How Color Affects Your Mood in a Space

Color can make us feel a certain way when we see it depending on whether we like that particular color or not. One color can also can link memories and thoughts with certain colors. It is an amazing tool that can be used to signal action, influence mood, and even influence physiological reactions. Color can impact us all in different ways depending on personal taste and how we react to the color. When choosing colors for your home, pick colors that you tend to gravitate towards to make a cohesive theme throughout your home. Also, keep in mind what the room will be used for as well as this will also impact what color to choose.

Now let’s talk about the different colors and how they make us feel in a space. There are typically four groups of colors that I have grouped associated with moods that I like to use when choosing a color for a space. I believe that grouping colors into these groups helps to create a simple and easy to use process when picking a color scheme for an area.

There is a lot of research on how colors affect mood. The four color groups that I use for choosing a color for a space are:

Reds/Oranges/Yellows

Green/Blue

Purples/Black

Tan/Brown/Off-White

Warm shades like red and yellow links to feelings of excitement and energy. Hues from the cooler side of the color wheel, such as blue and green, are associated with calmness and relaxation. Neutral tones like off whites, tans and browns create a cozy and warm mood for a room. And finally blacks and purples fall in the category of deep and mysterious.

Having more than one color group chosen for a space is fine too! There are no rules that state you have to stay with a certain color group. My advice is to choose complementary colors as this will create a combination of various moods and emotions. For instance, a good complementary color combination are oranges and greens. Using these two colors in a space will create an energized and refreshing area. Also, don’t forget that within all of these color groups, you can add white or black to any of the colors to alter the mood affect. Adding white can soften and lighten a color. The more white that you add, the lighter the color. And when adding black to a color, it darkens it and almost makes it appear “dirty” and with a gray hue. The more black that you add, the darker and more intense the color will become.

So in conclusion, when it comes to choosing a color for your home, pick a color that you tend to lean heavily towards. If a certain color group doesn’t catch your eye, then ask yourself what you want to feel when you’re in that space. Using these two techniques will help to simplify your decision making when it comes to the best color for your space! Now get out there and don’t be scared in picking a new color for whatever project you have coming up!