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The Psychology of Colour

How We Interact with the Colours Around Us

Dec 23, 2008 Omeima Ismaiel

We are perhaps aware of the theory that relates our perception of colours to our moods and emotions. This is affected by factors such as culture and personal experience.

When contemplating decorating one’s interior, personal preferences almost always lead in making choices. However it is a good idea to be aware of how some colours are thought to affect our feelings and level of activity.

Colour Symbolism

In the web site Paint Cafe.com page titled "Colour Symbolism", it is believed that every colour carries images and symbols that are influenced by culture, history and circumstances."

Red (primary colour)

A warm colour – even hot. Stimulating to the senses. Red is for intense emotions of romance or anger and aggression. Red is for stop at the traffic lights. Red for royalty as in the red carpet treatment. Red makes a bold statement.

Yellow (primary colour)

Another warm colour, perhaps related to the sun. Engergetic and bright. Encourages positive action. Yellow is used in morning rooms as it is a wake-up colour. It can be playful and when combined with white stripes or dots can lose some of it's warmth and even be cool.

Orange (secondary colour, red + yellow)

Also a warm colour, however is not as bold as red nor as bright as yellow, the two colours of which it is constituted. Orange calls one to attention and has high visual impact.

Green (secondary colour, blue + yellow)

Generally a cool colour, even though it has yellow in it. Peaceful and restful. Tinted green is very cool. Green with higher proportion of yellow takes on warm characteristics and becomes strong and stimulating, even uncomfortable.

Blue (primary colour)

A cool colour, it invokes feelings of serenity and peace. Blue skies and oceans. Dark blue stands for authority, power and presence. Blue can make a statement.

Purple (secondary colour, blue + red)

A warm colour – can be cool with a higher proportion of blue. Expresses richness, opulence and sophisticated presence. Powerful. Sensuous and deeply romantic.

Choosing the Colour Palette of your home.

What would be the best colours to use in your living spaces? Using the characteristics attributed to colours, the function of the spaces would then guide one towards the choice of the interior theme. Here are some examples. Yellow is suitable for the entrance lobby and morning or breakfast room. Red would go well in the dining area as it is thought to enhance and stimulate the appetite. Purple or dark red would go well in the bedroom. A child’s nursery can combine greens, blues and tinted purple - even bits and pieces of all colours tinted with white for a calm, playful theme.

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