Color has an effect on all of our senses, including sight, hearing, smell, taste, and sentiments. Whether or not we are conscious of this fact, colour is an essential component in each and every one of our lives. On a conscious as well as an unconscious level, seeing colour may successfully influence our emotions; for example, seeing red can make us feel threatened, while seeing white might make us feel at ease. Even in the most mundane of talks, we find ways to include color—for example, “the sky is black,” “she’s whiter than white,” or “I’m green with envy.”
Color is a medium through which we can exhibit our creativity; the colours we choose speak a lot not just about how we now feel but also about how we would want to feel. Because colour has such a significant effect on the body, it is also used in the healing process. This indicates that each colour has the potential to either have a good or negative impact. This impact is variable depending on the person, the amount of colour that is used, and the degree of purity or saturation of the hue.
For instance, a room in which pure hues of contrasting colours (colours that are located opposite each other on the colour wheel) are used is thought to be more stimulating; for this reason, this mix of color’s may be good to use in a nursery; however, if you want to use them in the bedroom, the colours can be softened by using hues of that shade, such as pink and light mint. This is an example of a room in which pure hues of contrasting colours are used.
It is believed that a combination of colours that belong to the same “family” (i.e., those colours that are located near to each other on the colour wheel) may induce a sense of calmness, making them an appropriate choice for the bedrooms of infants or young children.
Determine how you want to use the space before making any decisions on the colour palette. There is a warm and a cool version of every colour, and you need to determine if you want to create an atmosphere that is relaxing or one that is exciting. For instance, warm colours imply activity, while cool colours generate a quiet feeling.
The brightness and darkness of colours may also alter one’s mood. For instance, a deep yellow would give a more intimate sensation than a faint lemon colour would.
Keep in mind that colours will seem to have more saturation when placed against a white or nearly white backdrop. When put next to lighter colours, dark colours seem considerably darker than they really are.
When placed close to one another, complementary colours provide a more striking visual effect.
Consequently, what does each colour signify:
| Red | A warm colour is the colour of energy, excitement and vitality. It is also a good grounding colour. Red is a powerful healing agent for healing diseases of the blood and circulation. It will also help with depression but it can raise blood pressure or anxiety.Red, used in a large space, can be welcoming, energising and invigorating, but it can radiate aggression. Red, in a small space, can be cozy, intimate, or claustrophobic. |
| Orange | Orange is a warm colour, a social and exuberant colour and represents ripeness, warmth and happiness. If used extensively, orange can be a very forceful colour, but is also a good grounding colour. It is used to increase immunity, help in all digestive ailments and will have a gentle warming effect if used lightly.Orange promotes feelings of excitement, can make you feel vibrant, improves appetite, and enhances social interaction |
| Yellow | Yellow is a warm colour and the colour of intellect and it is used for mental stimulation, it will help you think quicker. It is also the colour of clarity and insight . It is he first colour seen by newborns and couples fight more and babies cry more in lemon-coloured roomsIt is the brightest of all colours and has the greatest illuminating power. It is warm and cheerful and stimulates activity, communication, circulation and appetite. However it is not a good colour for nervy people or people easily agitated. |
| Green | Green Is the colour of harmony and balance. It is good for tired nerves and it helps with the heart area. It will balance the emotions and bring about a feeling of calmness. Green is a good general healing colour.Green is a restful colour so will aid sleep, it also represents nature, and therefore promotes balance, harmony, peace, hope and stability. |
| Blue | Is the colour of truth, serenity and harmony, by helping to soothe the mind. Blue is good for cooling, calming, reconstructing and protecting. Blue will help feverish conditions, it will help stop bleeding and it will help with nervous irritations. Researchers found that children tested higher on IQ tests in rooms with blue ceilingsBlue, if diluted to a lighter hue, can reduce stress and relieve tension. Is a colour of peace, tranquility and wisdom and can generate a sense of well-being. Blue gives the impression of space and coolness and represents serenity and loyalty. |
| Purple | Purple is a colour that will connect you with your spiritual self. It is good for mental and nervous problems. It will assist very well with rheumatism and epilepsy. Purple is a calming colour and can comfort and relieve strain.Purple is associated with noble traits such as love, truth and justice. It is dramatic, sophisticated, sensual and imaginative. |
| Pink / Mauve / Lavender | The colour’s of equilibrium. Lavender can help with spiritual healing and is used as a tranquilliser. All can aid sleep. Lavender is the colour of replenishing and rebuilding, whilst pink and mauve are restful and calming. While red may be considered an energizing colour, pink is the most calming. For this reason the California children’s probation department found that violent children had fewer outbursts when placed in a pink room.Being a tint of red, pink also affects us physically, but it soothes, rather than stimulates. (Interestingly, red is the only colour that has an entirely separate name for its tints. |
| White | White is the colour of purity. It will purify the body on the highest levels and will bring peace and comfort. Regarded as restful and clean, but too much will appear stark.White symbolises light, triumph, innocence and joy and it gives the effect of enlarging a space and creates an atmosphere of coolness. |
| Silver / Grey | Silver is the colour of peace and persistence. It is the major purging colour so it is very good for removing unwanted diseases and troubles from the body. Grey, like white, is regarded as restful and clean, but too much will appear stark.Pure grey is the only colour that has no direct psychological properties. It is, however, quite suppressive. |
| Black | Black represents an absence of light and colour, but can be a deep and restful contrast. It is sophisticated, elegant, dramatic and formal and gives a feeling of solid strength. It can be powerful, aloof and intimidating. |