Homeowners often wrestle with what colors and shades they want to utilize when painting or re-painting rooms within their living spaces. Some of the most common factors people consider throughout this process include how much natural light will be interacting with the given room or how the color fits in with the rest of the home’s layout. However, a consideration that finds itself being overlooked time and time again is the mood and atmosphere a selected color can provide a space.
Discovering more about the benefits of supercharging the message you want your room to send is one of the ways to personalize your space beyond just the coloring of the walls. Interior painters in Doylestown, PA are well-versed in this arena, but it’s of value to homeowners as well. Below we’ll discuss the information you need to know to communicate silently through your home with color alone!
Take a Vested Interest in Color Psychology
Color psychology is fascinating in its own right, however, in the context of how it can be applied to interior painting it becomes even more so. The powerful psychological effect that color can have on people has been studied extensively. So much so, that certain emotions and feelings have become affixed to specific colors. Knowing which colors elicit a given emotion could influence your next painting decision. Here are some common colors and the emotions that have been associated with them:
- Blue: Known for its calming effect, blue reduces stress and lowers blood pressure. It’s ideal for bedrooms, bathrooms, and spaces where you want to unwind. Lighter blues feel airy and open, while darker blues bring depth and coziness.
- Green: Reminiscent of all things natural and occurring, evokes the balance and peace of nature. Perfect for home offices (for focus), living rooms (for tranquility), and kitchens (for freshness). It also has the added benefit of being highly compatible with spaces that incorporate a great deal of natural lighting.
- Yellow: Yellow has long been labeled a color that you either love or hate. It’s usually associated with happiness and optimism, as it can lift moods and energize a room. However, too much yellow or a shade that’s too potent can be overbearing. Utilize softer yellows for kitchens or entryways. This can help invite your guests in with positive thoughts.
- Red: Red is another hot-button color, lending itself to either love or scorn. It’s highly energizing, stimulating and can increase heart rate and appetite. Best used in dining rooms or social spaces, but typically as an accent.
- Purple: Typically donned by creatives and those who live in luxury. Lighter purples, like lilac and lavender, are soothing, thus making them ideal for bedrooms, while darker purples feel rich and dramatic.
- Neutrals and Darker Colors: Neutrals such as whites, grays, taupes, and beiges create balance and space. They’re perfect as a base for layering colors or for minimalist spaces that rely on texture. Darker colors such as navy, charcoal, or forest green add drama and sophistication. These are best utilized in cozy studies, moody bedrooms, or elegant dining rooms.
Match the Mood to the Room’s Purpose
It seems like it should go without saying, however, sometimes we fall in love with a color so deeply without truly diagnosing if it’s right for the room we want to use it in. For example, you wouldn’t want to drape an office in an aggressive or distracting shade of red. This can inspire feelings of anger, dread and overall frustration which will no doubt take its toll on your efficiency. Softer shades here will pair much better with your creative aspirations and will lead to a lighter, airy thinking space.
On the other hand, you wouldn’t want to opt for a color that’s too gentle, say a shade of blue for example. This could effectively keep you from accruing stress during your work day but it can also promote unproductivity in a different sense. Too soft of a blue can contribute to feelings of tiredness, inactivity and excessive comfort when your mind needs to be engaged. It’s a delicate balance that goes hand-in-hand with your understanding of color psychology. Once you become adept in these conditions, painting in Warrington, PA will never be easier.
Remain Aware of the Power of Light
Both natural and artificial lighting should be strongly factored in when you ultimately decide upon a color for your new office or bathroom. Natural lighting can greatly affect the timbre of both North and South-facing rooms. North-facing rooms tend to feel cooler and deeper and warmer undertones should be used to counteract this frigidity. South-facing rooms receive warmer undertones and again you want to provide the yin to the yang here as cool tones can help balance the brightness.
These are just some of the many facets that should be considered when contemplating what mood you want to establish with your next coat of paint. Paying attention to things like color psychology, the uses of a given space and the effect lighting can have on our perception of a room’s feel can help bring a living, breathing aura to your home. In any case, if you have any further questions about how to properly consider or balance colors, you should consult the professionals at Proper Painting. They combine years of experience and their dedication to their customers that can’t be matched. If you want to discuss a given color or would like an expert to do the painting, get in touch with us today. We’d love to hear from you!
