Tuesday, April 21, 2009
How Color Affects Our Minds
My Decorating Plan
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We all have favorite colors. We may like the way certain colors look together or, as in clothing, we may like the way a particular color looks against our skin.
Unfortunately, in interior decorating it is not that simple. A professional interior decorator must also give great thought to how a color or palette of colors will mentally affect their clients. This concept is referred to as the psychology of color.
So why do we care about the psychology of color? Think about it this way. You want a cool spa-like room to rest and relax in. But somehow you end up with red walls! Ouch! Calm and cool? No. Red is a strong stimulator and you may find yourself bouncing off the walls with energy rather than resting peacefully with your favorite fashion magazine.
A decorator may also consider your color personality when designing a space for you. It has been shown that certain personality types prefer certain colors to others.
A decorator should also consider the way a room is to be used when selecting appropriate colors for that space. Cool colors will slow us down and give us a calm feeling, while warm colors tend to energize us and stimulate us mentally.
Color theory can be complicated, so in following are a few color concepts that are simple to understand and easy to apply to your next decorating project. You may even discover your own color personality.
Red: A strong, stimulating color. People who like reds yearn for the impulsive side of life. Red is the color of action, love, and courage. You are likely to be outspoken and athletic. You might also have a quick temper and judge things without too much deliberation. First impressions really count with you.
Blue: A serene, cool and stately color. Blue lovers tend to be capable, conservative and sensitive individuals. They are resourceful and know how to carry out responsibilities. And they also know how to make money. While they enjoy life, they find it difficult to truly share their emotions. They also tend to be very serious, opinionated and a little stubborn.
Purple: A stately, impressive color. If you like purple you're an artist at heart. The mundane things of life are far beneath you. You love culture, like to impress people, and tend to surround yourself with talented people.
Green: A calming and restful color. Green lovers tend to be fresh, natural and friendly in nature. You might tend to indulge yourself a little too much. You're very active in community affairs, like to be social, and yearn to have people like you.
Orange: A cheerful and warm color. If you like orange you're friendly, cheerful, and able to get along with practically everyone. You're social by nature, and hate to be alone. Your greatest wish is that the world be a warm and mellow place.
Yellow: A sunny and bright color. Yellow lovers tend to be very intellectual by nature. You might be just a bit stubborn, but your character is profound and your advice sensible.
In conclusion, remember one thing. There is no such thing as a bad color. Only mismatched combinations of colors and people.
