The Psychology of Color

Pink hydrangea bloom against teal wall Pink hydrangea bloom against teal wall
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The Psychology of Color

Every time you walk into a room, color impacts how you feel.

You want to love the colors that surround you. So when imagining (or reimagining) a room, remember the influence color will have on the mood of the space. The effect may be subtle or dramatic. It can encourage tranquility or boost energy, even make you feel optimistic or more introspective.
Trendy kitchen with yellow wall and industrial chairs

The Basics

To begin to understand color's emotional impact, start with these color groups:

Pales - Their light, airy qualities make pale hues feel uplifting.

Neutrals - It's no surprise that earthy, nuanced colors keep you grounded.

Whites - Pure and pristine, these timeless colors offer a blank canvas to express your style.

Deeps - Bring drama to a room with colors that are rich and mysterious.
In this video, you will see the transformative power six different paint colors have on a single master bedroom.

Bedroom Color and Moods

The intersection of color, mood and emotion is of great interest to homeowners–particularly when it comes to, the bedroom.

Color choice is personal and highly subjective: use this video to help shape your color journey as you design your own unique sleeping space. Highlights from the paint colors featured in the video include...

  • Light green and blue create a feeling of relaxation
  • Pink lifts spirits
  • Dark navy gives off a dramatic air
  • Classic white conjures clarity
  • Warm gray is equally soothing and sophisticated
White desk along pink accent wall

Present Tints

Pale colors like dusty lavender, ballet pink and sky blue are comfortable and easy to live with. They feel positive and encourage expression, while enhancing other colors.
Neutral colors and hardwood beams above dining room

Shifting to Neutral

Neutrals go beyond gray and brown into earthy hues like slate, clay, sand and ochre. Colors in this family can be warm or cool, but are always reliable and levelheaded. And because they transition beautifully with shifting light, they're a good choice for rooms used throughout the day.
Crisp, light green bedroom retreat

Versatile White

Whites can easily feel contemporary, classic or anywhere in between. It's an honest, harmonious family of colors and a great place to start, as they complement any style. You might call it a perfect backdrop for the life happening around it.
Living room with wide fireplace, purple wall and rolling ladder

Be Dramatic

Violet, onyx, sapphire and ruby—even the names evoke something dramatic. Deep colors dissolve boundaries and create depth. They are the opposite of understatement and can fill a room with energy, creativity and confidence.