Colors, like features, follow the changes of the emotions. – Pablo Picasso
How are Colors and Emotions Connected?
Many people claim to have strong or emotional reactions to color. They have been shown to influence mood, actions and even test taking scores. It can be a powerful tool of communication and has become a hot topic because it influences so many aspects of our lives. For example, some people feel anxious in a yellow room, politicians wear blue ties to create an image of trust and loyalty, and some believe certain colors can even affect your appetite. So it would make sense that after designing your custom home that you would want to spend time to pick just the right colors for your home.
Since we are all unique individuals, color preference is usually subjective but due to cultural influences certain colors can mean certain things. For example in Western cultures, white is usually seen as pristine whereas in Eastern Cultures white is usually seen as a color of mourning.
In ancient cultures like Egypt and China color was used to heal in the form of light and was called Chromotherapy. Today we would call it light therapy. In the past certain colors were thought to treat certain ailments:
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Red was used to stimulate the body and mind and to increase circulation.
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Yellow was thought to stimulate the nerves and purify the body.
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Orange was used to heal the lungs and to increase energy levels.
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Blue was believed to soothe illnesses and treat pain.
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Indigo shades were thought to alleviate skin problems.
How to Use Color in Your Custom Home to Convey a Certain Feel, Ambiance or Style?
Start with brainstorming ideas for the style that you would like to incorporate into your home with online tools like Pinterest or Houzz.com. Next, think about the feel and style that you want to communicate when a person is in a room. Notice the patterns that you see from the rooms that you chose when you were doing your research.
Ideas for Using Different Colors in Your Custom Home.
- Black is seen as the color of authority and power. It is a seen as sleek and stylish. Don’t be afraid of using black on the walls. Just make sure there is a lot of natural light in the room and balance it with lighter decor and furniture.
- White symbolizes innocence and purity. It reflects light and airy. Use white to create an airy and clean look. Since white goes with anything you can use pops of your favorite colors bring depth and interest to your decor.
- Blue, the color of the sky and the ocean, is one of the most popular colors to decorate with. It historically is considered to be a peaceful and tranquil color and is said to help the body to produce calming chemicals which makes it a great paint color choice for bedrooms.
- Green symbolizes nature, is the easiest color on the eye and is said to improve vision. It is also a calming and neutral color. Green can also coordinate with several of your other favorite colors. Use greens in room that you want to promote a relaxed and refreshing feeling.
- Purple is the color of royalty, luxury, and sophistication. It is a rare color in nature found in a few flowers, foods and sometimes in a sunset. Since purple can be a strong color use it on accent walls, accessories, and for pops of color around your room.
Since different people react to different colors and shades of colors uniquely don’t be afraid to take swatches and sample of paint home and see how you react to each color. Use sites like Pinterest and Houzz to visualize how your room will look with different colors.
Looking for help to design your custom home? Hamilton Homes provides a complimentary Interior Designer when you choose to build a custom home with us.