The Power of Color In Interior Design
Color. It’s a seemingly unimportant concept that affects much more than what meets the eye. Color is everywhere, subconsciously influencing our moods, our thoughts, and our decisions. In fact, more often than not, color is the key determining factor in our choices. “Oh, I would rather have that bag because it is blue” or “Wow, that green color would compliment my eyes better.” Color has much more power over us than we realize.
Thus, color is an extremely important element to consider when it comes to the design of a space. For example, lighter colors tend to make a room feel bigger, giving off the appearance of a more open space. On the other hand, darker colors may make the room feel a little more closed off and a little smaller. By pairing together different combinations of lighter and darker colors, one can make a room feel taller, wider, longer, etc.
Additionally, different spaces might utilize color differently in order to convey different functions. For example, banks may choose to opt for more neutral colors with many gray tones in order to create a professional, wealthy, and calm environment. In the same vein, designers may purposefully choose more neutral and grayscale tones for an office space in order to promote feelings of productivity and to create an attentive, focused space. On the other hand, a children’s playroom might include brighter and bolder tones, such as bright pinks or pastel greens. The wider range and variety of color may convey a sense of childishness and playfulness, making the room feel more fun and friendly.
Each color also has its own connotation, evoking a different feeling in each person.
Green, for example, is often associated with nature. It is a rather grounding color, making an individual feel more connected to the earth. It is also associated with creativity. Often, the color green can be found in art rooms or other creative spaces due to its hues. Green is also considered a calming color, meaning that it may also be found in hospital or medical spaces. As a whole, green is normally associated with positive feelings.
Red, however, is a stark contrast from the calming hues of green. Red is often associated with anger, passion, and intensity. Red may sometimes be a scarier and riskier option, and it can sometimes come off as stimulating and mind-provoking. Red also may be associated with feelings of love and may make an individual feel more comforted and connected to those around them.
The ever-calm color, blue. Blue is also often connected to our emotions, having the ability to make us feel sad or feel at peace. This color is sometimes found in nurseries, attempting to create a calming environment for toddlers. Blues also evoke a feeling of freshness, making a room feel cleaner and more spacious.
In our projects, we make sure to keep the power of color in mind. For example, below is a Westlake Hills home that we remodeled.
The clients’ wanted an energetic, yet relaxed space that reflected their personalities. Thus, neutral and lighter tones were used to create a brighter, rustic, and comfortable feel. A few pops of blues here and there add to the calming yet personal feeling of the space. The use of patterns helped to make the space feel unique yet still peaceful.
Here’s another client that wanted something modern and sophisticated. The neutral tones bring out an elevated and open space, and make the area feel much more contemporary. The grays are chic and add depth to the area, allowing pops of color to be the feature of the room.
Conclusively, colors are one of the single most important choices in design. The human eye can distinguish millions of shades of colors, each one producing a different feeling, a different energy. The possibilities are truly endless with color.
0 comment