The Psychology of Color in Interior Design
Color can transform the way a space functions, and our team of interior designers employs color psychology in their designs to help create spaces that provoke specific responses from their users.
Finding the ideal colors can be daunting with so many choices available to us today, so let us provide some expert tips to help you select your ideal hues!
1. Complementary Colors
Complementary colors, found directly across from one another on a color wheel, create vibrant contrast and elevate any design. Understanding how to use complementary colors effectively is an integral component of visual arts and design; understanding its uses enables you to confidently compose visually appealing compositions.
When selecting paint colors for any space, it’s essential to consider its function. Bold red and green combinations can stimulate appetite while encouraging social interaction; soothing blue-orange combinations work better in living rooms or studies which promote relaxation.
Start with large decor pieces like rugs, art, or fabric-and work from there. It can also be helpful to bring home several paint samples and test them in different parts of your space at different times of the day; this allows you to see how different hues will look under natural and artificial lighting sources.
2. Analogous Colors
Analogous color schemes feature hues that lie adjacent on the color wheel, creating an subtle yet harmonic design. This style of palette is often employed because of its ability to achieve a subdued and harmonious aesthetic.
As an example, you might come across a wellness spa featuring green, blue-green and yellow colors to promote its relaxing environment. Or you could come across the website of a tech company featuring multiple shades of blue to create an eye-catching modern design.
To prevent monotonous colors from dominating a room when designing with them, it’s essential that neutral tones be introduced in equal measures to balance out their intensity. A 60:30:10 ratio often works well – apply 60% color on walls and large furniture pieces while leaving 30% closely related hues (rugs/window treatments etc) unrelated but pop with other hues as accent pieces to keep things interesting.
3. Contrasting Colors
Color can be an emotive language that conveys feelings and influences moods; thus it’s vital for interior designers to comprehend how colors interact in various spaces.
Though it can be tempting to jump straight onto Sherwin-Williams’ best-selling list of paint colors, take time and carefully consider your options before making a choice that will stand the test of time. Choose a shade that complements the space it will adorn!
Many designers suggest choosing a neutral or earthy shade as the foundation of your room design. Finding one that reflects your personal aesthetic and works well with multiple types of decor is simple – for instance, Origami White provides a soothing yet warm ambience which changes with light conditions throughout the day.
4. Contrasts Between Light and Dark
Paint colors have an immediate and powerful influence on how rooms are perceived and function, creating environments that can either relax or stimulate, while reflecting your unique tastes and needs. By employing color theory techniques in your designs, it’s possible to craft spaces tailored specifically for yourself that meet those criteria.
Light and dark hues work together to create contrast in any given space, as well as draw attention to details like moldings or architectural features. Blue shades are known to be relaxing for home offices or study areas while yellows and oranges can bring energy into kitchens or family rooms.
An effective way to test any shade is to place a small swatch of it on your wall for 24 hours and observe its appearance under both natural and artificial lighting throughout the day, both natural and artificial lighting, to get an idea of its undertones as well as how it will appear against flooring, furnishings and other surfaces. This will give you an accurate representation of its potential against existing floors, furnishings or surfaces that need updating.
5. Contrasts Between Warm and Cool
Many people mistakenly perceive colors to be either warm or cool; the truth, however, is more nuanced. Reds, oranges and yellows tend to fall under the “warm” category while greens, grays and blues fall into “cool” territory.
But even white paint colors come with an array of visual temperatures. White Dove by Behr and Overcoat by Benjamin Moore feature subtle warmth while Crisp Linen from Sherwin-Williams and Instinct by Farrow & Ball have more of a pronounced cooling cast.
When choosing a neutral hue, take into account the colors of your furnishings, fabrics and artwork. A hue close to these items will blend harmoniously, while one further off can add dramatic flair. Remember also that each room will appear differently under various lighting conditions at various times during the day and night.