Colours, and how they affect your mood!

Colours play a bigger role in our lives than we may be aware of. From the philosophical chakras, to Vaastu, science, and semiotics, the study of colour is a fascinating subject to all of mankind. Today, rigid medical standards concede that our perception of colour is most intricately woven with our moods and even overall personalities.

As childish as it sounds, almost all of us have a favourite when it comes to colour. Yes, some of us, like me, even find it changing from time to time, but the truth is, if you really think of it – it is all subjective to where a colour is being used and for what.

To put it differently, colour is like music. Different genres of music are great for different times on basis of how they make us feel. For example, you want to hear more upbeat, fast, energizing music while in a gym, but slow, soothing melodies just before hitting the bed. The context makes all the difference.

Now when it comes to design, there is no ground rule that mandates the use of a specific colour in a particular space, however, it is important to understand how these colours interact with us before taking a decision.

When it comes to commercial spaces colours are often decided on basis of the activities carried out in the space (for example in a photography or design studio), or even to comply with brand specifications and so on. The one rule we like to follow while designing is: don’t think about trends or generic standards, focus more on your need.

When it comes to residential spaces though, you have a little more liberty of choosing colours on basis of wants more freely than needs. If you happen to love the colour blue for example, you can use it creatively in whatever amount you please. (Just be careful of not overdoing it though in this case or you could lead to a space that feels monotonous or boring!)

Quick tip: You can play around with shades of colours when it comes to designing a space. We like to think of the famous 30-60-10 decorating rule.

Irrespective of commercial or residential though, here is a generalized list of colours, the moods they convey, and the space they are best suited for:

Warm Colours

  • Red: The most intense colour, red is known to raise the energy level in the room. It can stimulate passion and love, but also showcase anger and power if used too aggressively.

    Best suited for:

    • Dining rooms
    • Living rooms
    • Entry ways
 
  • Orange: An energetic colour, orange is a more selective version of red. It helps evoke excitement and promotes activity. In some ways, orange is known as the artists’ colour too.

    Best suited for:

    • Exercise rooms
    • Playrooms
    • Study rooms
    • Dining rooms
    • Patio
 
  • Yellow: Always seen as the colour of happiness, yellow is another energizing colour that captures the warmth of sunshine. This reflects a welcoming, friendly, and positive atmosphere.

    Best suited for:

    • Living Rooms
    • Bathrooms
    • Kitchens
    • Dining rooms
  • Pink: Although pink comes in various shades from a calming baby pink to the vibrant hot pink, it is normally associated with the feelings of love, kindness, and a sense of passion or creativity.

    Best suited for:

    • Office spaces
    • Bedrooms
    • Children’s nurseries

Cooler Colours

  • Green: Seen as one of the most restful colours, green has a generally calming, effect. Perhaps a connection with nature, it tends to lend freshness to a room and is often seen as being stress-busting.

    Best suited for:

    • Living Rooms
    • Bedrooms
    • Kitchens
  • Blue: Another calming colour, blue, also reflective of water, gives a soothing effect to a space. This is why it is often seen in commercial spaces to create an atmosphere of productivity, and in residential spaces for relaxation.

    Best suited for:

    • Bedrooms
    • Bathrooms
    • Offices
  • Purple: A colour often related with royalty, purple represents sophisticated drama when used in darker shades, and a sense of relaxed elegance when used in lighter shades like lavender.

Best Suited for

    • Bedrooms
    • Offices
    • Living Rooms
    • Dinning Room

All of the above said though, we have seen (and even designed) some spaces with unconventional use of colours! At the end of the day, it is all about finding something you are comfortable functioning in with ease and comfort!