Colour Theory
What do you think makes certain people gravitate toward certain colours? It's incredibly interesting to me. I've had a bunch of people talk to me lately about the oranges and yellows they've added into their homes. I always think it looks great - but I've never been tempted to use any of those colours myself. And it's not a fear-of-colour thing. I just always seem to choose cool colours.I choose to believe it's because I'm cool :)
All I know is that I really hated the red in the bedroom. I don't know what it was - it just stressed me out to see it. And while I watched (ahem... SUPERVISED) Rocky painting over it with the light blue paint, I could literally feel myself becoming calm and happy.
In any case, here is what I discovered about the red that I found so offensive:
RED. Physical
Positive: Physical courage, strength, warmth, energy, basic survival, 'fight or flight', stimulation, masculinity, excitement.
Negative: Defiance, aggression, visual impact, strain.
Being the longest wavelength, red is a powerful colour. Although not technically the most visible, it has the property of appearing to be nearer than it is and therefore it grabs our attention first. Hence its effectiveness in traffic lights the world over. Its effect is physical; it stimulates us and raises the pulse rate, giving the impression that time is passing faster than it is. It relates to the masculine principle and can activate the "fight or flight" instinct. Red is strong, and very basic. Pure red is the simplest colour, with no subtlety. It is stimulating and lively, very friendly. At the same time, it can be perceived as demanding and aggressive.
And the inoffensive new colours:
BLUE. Intellectual.
Positive: Intelligence, communication, trust, efficiency, serenity, duty, logic, coolness, reflection, calm.
Negative: Coldness, aloofness, lack of emotion, unfriendliness.
Blue is the colour of the mind and is essentially soothing; it affects us mentally, rather than the physical reaction we have to red. Strong blues will stimulate clear thought and lighter, soft blues will calm the mind and aid concentration. Consequently it is serene and mentally calming. It is the colour of clear communication. Blue objects do not appear to be as close to us as red ones. Time and again in research, blue is the world's favourite colour. However, it can be perceived as cold, unemotional and unfriendly.
GREEN. Balance
Positive: Harmony, balance, refreshment, universal love, rest, restoration, reassurance, environmental awareness, equilibrium, peace.
Negative: Boredom, stagnation, blandness, enervation.
Green strikes the eye in such a way as to require no adjustment whatever and is, therefore, restful. Being in the centre of the spectrum, it is the colour of balance - a more important concept than many people realise. When the world about us contains plenty of green, this indicates the presence of water, and little danger of famine, so we are reassured by green, on a primitive level. Negatively, it can indicate stagnation and, incorrectly used, will be perceived as being too bland.
GREY.
Positive: Psychological neutrality.
Negative: Lack of confidence, dampness, depression, hibernation, lack of energy.
Pure grey is the only colour that has no direct psychological properties. It is, however, quite suppressive. A virtual absence of colour is depressing and when the world turns grey we are instinctively conditioned to draw in and prepare for hibernation. Unless the precise tone is right, grey has a dampening effect on other colours used with it. Heavy use of grey usually indicates a lack of confidence and fear of exposure.
More info on Colour Psychology at http://www.colour-affects.co.uk.
Labels: House Stuff, Stuff I Found Online
posted by Lindsay @ 2:31 PM
5 Comments:
Did I mention my bathroom is now grey and I painted our living area an olive green?
Still like red tones in the kitchen though, but you're right, not for the bedroom.
I also heard the color red stimulates appetite.
"...so 'little danger of famine' is very perceptive in a kitchen:) In your grey room, throw a few colourful pillows if you feel stagnant:)
Very nice color analysis. All very true. It is interesting how they affect us. Maybe that's why I love color so much. It says a lot about a person.
Interesting colour analysis...as an "artsy" type person (I know it runs in our genes!) I am VERY affected by colour. We had this very bright blue room in our house and it just put me in an awful mood. I can tell by looking at the colour swatches whether or not I will be comfortable with it in my house.
In terms of red...my mother-in-law always told me to wear red to an interview because it shows power and ambition. I can see why you wouldn't like that in the bedroom...he he he. I have been tempted to paint a little red in our bedroom but I fear it will change my comfy atmosphere...I'm not sure about the "power" and "ambition" in the bedroom.
Agreed.
I used to have a red bedroom... I think maybe it was one of those things that was okay for a season. I think I'm mellowing in my old age :)
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