Colour Psychology - The Emotional Effects of Colours

Sun, 23 Jul 2023

How do you feel about colour? Are you (like me) and simply love it or do you prefer things a bit more subtle? Let’s talk about colour and its emotional effects.

The colours we choose to have around us say a lot about the way we feel and want to feel. They can animate or depress, stimulate or tranquilise, make larger or smaller, invite conversation or disagreement and mood of the people who use a space.

Hospital rooms, classrooms, fast food restaurants and offices are painted in colours to influence the mood of the people who use these spaces. For example, Red is an appetite stimulator and an eye catching colour, which is why many fast food restaurants use the colour red.

The first step in relinquishing fear in the use of colour is to understand the physiological effects it has on us.

Red: Symbolises happiness and contentment, emotion and passion. Reddish tones generate a sensation of heat and tend to visually advance towards you. As red softens towards pink, it seems more relaxed, friendly and feminine.

Orange: A warm colour, closely associated with autumn and the earth. Stimulating, spiritually optimistic, and generates energy and happiness. Psychologically, it is animated, expansive, rich and extroverted. Oriented towards food, and so often used in kitchens.

Yellow: Traditionally associated with intelligence. Colour of Spring, the sun, light, intensity, happiness – stimulates and animates. In its purest form, radiates heat and inspiration. Frequently used in children’s rooms. In China has always been a favourable colour.

Green: Colour of life and the silent power of nature. Has relaxing effect and qualities of stability, security and emotional balance. Associated both with envy and with love, because it is the colour of Venus.

Blue: Colour of the spirit, the sky and water. Blue related to characteristics of nobility. Classified as a cool colour; can signify melancholy or sadness. Recommended for bedrooms or places of rest.

Violet: Absorbs the passion of red and the spirituality of blue (secondary colour). Provokes both desire and aversion. Related to intimacy and sublimation and indicates profound

 

If you would like some help with choosing colour for your space, drop me a message and together we can colour your world!

Have a colourful day! Michelle x