Psychology
of Colors –
The Living Room
by
Joey Lewitin
The living
room is the setting which will blend the people in your life into
the occasions of your home. It is the hardest room to decorate because
it has to be versatile, comfortable, and entertaining. Guests, relatives,
friends; this room will be the showcase of your home for all of them.
This makes the decoration of the living room especially important.
The colors and designs you choose will have subtle effects on the
psychology of the occupants in the setting, resulting in slight changes
to the interactions held there. In a social center such as this, you
do not want that influence to be a negative one. A way to help control
this is to understand the psychological effects of color on the people
in a room.
Color
is what surrounds us, it makes up our environment. Everywhere we look
there is color, and this affects our minds. Certain colors have positive
effects. Yellow is a happy color, while grey is considered dismal.
These effects change as the shading changes, and of course other factors
can alter them as well. Too much yellow is actually an eye irritant.
Color and its effects have been studied by psychologists for many
years and they have found many generalities that affect most Americans
in a similar manner. However, it is important to note that these ideas
are not universal, and you should always follow your own taste when
designing a room.
Before
you begin you should decide what you want to evoke. Are you looking
to make this a quiet peaceful room or a place for wild parties? Would
you like the room to feel elated or are you looking for a place of
serenity. Once you know what you want, you can simply paint by the
numbers, being careful to always pick the shade that evokes the desired
effect most in you.
The most
popular color in America is blue. This color produces a sense of calm,
and is often associated with the ocean. The color blue can make a
room look larger, and it stimulates elated emotional responses. Lighter
blue is more popular and will make a room seem more open then darker
navies.
The next
most popular color in America is Green. This is the color of nature,
and is almost always associated with growth. Using green is slightly
more invigorating then blue, but still produces a sense of mental
calm. Green is the easiest color on the eye, and is actually good
for eyesight. Avoid sickly greens and use nature as your guide to
mix and match colors into a green themed room.
Earth
tones give a room a close grounded feeling, and can promote a sense
of intimacy. They are rustic natural colors that seam simple and warm.
Soft tans and browns are the colors of family, and will give your
living room that feeling of home. Besides, they don’t show dirt.
Greens can be matched in with browns, to create a feeling of nature
and the outdoors in.
Colors
to avoid in large doses are reds and yellows. Too much yellow can
cause eye irritation and uncomfortable feelings. Red, while highly
invigorating, is also a very aggressive color. Use of too much red
could easily lead to fighting. To avoid conflict, use reds and yellows
only as accessories, and only when they match the room’s main
color.
It is
almost impossible to get angry in a pink room. In light tones and
small doses this color gentles people’s personalities. However
if you paint the whole room a wild pink you may find yourself irritated
by the brightness. Instead use pink in an understated manner. Throw
in pink accessories, or a few pink decorations. If you want to theme
a room pink, then choose a light color that will match earth tones.
However you should be cautious; the more pink that gets used the more
people tend to get lazy and unmotivated.
Make
a decision about what kind of setting you want to invoke, and then
decide on the colors that will help get you there. Make sure the colors
you use will match one another. Maintain balance between different
extremes, and refer to yourself often. Only you know if the harmony
of the room is helping to bring balance into your home. You are your
own best resource.
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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