Colour Psychology - part 1

Colour is capable of impacting our mood, affecting our behaviour and altering our thinking both on an unconscious and conscious level. From choosing the colour you paint your walls, to what colour fabrics you choose to dress in, to the colour of your dinnerware can either enhance your life in a positive way or have a negative impact on your emotions and how you perceive an environment.

On a day to day basis we probably don’t give colour much thought, but the reality is that we are surrounded by it. So why not make it work for you?

Red

You are probably already familiar with the emotions associated with ‘red’: love, passion, lust, rage and anger to name a few. But it is also a dynamic colour that can be energising and stimulating. It might be seen as bold, but also warm and safe. It is especially helpful when it comes to asserting oneself. Interestingly children are very attracted to the colour red – picking red toys over other colours, but when they are placed in a red painted environment it has a habit of making them irritable and agitated. This is a lesson for our own décor, a certain amount of red will invite a cosy feel especially in a lounge – a throwback to Victoria times when plush red colours were seen as very grand, but too much of the colour and we are likely to feel unsettled.

Pink

The colour pink tends to be considered feminine; it is a much softer gentler version of red. There are several sayings that suggest pink is a positive colour: ‘in the pink’ or ‘life is rosy’. Once upon a time pink would have been considered a sexy colour and was associated with skin tone, but nowadays it is more likely to invoke a parenting instinct. Pink is a popular colour for both adult bedrooms as well as little girl’s rooms. It is a good idea when using the colour for this purpose to balance with some blue or green, this should leave you feeling both physically relaxed as well as refreshed upon waking.

Blue

Blue is an expansive colour that we associate with the sea and the sky, largely speaking it has a calming effect and is known as a healing colour and one of intellect. Blue is highly revered in both fashion and in décor. Denim of course has played a large part in this covering every shade from faded blue/white to dark indigo. Dark blue is often associated with authority and efficiency, perhaps in part as it is used as a choice for many service/military uniforms like police offers or pilots etc. Of course blue does have a negative connotation as recognised in the saying ‘the blues’, but for most of us on an unconscious level blue will instil logical thought when we are stressed and is self-centring.

Yellow

When we think about yellow, we immediately think of the sun. Of all colours the golden shade has the highest reflectivity. It is a bright, bold and extraverted colour. We associate the colour with nature; it highlights the colour of both spring and autumn. It is an optimistic shade and creativity blossoms under it. It suggests attractiveness and so is again used in fashion – think platinum blonde hair! It can always be relied upon to brighten a space, but it is a highly stimulating colour and so those using it should be prepared for the fact it will bring out emotions – both good and bad.

Ref: Colour Therapy: The Symbolism, use and healing effects of colour