Ah, color psychology. It’s one of those invisible sciences of emotional manipulation that can feel made up when you look at it on paper. However, everyone from business owners to web developers to interior designers uses color psychology to influence the mood and emotions of their clients.
So, how can color psychology play a key role in residential interior design? How do the colors you choose in each room affect the feel of your home? Here’s what you need to know.
Color Theory Is Not Color Psychology
First things first, let’s clarify some definitions. Color theory and color psychology have been used interchangeably on the internet (most famously on Tumblr). However, the two refer to very different concepts.
Color theory refers to how colors look next to one another. This also plays a key role in home interior design, as you don’t want colors that clash to make up the majority of a room’s decor.
Color psychology, on the other hand, refers to how colors affect us on an emotional level. It references the symbols and associations called to mind by a specific shade.
Why Color Psychology Works for the Interior Home Designer
So, why does color psychology work, not just in interior design for residences, but any field? The human mind has an incredible capacity for pattern-making and association. Many of these associations happen on a subconscious level, making it easy to discount them.
However, vibrant colors that call to mind blood, flushed faces, or sunlight can feel as though they energize us. The gentle greens and blues of a forest or a clear sky can offer relaxation. Sterile, blue-toned white shades can make a space feel impersonal, like a hospital.
Someone who specializes in residential interior design knows these associations and moods like the back of their hand.
Color Psych Shorthand for Residential Interior Design
So, if you want to incorporate color psychology into your decor without calling a home interior designer, then what? Our handy guide below will show you some common color associations that might work well for certain rooms. For instance:
- Lighter shades, especially blues and greens, work well in rooms that require a serene feeling
- Vibrant shades work best as accent walls in living or working spaces of the home
- Subdued colors work best for bedrooms, as you want to be able to relax
- Modern aesthetics tend to stick to a monochrome palette, but this can feel impersonal
Hopefully, this little cheat sheet for color psychology in interior design for homes helps you during your next remodel or redecoration.
Looking for More Information About Interior Design for Homes?
Residential interior design is a complicated field that goes beyond your basic aesthetic sensibilities. If you’d like to learn more about all the things that make your home’s interior design harmonize, then why not check out our blog? We update each day with more helpful and educational home improvement articles like this one!