In the United States, just about everyone knows that it’s proper to wear black to a funeral and that unless you’re the bride, you don’t wear white to a wedding. But when it comes to color selection in your home, what rules do you go by? Is there a method to your madness, or do you simply choose your favorite colors? Colors influence so much more than just the aesthetic of a space. They can establish a mood or theme. Therefore, if you want to give your home a design that will improve your mood and express who you are, it helps to know even the very basics of color psychology. Let’s go over them.
Primary Colors
We’ll begin with the primary colors, the first of which is red. Red typically symbolizes energy, war, danger, strength, power, determination, passion, desire, and love. It can have the effects of enhancing metabolism, making breathing more rapid, and raising the blood pressure. Studies show that red also attracts attention more than any other color. Common shades of red include magenta, burgundy, and maroon.
The second primary color is yellow. Yellow has been shown to increase mental awareness and energy levels. It can increase activity in the left side of the brain, which is responsible for rational thought. However, when it is overdone, yellow can have a disturbing effect on people, and babies have been shown to cry more often in yellow rooms. Some shades of yellow include amber and gold.
The final primary color is blue. The feeling most often evoked by blue is calmness, especially when blue is associated with still water. Blue can also represent introversion, and it has the opposite effects of red, which is to say blue can lower blood pressure and heart rate while slowing metabolism. Popular shades of blue include teal and turquoise.
Secondary Colors
The first secondary color is green. Green is often associated with a connection to nature. It can also represent purity, health, and freshness. Green can have calming effects, like blue, and can help to slow metabolism. A common shade of green is chartreuse.
The next secondary color is orange. Since orange is made with yellow and red, its effects can best be described as a combination of those of the two primary colors: rejuvenation, communication, and positivity. Orange may also help to release people’s inhibitions, allowing them to feel more comfortable when socializing. Shades of orange include tangerine and saffron.
The final secondary color is purple. Purple is most associated with royalty and nobility. It combines the energy of red with the stability of blue, helping to create a sense of wisdom. Shades of purple include violet, indigo, lavender, and mauve.
Neutral Colors
Of course, some people prefer to keep things simple when it comes to interior design, so let’s talk about black and white – the classic neutral colors – for a moment.
White stands for purity, wholeness, and innocence. It’s an excellent choice for those looking to get rid of a cramped or disorganized feeling in a space, as it’s also associated with cleanliness and order. Bridal gowns and lab coats are generally white for a reason. Finally, white can represent a new beginning.
Black is a tough color to pin down, as it has numerous and sometimes contradictory interpretations. Depending on who you ask, black can represent the height of elegance (the little black dress) or the depths of depression (funeral wear). Therefore, black be can be used to convey power, elegance, formality, death, evil, and mystery. While it can mean strength and authority, it’s also the Western color of grieving.
Custom Homebuilding Services From Davis & Reed Homes
While color has been shown to stimulate the brain in some cases, color psychology is far from an exact science. As you’ve seen, the same color can often have very different meanings, depending on the person. Even if you are sure about what colors you’d like to use, you may lack the expertise to maximize and harmonize the use of color in a space. That’s where Davis & Reed Homes comes in.
We are a full-service home builder serving Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri. We can incorporate your color preferences effectively no matter the size and scope of the project. We offer the finest products available anywhere, such as Cambria countertops and Schrock cabinetry. Whether you’re looking to remodel your home or have your dream home built from the ground up, our skilled and experienced team would be happy to help.
Our expertise goes far beyond color theory. Our team can work on every aspect of the project, including electrical and plumbing work. Therefore, you’ll only have one point of contact throughout, making things much simpler and more convenient. We’re also locally and family owned, so you can expect a level of customer service that’s as high as the quality of our work. We’re never far away if you have any questions or concerns regarding your project.
If you’d like to learn more about color psychology or need some help determining what the best color patterns would be for your home building project, please contact the pros at Davis & Reed Homes to schedule a consultation. We look forward to serving you!