. Colors have the power to alter our senses, convey our feelings, convince us to make a certain decision or improve our memory.
COOL COLORS
Cool colors like green, blue, and purple are more relaxing to be around. Often darker shades of cool colors can be associated with depression. This is why it’s important to have a balance of colors in your home and office. “Purple is often used to help spark creativity as it’s a mixture of blue (calm) and red (intense).”
WARM COLORS
On the VIBGYOR (or ROYGBIV) spectrum, red, orange, and yellow are the brightest colors symbolizing energy. Red is very fiery and passionate. Yellow and Orange are optimistic and cheerful colors. Orange combines the energy of red and the happiness of yellow. Of course, you don’t want to paint your entire room a bright color and be an insomniac. But try adding sunflowers, orange pillows, or red scenery to a dull white room. You will feel the proper balance between relaxing and energy.
HAPPY COLORS
Warm colors can also be happy colors. Lighter colors like pink, coral, and lilac are also uplifting. “The brighter and lighter a color, the more happy and optimistic it will make you feel.”
CALMING COLORS
Pastel colors have a calming effect. Baby blue, mint, and light green are all calming. It’s often advised to paint the inside of your home a pastel color . Neutral colors like beige or white also have a soothing effect.
ENERGIZING COLORS
Bright warm and neon colors are usually associated with feeling energetic. Highly pigmented colors have the same stimulating effect. These colors will make you feel more alert. Wear a bright shirt on a gloomy day and see what happens.
COLORS AND EMOTIONS ARE LINKED
Color is not universal. Different colors can have different meanings in other cultures. For example, most western brides wear white for their wedding, but North Indian brides wear a bright color like red or orange; White is usually for funerals. A color that may invoke positive emotions in one person can be negative for another. So pay attention to how you feel around certain colors.
