Color "Moods"

Without a doubt there is a psychology of color. Color impacts our mood, our appetite, our energy level. For this entry, I thought I would share information on "color mood". We'll look at hues that tend to "warm a space" and later look at colors that provide a cooler appearance.

"Warm Hues"

Colors in the red, orange and yellow families are referred to as "warm" colors since they evoke images associated with heat, like fire or sunshine. As a result they make us feel warm in a psychological sense.

Red: This powerful color increases blood pressure and heart rate. It often produces feelings of intimacy, energy, and passion. It also stimulates the appetite and is often used in restaurants and is an excellent choice for dining rooms in the home.

Orange: Like red, orange warms a room but in a less dramatic and passionate way. The mood and attitude of orange is more friendly than fiery; more welcoming than seductive. Orange works well in living rooms and family rooms and is also a good choice for children's bedrooms.

Yellow: Yellow grabs attention and catches the eye like no other color, hence the use of yellow highlighters in offices. In poorly lit foyers and hallways, yellow shows the way. In their bedrooms, elderly people report that yellow lifts their mood. But bright yellow can be too strong and may actually cause anxiety in infants, young children and the elderly.

Let me know if you have "changed" the mood in your space by painting with any of the featured hues!