Why Your Color Choices are Important
Do you have a favorite color? Have you ever wondered why you prefer a certain color and how it affects you? “One of the most amazing things about color is its close relationship to emotions, which makes color extremely subjective,” according to Andrea Magno, color and design expert at Benjamin moore. “There are so many emotions that color can evoke, many that come from our past experiences or what is innately attracted to an individual.” Your choice of color can define a space.
“Colors can invoke all of our emotions, from joy to sadness and love to disgust,” explains Rachel Skafidas, Senior Color Designer at Krylon. Read on to find out how your choice of color can affect your emotions. We also explore how to incorporate this information into your home.
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Red
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There’s a reason fire trucks, fire extinguishers, and stop signs are red. This color catches your attention. “The color red is related to love and passion, but it is also an alarming and excitable color,” says Skafidas. Red is a color option that stimulates the senses. “While colors can invoke multiple emotions, it is how the color that implies emotion is used ”, he says.
Magno also explains that there are always exceptions to the color rules. “For example, a red room may seem too energetic or aggressive for one person, while it can be relaxing and enveloping for another,” he says. “The key is to think about how the room should feel to the individual.”
Pink
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Saturation plays a key role in colors. “The more saturated a color, the more intense the hue, which evokes a more intense emotion,” says Ashley Banbury, senior color designer at HGTV HOME by Sherwin-Williams. “I think we can all agree that true red is one of the most exhilarating colors on the color wheel, at its brightest it can increase blood pressure and pulse rate,” she says. However, she adds that pink, which is a less intense version of red, still has some of those attributes, but is more subtle.
orange
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The color orange is typically associated with fun and creativity. “For example, the vivid Orange Slice evokes a sense of joy, ”according to Sue Kim, senior color designer at Valspar. This choice of bright colors works better in some rooms than others. “When choosing colors for your home, you need to decide beforehand what the mood and feel of the room is,” according to Skafidas. “For example, a child’s playroom or even a kitchen generally has a more upbeat and cheerful feel and can withstand more saturation,” says Skafidas. “Of course, any of these rooms can support saturated accents and decorations when combined with less saturated wall colors.”
Yellow
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Yellow is a color choice that evokes emotions like enthusiasm, happiness, positivity, and energy. “A cheerful yellow, Spring Squash highlights the attitude of abundance of life,” says Kim. However, don’t forget that not everyone responds the same to colors. “While yellow is believed to be positive and attractive, it can be frustrating for some people,” says Banbury. “So really think about which colors stand out to you and select a combination that creates your own individual harmony,” advises Banbury.
Green
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Even the color green can invoke a variety of emotions, depending on its level of saturation. “Think of places that are designed to inspire relaxation, like a spa; color selections tend to have lower saturation, ”explains Magna. And he says the opposite is true for high-energy environments where more saturated colors are preferred.
“When a lime green color pushes its saturation, the acidity of the color gives a more adventurous and active emotion, and when you lower the saturation, the hue is closer to what you would find in nature,” says Kim.
blue
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Royal blue is typically relaxing and calm, and sky blue fosters feelings of productivity, joy, and even freedom. “The intensity of the color varies from a pure and vivid color to a dull state, which is the introduction of gray into the color,” says Skafidas. While saturation generally inspires excitement, Magno cautions that it can also be overwhelming. “This is the reason why unsaturated or less saturated colors work well in a room,” he explains. “Most people will choose to have saturated accents with the walls in a more muted tone, because it helps to balance both the aesthetics and the atmosphere of the room,” says Skafidas.
Purple
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Purple is a mysterious, imaginative, and luxurious color choice. “When selecting colors for the home, it’s best to think about personal taste and what colors resonate the most, as this will provide clues that will help determine which colors are best for the home,” advises Magno. “When owners aren’t sure which ones are attractive, it can be helpful to think back to a time when you were in a particularly relaxing environment, or what colors you gravitate to when selecting an outfit; this can help narrow the choices down to a particular color family, or a color’s lightness or darkness.
Brown
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Brown is a warm, natural color option that comforts and stabilizes. And when you’re trying to pick colors, Magno has another suggestion. “Another great way to determine which colors resonate emotionally is to extract images from a magazine or save them online; once there are multiple images saved, it is not unusual for a light color preference to be revealed, indicating a color preference that will be appropriate for your home, ”she says.
Black
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The color black is associated with elegance, and there are many ways to wear the most elegant color of each year. Black can add a dramatic effect or it can also have a calming and calming effect. “While it’s important to consider the function of each individual room in your home and the emotion, think about your home as a whole,” says Banbury. “Overall, are you looking to come home to a quiet retreat or are you looking to express your creativity with bold contrasting hues?”
Neutral colors
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Neutrals can provide a relaxing background that allows other colors to stand out. Gray is a formal, calm and relaxing color. White is pure and simple, and it also invokes calm. Other neutrals include beige and taupe, and some experts recommend neutral colors when selling your home. “Colors have the ability to energize, calm, and enhance the sense of tranquility in your home,” says Kim. “Pick a color that speaks to you and represents the mood you want to capture in the space.”
One good thing about paint is that it is the easiest way to change your home. And when you choose the right paint gloss, you can create a space that makes you love your home even more.
What is your favorite color for your home? Let us know in the comments!
