Colors have always been fascinating to me. When I was a kid I’d ignore my toys and play with my markers, not even necessarily drawing with them but by creating little color families! I think I instinctively knew, even then, that color is influential on our emotions. However, black will forever and always have a special little place in my grinch heart. But! If we’re getting real here it’s a pigment… a pigment whose abilities are totally downplayed. We’re often told it’s a depressive color but I think it can definitely be a bold power color. Imagine black shiny lacquered walls with white crown molding. Is that depressing? Hell no! It’s bold and luxurious! It’s all in how you perceive it.
This photo is taken from sarahsarna.com, it’s such a great example of a subdued glamorous interior with black walls.
A quick way to put a little pep in your step is to close your eyes and visualize a certain color. It’s true! It’s used in design frequently to give a room a certain feel. It’s also used by certain therapists to delve deeper into the psyche or to heal through Chromotherapy. On the same token, some say visualizing a certain color can help with energy blockages in your chakras.
You know who already really knows all the ins and outs of psychology of color? Businesses, corporations, marketers and advertisers of all kinds. Color helps with branding and to create personality or rapport with the potential buyer or voter. Color is wild in that it can be used in therapeutic ways but is also now largely used to appeal to emotions for purposes of consumerism. Isn’t that a delight? Not really…
But what IS a delight is the ability to create your space with colors that make it shine however you want it to. Livening up your space in your house is easy, all you have to do is infuse certain colors into the furniture, walls or decorations.
Let’s talk some colors, shall we?
RED is known to raise your blood pressure. It speeds the heart rate and is super stimulating. Often used in warnings, it beckons your attention. Red is good in touches but may not be the best for full wall colors. Sometimes it’s used in dimly lit clubs or bars to create a sexy environment. If you want some splashes in the bedroom, add some throw pillows or red paintings or pictures. Add candles and it’s insta-romace.
YELLOW is generally a happy color. The color of the sunshine, it uplifts your spirits. It’s a great color to visualize when you’re feeling in the dumps. Again one of those colors that’s usually best in small doses. Maybe not the best color to use on every wall in the house… It’s really nice in kitchens, bathrooms, and rooms with many windows. Large doses of yellow are known to cause irritability, so recognize what yellow makes you feel first.
BLUE brings down the blood pressure! Especially light blue, who seems to be the opposite of abrasive red. Blue is calming and relaxing, often used in soothing spaces like hospitals and therapy rooms… but not as often as green.
GREEN brings down your blood pressure and heart rate as well. It’s a relaxing color (as long as it’s not neon!) and can be used pretty much anywhere as a main color. Certain greens make you feel like you’re sitting outdoors, which is the best way to calm yourself down. Think: Nature, forest, grass.
I l-o-v-e green, blue and yellow together. It reminds me of the ocean and sunshine. Anytime you decorate your interior to mirror the natural world it’s guaranteed to be a relaxing environment. In an ocean room adding sea shells, sand, aquatic creature’s skeletons (you collected on the beach I’m hoping) or branches from trees near the ocean are all wonderful ways to bring the outdoors in.
Next time we’ll talk about purple, orange and neutrals and get more into what Chromotherapy* is all about. Let me know if you have any questions and I’ll be happy to research it
*I’m not certified in Chromotherapy, just interested & learning right along with you!
ZEN DEN 