Furniture and accessories selected based on function paired with an overall aesthetic is important to create an environment that caters to a specific lifestyle. But have you considered, thoughtfully and strategically, how color affects the overall feel and mood of a space? And if the color palette you are gravitating toward leaves a specific space disjointed or unharmonious?

How We Process Color

Have you ever walked into a room and felt a welcoming homey sense? Or perhaps you were taken in with a feeling of calm, the perfect stress reliever from a busy day?

How we digest our surroundings is often attributed to color psychology and a better understanding of how colors trigger certain emotional reactions, which brings some insight into the human psyche. This can be useful when considering things like branding and product packaging, as well as in therapy, both for mental health and physical health. 

Naturally, interior design benefits quite a bit from considering color psychology and is crucial in properly defining spaces and shaping space perceptions, not to mention in establishing mood. Color also can help with the transition from room to room so that an emotional mood is modified as appropriate when thinking about each room’s larger function. 

Warm for Coziness and Comfort

Red, orange, yellow, beige, brown, even gold – these are just a few colors that fall under the warm category. Many individuals seeking to establish a sense of comfort tied to warmer surroundings are attracted to these shades, even as accents to turn up the cozy nature of a room. 

Warm colors are an excellent route to pursue when working with a large room that could use a better sense of intimacy, which is where darker, richer tones can be very valuable (a great example being terra cotta). Warm colors are also great for use in rooms like kitchens or living rooms, spots where there will be significant congregating, to encourage interaction among others and incite excitement.

Cool for Calm and Peace

Shades of blue, green, purple, even neutrals with undertones that lean cool, can inspire a sense of comfort that draws from calm and quiet comfort. Variations of these shades work wonders for a person constantly on the go as they can help relieve anxiety, inspire creativity, reduce stress and even improve sleep.

In rooms such as bedrooms and bathrooms, cool colors are an excellent avenue to pursue as these are often spots for relaxation. Cool colors are also excellent when trying to make a small space be perceived as larger and more open, allowing you to maximize square footage, especially in a smaller home. Even simple cool color accents can add a dash of calm.

Warm and Cool in Harmony

Just because warm colors and cool colors are generally attached to a specific set of emotional responses doesn’t mean they must exist separate from one another. 

A rule of thumb when working to incorporate both warm colors and cool colors into a space is to follow the 80/20 rule as the utilization of both can be a little tricky. In the space you are tackling, use 80% warm colors and 20% cool colors (or vice versa) which will allow you to enjoy the emotional benefits of both that can add a little spice to what could potentially be a more generic room. Adding throw pillows, rugs, and other accents are excellent way to achieve dual tones harmony. Also, consider taking a breather from monochromatic shades to embrace patterns that incorporate both warm colors and cool colors.