Psychology
of Colors –
The Bedroom
by
Joey Lewitin
Color
can have an astounding effect on perceptions, feelings, and interactions.
Different colors evoke different memories and different ideas. In
the bedroom, where one is supposed to be most at ease, it is important
that you plan out your color scheme so that it creates the maximum
comfort for you.
Psychologists
have been studying the effects of color on people for many years.
While they have made many discoveries about color effects on people
in different societies, they have not found any effects that occur
across all societies. For instance in China the color red tends to
make people feel calm, while in America red tends to make people more
aggressive. This means that the effect of color on a persons mind
is individual and perceptual, rather then being physiological and
inherent. In order to choose the right color for a setting, you will
have to get in touch with your inner self, and see which color you
harmonize best with. In the bedroom one tries to achieve maximum relaxation.
By choosing the colors that you feel most comfortable with, you will
find the greatest contentment with your decor.
Think
about the following colors. Think about each one separately. Think
about their different shades, how you feel about them, what they invoke
in you.
Red.
Orange. Yellow. Green. Blue. Violet. Purple. White. Black
Once
you have gained insight into how you feel about those colors, you
can read about the general effects these colors have on people in
American society. Don’t be afraid to disagree, your tastes are
different from anyone else’s, but do keep in mind that the average
American that enters the room will feel these effects to some extent.
The two
extreme colors are white and black. Black is an attention grabber,
and can create a bedroom with a dark, sultry look. Unfortunately it
will also make the room look smaller and seem more restrictive. Overuse
of the color black can be dangerous in a room like the bedroom, as
it can darken a person’s mood. It may even produce night mares.
Meanwhile its polar opposite, white, can be uninspiring. Most rooms
start off with white walls, and it is the generic look for many homes.
It can have a positive and soothing effect on ones emotions, but it
may also lead to a lack of stimulation which can be a terrible thing
in a bedroom. Whatever ones perceptions however, white is a good color
for warm climates. White reflects light creating cooler temperatures
and a breezy feeling.
The earth
tones are gentle and will keep a bedroom feeling close and snuggly,
as long as you pay attention to the tones you use. These colors include
browns, oranges, and yellows. Browns tend to remind Americans of family,
and of emotional bonds to each other and the world. Orange is a color
that makes people happy, but is also the color associated with food
and could lead to midnight snacking. Yellow creates a very positive
effect on people psychologically, but only short term. Long term exposure
to this color can lead to irritation.
Blues
and greens evoke serenity and peace. They are colors associated with
nature and the ocean. Using these colors heavily in your bedroom can
help to calm the emotions of its inhabitants, and bring restful nights.
Blue will also calm cravings for food after you’ve gone to bed,
because there is very little blue food in nature, so our minds tend
to repress hunger at its site. Pink is the extreme claming color and
many will find it impossible to act aggressively when surrounded by
it. Purple is a nice color for a bedroom that will make it look more
sophisticated.
Red is
an exciting color. If you have trouble falling asleep, don’t
use red in the bedroom. However, to get a tired relationship going,
red may be just the color you want. Red makes Americans aggressive.
It speeds up their metabolism and gives them energy. Red is a good
color for sheets or blankets, because if it becomes too distracting
it can be put away until desired.
Combining
these colors yields further effects, which are numerous beyond the
scope of this article. Remember that shade and tone is important,
and will alter these effects. Most importantly, you should have the
final say; it is the colors effect on your own mind that is important,
and only you can truly understand your own impressions.
Joey
Lewitin is an author, artist, and designer of home décor accessories
made from imported stone. Original designs from him and other artisans
can be seen at http://pebblez.com
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