Colour Psychology

Find out how different colours can affect mood and atmosphere.

When choosing colours for your project remember the influence colour can have on the mood of the space. The effect may be subtle or dramatic. Colour can encourage tranquillity or boost energy, even make you feel optimistic or more introspective. Colour psychology has become a popular area of colour theory that assigns emotional and psychological connotations between colours and emotions. Many of the meanings we assign to a colour are universal however some are also cultural, for example red can be associated with to love, but also to daring and danger. Whether you like a colour can also depend on childhood memories and your association between the colours and feelings at that point in time.

Colour Groups

Generally different groups of colour types can have differing impacts:

Pales - Their light, airy qualities can make pale hues feel uplifting.
Neutrals - Earthy, nuanced colours can keep you grounded.
Whites - Pure and pristine, these timeless colours offer a blank canvas to express your style with the help of coloured soft furnishings and furniture.
Deeps - Bring drama to a room with colours that are rich and mysterious.

Colour Families

Let’s look at some universal and cultural connotations associated with six key colours.

Red- It’s the universal colour signifying power and danger. Red is vibrant, stimulating and exciting with a strong link to sexuality and increased appetites. It attracts the most attention and is also associated with love, passion, and anger. Wearing red can give confidence that one might not normally feel, exuding strength and power. It’s warm and positive.
There are some bold variations of red in Aura Colour Stories brochure that can be seen teamed with paler shades to create confident schemes . If you are choosing a deep saturated version of red then a little can go a long way, and in large areas red can cause visual strain. However, used selectively it can have a beautiful impact especially when teamed with a neutral or a pale green to balance it out. Red doesn’t always have to be the most vibrant version of itself either, pink belongs to the red family.

Orange- Radiates warmth and happiness, combining the physical energy and stimulation of red with the cheerfulness of yellow. This is the colour of optimism. Orange can inspire courage, enthusiasm, rejuvenation, and vitality.
It also reminds one of Autumn shades and can incorporate browns and spicy shades. In its pale form, like a peach it can combine particularly well with a pale blue to create a subtle but effective scheme. In its bold version it suits family kitchens and also restaurants; areas where people gather to socialise and become energised.

Yellow- Is a warm and happy colour that creates a sense of cheerfulness and playfulness, brightening people’s spirits. The colour of the mind and the intellect, resonating with the left, logical side of the brain. It is creative, the tone of new ideas and new ways of doing things. However, too much yellow can cause agitation and overpower.
It’s great to use to stand out from the crowd and can be paired with a neutral or a shade of white to moderate the look. Also, blues contrast beautifully with yellows.

Green- Represents the natural word, balance and growth. It is restful and secure, symbolizing harmony, healing, and stability. It also represents security and self-reliance.
Lighter greens such as turquoise and aqua are popular especially for bathrooms. However darker greens such as a teal, (which is made from green and blue) or a forest green are bold and steady and make a statement. Consider our Fresh Pales brochure; there are some beautiful versions of pale greens that suit any room and also especially a room that does not get a lot of natural light.

Blue- Is a universally favoured colour representing trust, honesty and peace. It suggests loyalty and integrity as well as conservatism and predictability. This has the opposite effect on the brain than red. It is calming, reducing tension and fear. Being cool, it also creates a sensation of space.
There are many variations of blue; the lighter whiter hues evoking sky and sea, and the darker feeling solid and rich. Our Dramatic Deeps brochure features some gorgeous rich blues that can be used with shades of white to create sophisticated clean looks or maybe team with grey or neutral to give a modern feel.

Purple: Is often associated with spirituality and religion. The colour of imagination, it is also introspective, allowing us to connect with our deeper thoughts. It can be is dignified and tranquil but also can imply wealth, royalty and quality. Often used by premium brands and worn by religious leaders.
A deep traditional purple can contrast nicely with a pale off-white green or a more subtle lilac purple can create a soothing lavender ambience. View the range of different purples available in our Colour Families page.

 

If you are unsure, then we recommend…..

…browsing through the Colour Brochures on this site and consider how the colour combinations in the room images create different atmospheres. See which you prefer. Also order some colour tester pots so that you can compare a few different shades around the room. This is particularly useful once you have chosen your colour family e.g. a green, and you are trying make your final choice from a few greens that you like.