It’s widely known that there are psychological associations with colors. Just ask the University of Iowa football team, as they painted their visitor locker room pink as a sort of intimidation factor. Pink has been said to soothe people, which is the opposite of what a football team wants to be when they head out onto the field. Coach Hayden Fry—the mastermind behind the pink locker room and a Psych grad himself—noted in his book that he couldn’t recall a time when a coach raised a stink about the locker room that this coach’s team didn’t lose. Interesting, eh?
When it comes to picking out paint colors for your home, you might not want to dismiss it, saying, “A color’s just a color,” as there is more to it that. Of course, if you’re looking to sell your home, advice from San Diego painting service Finish Line Paint is to go with neutral shades like white, cream, taupe, or even a light gray. You want your prospects to be able to envision themselves in your home, so any colors that are a bit too “out there” might be an automatic turn-off. If you’re doing it just to revitalize your home, however, then you’ve got a bit more flexibility. Read on for more on what certain paint colors may be saying about your house (and/or you!).
You Don’t Have to Be Blue to Choose Blue
Blue isn’t the hue of the depressed, although it may be an indication that you’re an introvert. Some say its tranquility and association with the sea can transform your home into a peaceful retreat away from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. As this Real Simple article notes, blue on its own can be a bit chilly, so you’d benefit from pairing your blue walls with accents that have hints of orange, yellow, or brown.
Jewel Tones are a Diamond in the Rough
About ten years ago, you would have never seen these types of bold colors in anyone’s home—in shapewear, yes, but not on walls. However, they have made their way into many houses in this day and age, and they are always eye-catching. Deep reds, violets, mustard colors, greens, and more are the norm these days instead of the exception. They definitely show that you are trying to make a statement, but those who do them most artfully do them in smaller areas and pair them with neutral tones to balance them out a bit. Many often recommend that you don’t use them in areas where you lounge for long periods of time but, rather, in places like powder and guest rooms.
Pump Up the Energy With Warm Shades
Yellow isn’t for everyone, but those who have managed to pick out just the right vibrancy and have tastefully matched these walls with calmer grays or green artful accents know that it can be a magical thing. It’s hard to walk into a yellow room and feel sad. In fact, we’d say it’s darn near impossible. Reds, oranges, and even beiges can fall under this warm category, too, and seem to have the same impact upon guests. As long as you master how to temper these a bit with other colors, you’ll manage to make a room bold and brave while also inviting. As this Houzz article notes of a bold, red living room, “Since warm colors tend to advance, this means that they tend to draw in a space … If the designer wanted to make the room feel more open and expansive, she would have chosen a cooler color.”
You’ll Be Green With Envy For These Cool Shades
Cool colors typically run from blue green through blue violet on the color wheel, with most grays included, too. Of these, green is often considered to be one of the most calming and also the most neutral. Dark greens have come to represent stability and wealth (hello, cold, hard cash) while lighter greens are thought to be more light and cheery. Olive green is often associated with peace and harmony. Teal has come to represent stability and good emotional health. And if you’re going for a more spatial effect than a psychological one, these cooler hues usually open up a space rather than make them feel confining.
Hopefully the shades of paint color in your home have made it your own retreat from a world that can be downright stressful. If you’re in the market for some new shades, think about what these colors mean and what they will do to your target rooms, and then pull the trigger.
