Studies have shown that the colour you roll onto the walls of a room can be highly influential on the mental, emotional and behavioural state of the people who inhabit them. So, how does the relationship between mood and colour work?
Our eyes absorb light which is converted into another form of energy which allows us to see colour. This “light energy” stimulates the pituitary and pineal glands, which regulate hormones and other physiological systems in the body. For instance, the colour red will increase your heart rate and stimulate chemicals associated with aggression and high energy. Compare that to the colour yellow, which stimulates serotonin, the feel-good chemical in our brains.
Start with the mood you want then pick the colour
By using the psychology of colour you can influence people into thinking, feeling and behaving in a way that will match what a room is meant for. So, with this in mind, the first step to deciding on a paint colour is to determine what the room is for and the affect that you want it to have on the people who will be occupying it. This will then dictate what paint colour to choose.
To help you get a better understanding of this process, here are a few examples:
1. Dining Room
Mood Goal: To promote conversation and appetite.
Colour Suggestion: Red ignites adrenaline which means it’s great for stimulating animated conversation and people’s metabolisms and, as a result, appetites. Another option is yellow, which will give your dining room a warm, cheery atmosphere and also increase the feeling of being hungry.
2. Home Gym
Mood Goal: Increase energy for working out.
Colour Suggestion: Orange is a combination of red and yellow which means it is a very energetic and upbeat colour. It’s a helpful hue for a workout room as its properties have been known to make people feel more energized and motivated during their workouts.
3. Home Yoga Studio
Mood Goal: Create a sense of unity between body, soul and mind and an air of compassion.
Colour Suggestion: Shades of purple or violet will help yoga participants with restoring their spiritual side, heightening insight into activities, overcoming feelings of anxiety and will promote an overall feeling of healing.
4. Home Office
Mood Goal: Encourage focus and creativity.
Colour Suggestion: Warmer hues like peach and soft corals have been found to enhance focus, concentration and creativity. If your job is stressful considering adding a touch of green or blue to encourage a sense of calm or if you find your energy level tends to dwindle at times, a dash of bright yellow or vibrant pink are both a wonderful way to give yourself a little boost.
5. Bedroom
Mood Goal: Unwind and relax.
Colour Suggestion: To create a sense of peace and serenity lighter shades of blue make the perfect paint colour choice. With its calming tones reminiscent of tranquil water and the sky, the colour blue has been known to lower blood pressure and respiration and heart rates. Another wonderful option for the bedroom is green. It too is favoured for its ability to create an atmosphere of relaxation and tranquility.
6. Home Theatre Room
Mood Goal: Movie theatre atmosphere.
Colour Suggestion: To recreate that movie theatre feeling, a colour such as burgundy works well. The paint should be a flat or matte finish to prevent glare on the walls or ceiling from the TV. And one last thing about the paint: make sure it’s a “neutral” shade of burgundy (your paint store can confirm this) in order to prevent the paint colour from the walls or ceiling reflecting into the screen and distorting the look of your favourite movies.
