While most people choose paint colors based on their personal preferences, did you know that there’s a lot more to colors than may appear on the surface? Color psychology reveals that the colors we choose in our homes directly impact our emotions, feelings, and actions. Next time you decide to paint a room in your home, you may want to give the color a second thought.

What is Color Psychology?

, “The psychology of color is based on the mental and emotional effects colors have on sighted people in all facets of life.” As with any other form of psychology, there are both subjective pieces and “proven” elements. Furthermore, the interpretation of color psychology actually changes from culture to culture. Keeping all of this in mind will help you understand the nature of this study.
Color psychology plays a role in web design, art, landscaping, and everything in between. In this article, we’ll take a look at one of the most important and heavily studied aspects of color psychology: interior design and painting.
“Color is a universal, nonverbal language, and we all intuitively know how to speak it,” says Leslie Harrington, a color consultant and noted expert on the use of color in interior design. “What color you paint your walls isn’t just a matter of aesthetics. It’s a tool that can be leveraged to affect emotions and behavior.”
With this in mind, it’s important that homeowners and designers become more cognizant of color – realizing that it’s not just a preferential decision. Color can actually fundamentally change the way people feel, think, and interact.

What These 6 Colors Really Mean

Before highlighting some specific suggestions and tips for various rooms of the home, let’s take a brief look at some of the more common colors and the feelings they produce in people.

• Red. Considered a color of passion and romance, red heightens the senses and creates drama. In some situations, red can even ignite anger and increase appetite.
• Blue. Known for it’s clam and tranquil attributes, blue is relaxing. And as Jeannie Matteucci of HGTV says, “Blue evokes feelings of calm and freshness, and represents strength and dependability.”
• Green. Also know for its relaxing qualities, green represents growth, sustainability, and expectations. It’s more versatile than blue and typically makes more of a statement.
• Yellow. Whether you realize it or not, yellow actually creates optimism and promotes happiness. Some also suggest that yellow sparks creativity and activates memory.
• Orange. Orange is similar, yet different than red. It’s similar in that it heightens the senses, but is different in that it’s much more welcoming. In some cases, orange even evokes pride and ambition.
• Purple. Purple has long been associated with royalty and creativity, perhaps because it’s unique and calm. Depending on the shade, purple can either be quite dramatic or rather subtle and quiet.

As you can see, there are stark differences between different types of color. Not only is this incredibly interesting, but it also goes to show just how important it is to choose the right color for your project.

Suggestions for Painting Different Rooms

Now that you know a bit more about the emotions and feelings that are attached to different colors, let’s take a look at some tips and best practices for painting various rooms of the home.

1. Kitchen

Have you ever noticed that a lot of restaurants use the color red in their dining rooms and kitchens? The reason is that red is believed to increase appetite. If you don’t want this effect in your own kitchen, then you should probably avoid red. Instead, try yellow. It’s warm enough to produce comfortable feelings, but not quite strong enough to stimulate appetite. Blue is also a good choice, as it’s relaxing and comforting.

2. Bedroom

Most people agree that the bedroom should be relaxing, but at the same time, you don’t necessarily want it to be boring. This leads to a lot of flexibility. Blue is frequently used in bedrooms because it’s relaxing and subtle, but don’t be afraid to go with purple or green if you want a little splash of something unique. If you have romance on your mind, red can certainly do the trick – but be wary of painting your entire bedroom red, as it can also produce feelings of stress and anxiety.

3. Living Room

The living room is largely a matter of taste and intention. What do you use your living room for primarily? Do you spend a lot of time in it – or is it reserved for entertaining? Do you like watching movies, or is it a space for reading? The living room is very flexible and should be painted to match your lifestyle. Generally speaking, warm tones like soft yellow, or earth tones like beige, work well. They’re appealing, but not overpowering.

4. Bathroom

White is the traditional bathroom paint color, since it’s viewed as clean and sophisticated. However, many homeowners are bucking the trend and going with shades of blue and green – or even a combination of the two. The result is a sophisticated, yet relaxing vibe that’s conducive for a nice hot shower or soak in the tub.

5. Home Office

Finally, we get to the home office. Since you probably want to maximize productivity and efficiency when working, focus on gray. Gray is known for increasing creativity and creates a classic professional look that isn’t overpowering or out of place.

Contact Tulsa Christian Bros Painting Today

At Tulsa Christian Bros, we take pride in offering professional and honest residential and commercial painting services in northeast Oklahoma. Whether you need interior painting, exterior painting, wood rot repair, drywall repair, power washing, or anything in between, we are proud to offer honest and affordable solutions that you’ll be satisfied with.
For additional information regarding our services – and a free quote – please feel free to reach out and contact us today. We look forward to working with you and showing you why we’re seen as one of the most trusted names in the industry.