How to Use Colour Psychology to Decorate Your Home

What is Colour Psychology?

Colour psychology is the stufy of how colours effect us psychologically and what emotional, behavioural responses we have when are exposed to different colours. Our brains are biologically and culturally hardwired to react differently to different colours and tones of colours which are warm and cool. For example, warm colours such as red and orange tend may make us feel energized and stimulated. Whereas, cooler colours like blue and green may elicit feelings of calmness and relaxation.

How Does This Matter In Home Decorating?

When it comes to decorating your home with different coloured wallpaints, furnitures, throw rugs, cushions etc., colour psychology allows us to make intentional colour choices based on what we are drawn to the most and the mood we are trying to create. Having an understanding of what emotions and moods different colours elicit for us is a powerful tool for creating nurturing and functional spaces depending on what the room is used for.

How To Use Colour Psychology in Your Home?

Start by identifying what mood and purpose you are wanting to create for your chosen room or space of your home. Is it a bedroom that you want to feel restful and relaxing? Is it a workspace or living room that you might want to feel uplifting and energizing? Maybe you want your kitchen to feel cheerful and enhance social interactions. Whatever it is, use this guide below to help you make the most intentional colour choice decisions for your home, based on what different colours can evoke:

Color Psychology Guide for the Home

RED

Psychological effect: Increases energy, appetite and overall is stimluating.

Use in the home: Best used in kitchens, dining rooms and areas where you gather socially. Too much red can sometimes be overwhelming and often a small pop here and there is all you need.

GREEN

Psychological effect: Balances emotions, promotes rest, relaxation and connects us to nature.

Use in the home: Ideal in bedrooms and living rooms to create a sense of peace and calm.

BLUE

Psychological effect: Reduces stress, encourages inspiration and creativity and focus.

Use in the home: Great for workspaces, bedrooms and bathrooms.

YELLOW

Psychological effect: Stimulates focus, optimism, creativity and overall boosts mood.

Use in the home: Perfect for workspaces, playrooms and even kitchen. Use sparingly as too much can be overstimulating.

PINK

Psychological effect: Promotes love, self-care, kindness and creates nurturing energy. Works beautifully in bedrooms, nurseries and cozy reading nooks.

ORANGE

Psychological effect: Improves confidence, emotional balance and creates a warm, connected feel. Great in workspaces and living rooms.

BLACK & GREY

Psychological effect: Adds drama, balance and depth.

Use in the home: Great accents in modern or minimalist spaces. Greys work well in nearly any room.

WHITE & Neutrals

Psychological effect: Creates calmness, clarity and open space. Also reflects light.

Use in the home: A fantastic foundation for any room and ideal for smaller spaces or when layering textures and colour with decor.

Other key factors to consider

Always consider the lighting, including natural light and artificial light, in your home when making colour choices as it can make colours appear differently. For example, a sage green wall may appear warm and earthy in the afternoon if it receives a lot of natural light however might appear cool and muted in a room that recieves minimal natural night. Similarly, artificial warm lighting might make the colour give off yellow tones and a crisp and fresh appearance under cool lighting.

Tip: When choosing a paint colour for a wall, patch test on the wall or use paint swatches at different times of day to see the colour appearance under different lighting.

Something else to consider that influences how colour appears in your home is layering colours with different textures. Layering textures such as rattan, linen, wood or soft knits make any colour feel warmer and more grounded.

Also remember you don’t need to repaint an entire room a different colour to have a dramatic effect as well. Simply layering a range of different items with colours such as cushions, throw rugs, wall art, bedding and other decor accessories is enough to have excellent psychological effect that will shift the mood.

Final Thoughts…

Colour choice in your home isn’t just visual, it’s emotional. With some basic knowledge of colour psychology, you can make intentional choices that can influence the moods you want to create in different areas of your home that supports every family member’s well-being.