Paint Your Walls, Change Your Mood
Posted by ecreal on August 23rd, 2009
Got the blues? Red hot? Green with envy? Did you know that the color of your walls can change your mood? It’s true; certain colors can evoke different emotions in people. Here’s a guide to wall colors that will have you running to the store to collect more paint samples!
RED
Red is a very intense color. It has been proven to raise blood pressure, increase heart rate, and speed respiration. Darker reds are associated with rage and hostility. Reds have also been shown to increase hunger.
Tip: Avoid using red for an entire room.
Rooms: An accent wall in your living room or bedroom.
ORANGE
The emotions induced by the color orange can vary depending on hue. Lighter hues will bring about feelings of enthusiasm and excitement. Darker hues can increase appetite and give off an enlightened feeling. In ancient cultures, orange was believed to heal the lungs and increase energy.
Tip: Stay away from construction cone orange—it will overwhelm.
Rooms: Kitchen, dining area, family room, or basement.
YELLOW
Yellow is believed to stimulate nerves and purify the body. Be careful when using this color because its effects can either make people feel happy or make them feel frustrated and angry. It has also been associated with crying in babies.
Tip: Paint small areas yellow to make them appear larger.
Rooms: Kitchen, dining room, bathroom, hallway, or closet.
GREEN
Green gives off the feelings of comfort and security. It is the most restful color for the eye and is believed to help in relieving stress. Greens are typically associated with wealth and taste. In some cultures the color green is even believed to promote fertility.
Tip: Be careful if you decide to use green in your bathroom, since the wrong hue can make your skin tone look sickly in the mirror.
Rooms: Bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, or den.
BLUE
Usually, blue is considered to be a soothing color that relaxes the mind and increases creativity. It has been shown to lower blood pressure as well as slow respiration and heart rate. This can sometimes induce feelings of depression and lethargy. Pastel blues can come across as chilly in rooms that receive a great deal of natural light.
Tip: Avoid using blue in your kitchen.
Rooms: Bedroom, bathroom, or office.
PURPLE
Purple is the color of royalty and femininity. It gives off the feeling sensuality and luxury. Darker values of purple come off as rich and sophisticated. While lighter ones bring the same restfulness of blues. It has even been said that Leonardo da Vinci believed a lavender light could enhance meditation.
Tip: Purple isn’t just for kids’ rooms anymore, so don’t be afraid to use it.
Rooms: Office, bedroom, or bathroom.
BROWN
Painting your walls brown can create a comfortable and inviting ambiance. Many people naturally associate browns with rich foods, like chocolate and caramel. This color makes rooms appear slightly smaller, consequently making for a cozy atmosphere.
Tip: Browns are dark, so be sure you have adequate lighting.
Rooms: Bedroom, family room, kitchen, or entryway.
BLACK
Black is considered a risky color to use on your walls because it creates a very dark space. Using black for an entire room will promote feelings of uneasiness and discomfort. No matter how you use black in a room, it will be dramatic, and be noticed.
Tip: Use black to with a high contrast color.
Rooms: An accent color for small areas of trim or decorative embellishments.
WHITE
White is a controversial color to use. It can either feel light and airy, or cold and uninviting. Without the proper accessories (i.e. pictures, window treatments, lighting) white can be sterile and depressing, much like a hospital room.
Tip: Use an accent color or decorative elements to liven it up.
Rooms: Neutral rooms.
Whichever color you decide to use, be sure that it makes you feel good. And don’t be afraid to repaint!
Photo by: Wallula Junction // CC BY 2.0
Sources: Associated Content. www.associatedcontent.com. Freshome Interior Design & Architecture. http://freshome.com.
One Response to “Paint Your Walls, Change Your Mood”
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I’m big on just painting one wall to accent a room. I like bright and bold color personally.