How Colors in Interior Design Affect our Emotions
Warm Tones
Warm colors include reds, oranges, yellows, and earthy tones like brown, beige and some off-whites. These will bring up feelings of coziness, comfort, and excitement, or negative feelings such as agitation, fear, and distaste. Your emotional connection to color will depend on your past experiences as well as what decorative elements surround you.
Cool Tones
Cool colors include blues, greens, purples, grays, and most whites. These tend to have a calming and soothing effect on our emotions. Unlike warm colors, cool tones typically don’t generate intense reactions. Most individuals have similar feelings when looking at cooler tones. However, for those who prefer warm colors, too much blue, gray, or white tend to cause feelings of sadness or a lack of motivation. In contrast, individuals who lean towards cool tones will feel refreshed, calm, or even invigorated when surrounded by cool colors.
(For more details, refer to the “Basic Overview” post from April 30th, 2024)
Color Breakdown
Each individual will have different associations with colors depending on their cultural and personal experiences. The list below provides a general overview of common associations.
Red: Red is a powerful color often associated with strong emotions. It can evoke feelings of excitement, passion, speed, warmth, strength, and courage. In some contexts, red can increase heart rates and adrenaline levels which is why it’s not typically seen in hospitals. Red can also evoke feelings of aggression, danger, distaste, or over-stimulation. Red will increase whatever emotion you’re feeling. If you’re hungry, angry, or excited, red will increase these feelings.
Pink: Pink is a playful color. Brighter hues are attention-grabbing, high-energy, sensual, and flirtatious. Softer hues like mauve or light pink are gentle, composed, nostalgic, sweet, innocent, and delicate. Pink can be offensive in a too sweet kind of way, or come off as gaudy. Those who use lighter hues of pink in their decorating are typically sweet-natured and looking for a calm or whimsical feel.
Orange: Orange is a vibrant and enthusiastic color. Those drawn to orange are usually high-energy, creative individuals who aren’t afraid to speak their mind. Orange is energizing, warm, happy, creative, and social. It can evoke feelings of being whimsical, spontaneous, optimistic, and self-assured. Orange can also evoke feelings of aggression, distaste, or over-stimulation, similar to red.
Yellow: Yellow is an energetic color. Those attracted to yellow are typically very energetic themselves. They’re not afraid of going bold in their design choices. Yellow can be uplifting, playful, joyful, friendly, and positive. Conversely, it can cause overstimulation to the senses, irritability, or evoke feelings of caution. When used in small color pops like pillows (as opposed to painting walls yellow), it typically evokes feelings of happiness and thoughts of sunshine.
Green: Green reminds us of nature. We think of grass, leaves, trees, and certain foods. Green is associated with feelings of calm, quiet, restfulness, reliability, and healing. It is a great addition to any color pallet when the right shade is incorporated. When used in design, it can tone a space down or liven it up. Most people are opposed to the yellow-green undertones, as these are seen as dirty or repulsive.
Blue: Most people say blue is their favorite color. Blue is timeless and versatile. It can work with most design pallets to add balance, coolness, richness, or sophistication, depending on the shade. It is associated with the sky and water, giving it a positive calming effect. Blue is seen as dependable, restful, tranquil, credible, quiet, clean, expansive, classic, and brisk. For those who prefer warmer tones, blue can feel cold, distant, and melancholy.
Violet & Purple: Purple is the color of royalty. Deeper shades are sophisticated, visionary, rich, and introspective. Purple is considered whimsical and often associated with spirituality, intuition, artistic expression, and mystery. It’s not often used in design outside of children’s bedrooms, but when it is it makes a statement. Those drawn to purple are often creative, expressive individuals who aren’t afraid to go bold or mix colors.
Brown: Brown is typically seen in natural materials like leather and wood. It’s considered a neutral color that helps a space feel steady and grounded. It’s warm, traditional, and supportive. Brown is typically not a color that’s readily talked about because it’s seen as more of a background color, but it can play an important role in balancing a space. For example, when too much white is used in a kitchen, a brown stained floor or floating shelves will warm up and visually ground the space.
Taupe/Greige (grey-beige): Taupe and greige tones are neutral, practical, timeless, and warm. They tend to fade into the background so other colors can dominate. Taupe and greige can be the dominating colors when white is the neutral design choice. This is a gorgeous timeless look, especially when paired with natural woods (currently a popular trend). Taupe and greige tones can be perceived as boring for those who like brighter colors.
Whites: In my experience, whites are the most complex colors/shades to work with. Their undertones are very subtle and when used incorrectly, they throw off the entire design. There are over 150 whites in Benjamin Moore’s off-white collection alone, and that barely scratches the surface of the available whites across paint companies. White on white on white is thee trend right now. If you don’t have an eye to see the subtleties, it can be very difficult to coordinate all of the different finishes and textures that go into a room.
Warm Whites: Warm whites are those with a yellow or pink undertone. This undertone is usually subtle and cannot be recognized when paired with other warm colors. When used correctly, warm whites are very comforting and cozy. They are associated with cleanliness, purity, simplicity, lightness, and airiness. These whites tend to look “dirty” when paired with cooler tones like gray, cool greens, and cooler off-whites.
Cool Whites: Cool whites are those with a gray, green, or blue undertone. These will compliment the cooler colors and make warm colors look “off”. Cool whites are perceived as pure, clean, airy, or sterile.
Black: Black is a complex shade. Depending on the amount used, the context, and what surrounds it, black can take on many different feelings. It is grounding, which means it will anchor a space so the room feels stabilized. Black can be associated with sophistication, power, elegance, mystery, boldness, and prestige. It can also be overpowering, aggressive, or evoke feelings of depression. Almost every design has some element of black, even if it’s just on the legs of a chair or base of a light fixture. It’s very unusual to be in a space that is completely void of black. If there’s no black at all, natural wood tones are usually present.
Gray: Gray has become the “go-to” neutral for all things in interior design. Gray is practical, conservative, quiet, reserved, and unobtrusive. Most of the time, it fades into the background allowing other colors to pop. It is used in business or corporate settings because it is seen as steadfast, stern, logical, and neutral. When paired with natural wood tones and/or plant life, gray becomes welcoming and calming. However, if too much gray is used in your design, you may feel agitated, depressed, cold, or have a lack of motivation. It’s important to use gray properly so you don’t experience negative associations. For a full breakdown of gray, please see the “What Does Gray Say?” post.
As you can see, colors will bring out every human emotion available to us. In this post, I broke down individual colors, but there are unlimited possibilities when you start combining colors. This is why it’s beneficial to have a color expert guide you through designing your space. Color is very emotional and everyone who lives with you or visits your home will have their own thoughts and feelings about the design choices you make. It’s important to choose elements that are best for you and your family.
Reach Out: If you’d like to discuss your personal design or ask questions about this blog, please reach out to me. Amie Hazel | 508-507-8282 | amie@ahazelinteriors.com
Please Note: These are strictly my options based on knowledge accumulated throughout my years in the design industry. I am not being paid for any of these blog posts or any of the products I suggest.
