Does color really affect mood?

If you are renovating or freshening up your home, choosing the right colors can be tricky. So, why not choose colors by how they make you feel?

But hang on a second, do colors really affect the way you feel? According to psychologists they do. Dr Sally Augustin, a fellow at the American Psychological Association, says:

“Room color, particularly in your home, can dramatically affect moods, feelings and emotions.

“Colors that are less saturated and relatively bright, such as sage green, are relaxing to look at. Meanwhile, colors that are saturated and not very bright, like a rich sapphire blue, are energizing to look at.”

How colors can make you feel

According to those who work in color psychology, as the field is known, different hues can affect the way you feel in many different ways. There are colors that relax you, some that energize you, some that promote productivity and others that can even stimulate appetite or make you feel passionate.

Blue for example (when not too bright a shade) is known as a cool, soothing color that aids sleep, according to designer Jenna Pizzigati-Coppola. Color psychologists even suggest that blue can bring down your blood pressure and slow your breathing and heart rate. Red, on the other hand, is said to raise excitement, stimulating desire and passion.

So which colors should you choose?

If you want to optimise your mood at home it might be worth considering the colors suggested in this infographic created by Regal Paints. It has been made after extensive research into color psychology and advice by both color psychologists and interior design experts.

The graphic includes pros and cons of the colors selected, plus usage tips and suggestions for floor colors and finishes. Why not try it in your home and see how these hues affect your mood?

Photo by www.regalfloorpaint.co.uk