“Even castles in the sky can do with a fresh coat of paint.”- Haruki Murakami
One of the most exciting parts of building your dream home is being able to be involved in the decision making process from the beginning. Choosing the right paint color is a big decision and one that can influence the feel of an entire room. There is actually a psychology behind certain colors that can effect everything from your mood, to your appetite. The hues chosen for a room’s walls and ceiling can help determine whether your interior design is a hit or miss. Here are a few color psychology tips to keep in mind when planning your home’s color scheme.
Bright colors—that is, vibrant shades of green and blue, yellow, and orange provide an expansive feeling. These are friendly, happy colors that encourage communication and are therefore especially welcome in the dining area and kitchen.
Dark colors, such as red, purple, blue, and dark shades of green, can have a constricting and gloomy effect. But when applied in the right place or as accent elements, they can help convey comfort and security. Red raises the energy level of a room, but it may also make people more irritable and hostile—so it’s not a good choice for a child’s room. Use it as an accent rather than a base room color. Gray should be avoided for the dining area and kitchen—unless you want to dampen your appetite.
Orange and yellow hues raise the perceived temperature of a room and encourage creativity. For that reason, they’re best used in play rooms and offices because they inspire activity — avoid them in rooms meant for relaxation, like the bedroom.
Colors such as icy blues and greens have a calming effect. They are especially well-suited for bedrooms; they help you to go to bed relaxed in the evening and wake up refreshed the next morning. While icy blues are relaxing, navy blue has a different effect. This color inhibits people’s willingness to communicate; do not use it in living and dining areas where conversation and communication are encouraged.
It may seem overwhelming to narrow down all the color choices but thankfully The Spruce has consulted decorating experts and compiled a list of tried and true color schemes so you can’t go wrong! From Gentlemen’s Gray to Red Delicious Red; there is a shade to fit the feeling you want in every room of your new home!
Still undecided about what color to choose or unsure of how the final product will look? Sherwin Williams has you covered! You can upload a photo of your space to their Personal Color Viewer and choose from any of their paint colors to get a feel of what your rooms will look like! Building a new home has never been more fun!