THE PSYCHOLOGY OF COLOR. SO, YOU'RE IN A MOOD.

The Psychology of Color

What Color is your Mood?

By Ken Rader-Ken Rader Interiors l.l.c.

Of the many things in our world that affects us, Color is on the top of the list.  You cannot escape color.  It is ubiquitous.  Yet what does it all mean?  Why are people more relaxed in green rooms?  Why do weightlifters do their best in blue gyms.

Colors often have different meanings in various cultures.  And even in Western societies, the meanings of various colors have changed over the years. But today in the U.S., researchers have generally found the following to be accurate.

   BLACK

Black is the color of authority and power.  It is popular in fashion because it makes people appear thinner, that’s right thinner.  It is also stylish and timeless.  Black also implies submission.  Some fashion experts say a woman wearing black implies submission to men.  I am not a fashion expert so I am not saying anything about this.  Black outfits can also be overpowering, or make the wearer seem aloof or evil.  Villians, such as Dracula,  often are portrayed in Black.

WHITE

Brides wear white to symbolize innocence and purity.  White reflects light and is considered a summer color.  White is popular in decorating and in fashion because it is light, neutral, and goes with everything .  However, white shows dirt and is therefore more difficult to keep clean that other colors.  Doctors and nurses wear white to imply sterility.  Painters, of which I am one, also wear white.  It implies clean and neat though some of my white pants have every color that I have painted in the last 2 years on them.  You start wearing them like they are some kind of badge of excellence, I think.

RED

The most emotionally intense color, red stimulates a faster heartbeat and breathing.  It is also the color of love.  Red clothing gets noticed and makes the wearer appear heavier. You disagree?  I’m just sayin’.  Since it is an extreme color, red clothing might not help people in negotiations or confrontations.  Red cars are popular targets for thieves and get stopped more often by the police for speeding.  In decorating, red is usually used as an accent.  Decorators say that red furniture should be perfect since it will attract attention.

The most romantic color, PINK, which is a variation of red, is more a tranquilizing.  Sports teams sometimes paint the locker rooms used by opposing teams  right pink so their opponents will lose energy.  Pink is also a symbol of hope and cure.

BLUE

The color of the sky and ocean, blue is one of the most popular colors.  It causes the opposite reaction as red.  Peaceful, tranquil blue causes the body to produce calming chemicals, so it is often used in bedroom.  Blue can also be cold and depressing.  Fashion consultants recommend wearing blue to job interviews because it symbolizes loyalty.  People are more productive in blue rooms.  Studies show weightlifters are able to handle heavier weights in blue gyms.  I tried it.  I am not a weightlifter so guess what?  It did not help me.

Food for thought.  While blue is one of the most popular colors it is one of the least appetizing.  When food is dyed blue and is served, study subjects lose appetite.  Perhaps we can come up with a” Blue Diet”.

GREEN

Currently the most popular decorating color, green symbolizes nature.  It is the easiest color on the ey and can improve vision.  It is a calming, refreshing color.  People waiting to appear on TV sit in ”green rooms”.  Hospitals use green because it relaxes patients.  Brides in the Middle Ages wore green to symbolize fertility.  Dark Green is masculine, conservative, and implies wealth.  It is not by chance that the phrase “Green” is used to described environmentally safe products.

YELLOW

Cheerful sunny yellow is an attention getter.  While it is considered an optimistic color, people lose their tempers more often in yellow rooms and babies cry more in yellow surroundings.  It is the most difficult color for the eye to take in, so it can be overpowering if overused.  Yellow enhances concentration, HENCE THE YELLOW LEGAL PAD.  It also speeds metabolism so it is a very popular color for dining rooms.

PURPLE

The color of royalty, purple connotes luxury, wealth and sophistication. It is also feminine and romantic.  However, because it is rare in nature, purple can appear artificial.  Purple is the color of my high school.  We were “The Purple Bulldogs”, that sounds ferocious.

BROWN

Solid, reliable brown is the color of  earth and is abundant in nature.  Light brown implies genuineness while dark brown is similar to wood or leather.  Brown can also be sad and wistful.  Men are more apt to say brown is on of their favorite colors.  I painted the exterior of my house “Espresso Brown”.  My home is in the country and blends in with the surroundings,  I think is was the perfect choice.

Well, there you have it.  You may or may not agree with my thoughts on color.  But I do think that there is a measure of truth in what I have presented.  Check it out, you may surprise yourself at how each different color affects you or those around you.

Of the many wonders of this beautiful planet that we live on, color is the most spectacular.  Blue skies, green grass and trees, the endless variety of color in the animal kingdom, rich dark dirt, cotton white clouds, flowers of every color and of course “ The Rainbow”.  Drink it in, enjoy it everyday.  It is a gift from our creator.  We do not need color to live or survive but oh how wonderful it makes life.

As always “ Happy Painting and Decorating”

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Smiles

Ken Rader

Ken Rader Interiors L.L.C.

Serving Northwest Arkansas since 1987