The impact of color: From space perception to emotions

Green chair

Have you ever considered changing the color of your walls but felt a bit lost about where to start? Or maybe you’ve painted a room, and it didn’t quite have the impact you were hoping for? If that sounds like you, then hen you’re in the right place.

Color is one of the easiest and fastest ways to give a room a new look. But choosing the right color can be a bit daunting. In my opinion, considering the emotions you wish to evoke, is not only key in the process of defining your color palette, but also is a good starting point to develop the concept for your space.

Our perception of color is shaped by personal experiences, cultural backgrounds, and historical associations. For example, while red symbolizes love or danger in western countries, it represents luck and happiness in China. There are also some handy tools that can be used to identify hues which go in the direction of your style. The color wheel, for instance, shows the relationship between 12 primary, secondary, and tertiary colors, helping us see which ones complement each other. And color psychology can give us insights into how different colors can affect our mood. Let’s dive in and check out a few examples.

Color Wheel

Warm colors

Think of a sunset or a cozy fire, and you’ll get the idea of warm colors. Ranging from yellow to red, these hues can make a room feel more intimate and cozy.

Red: Depending on its intensity, red can stir up feelings of love, passion, or even anger.

Orange: This color is all about happiness, energy, and optimism.

Picture of a bunk bed
Picture of pink chairs
Picture of a breakfast nook

Cool colors

The colors from blue to green remind us water, sky, and nature. They create a fresh vibe and can make a space feel larger.
 
Green: Often associated with nature, green can evoke feelings of peace, serenity, and joy. A great way to add a touch of green is with plants, which I highly recommend. They truly elevate your space!
 
Blue: Blue has the opposite impact of red, creating a sense of calm and serenity, just imagine a sunny day by the blue sea.
Picture of a living room
Picture of a table with chairs
Picture of colorful clothes

Neutral colors

Neutral colors -black, brown, grey and white- bring a sense of balance and can be used as a backdrop as they go well with any other color.
 
Black: Depending on how it is used, black can suggest seriousness, elegance, strength, or even negativity. I personally love using it for accents in my home
 
White: Traditionally associated with calm and purity, it has a decluttering effect, but used in excess can feel sterile. To avoid this, try exploring its different shades (cream, ivory, etc.). Believe it or not, there is more to white than just pure white, there are thousands of shades!
Picture of a table and chairs
Picture of a breakfast nook
Picture of a white sofa

So there you have it! Color is a powerful tool for setting a mood, influencing how we feel, and shaping how we perceive a space. While it takes more than just color to transform a room, I believe it can make a significant difference! The key is to implement a harmonious color palette.

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