Does your home décor look tired and unappealing? The paint colors that you selected years ago may have lost their luster, and you may be motivated to make a much-needed change in your home. A fresh application of paint is the ideal way to spruce up your décor. However, before your team of trusted interior painters can transform your home with a beautiful new color scheme, you must select your paint colors. At Hughes Painting in Chesapeake VA, we understand how challenging color selection can be. As your painting contractor, we can consult with you on colors upfront to ensure that you love your home’s new look.

What You Need to Know About the Psychology of Color

There are several important factors to consider as you explore the many color options available to you. Your rooms have built-in fixtures as well as existing furniture and accent pieces that you may not want to part with. If you do not plan to replace these pieces, your color palette should correspond well with them. In addition, you should pay attention to the effect that different colors have on mood. After all, you may not want your home office to feel subdued and your bedroom to feel energized. When you utilize the psychology of color in your favor, you can more easily and successfully create a beautiful home that you, your family and your guests feel comfortable in. What should you know about the psychology of color when you are preparing your palette?

Blue

A smart place to start your research on the psychology of colors is with a look at the primary colors. They are blue, red and yellow. When you are exposed to blue, your heart rate and blood pressure may decrease slightly. As a result, you may feel calmer than you did before you entered a blue room. Keep in mind, however, that the tone or shade can affect mood as well. For example, lighter blue shades may have a soothing effect. Brighter shades can feel both upbeat and calm. A darker tone, such as navy, may feel somber.

Red

Exposure to red has the opposite effect on your body physiologically and on your mood. Red has been proven to raise the heart rate and to increase blood pressure. These effects can make you feel passionate and energized. Red has also been shown to stimulate hunger. Because of these effects, red is often selected for a kitchen color palette. It may also be used successfully in areas where you gather with friends and family, such as in a game room.

Yellow

Like red, yellow is a high-energy color. It can promote focus and happiness. It may also be associated with growth and positivity. Because of how energizing it is, it is not usually used heavily in areas of the home where you want to relax, such as in a living room or a bedroom. However, shades that range from daffodil to canary and others may work well in kitchens, bathrooms and breakfast nooks.

Pink

Pink is known for its feminine qualities, so you may not be surprised to learn that it evokes a nurtured feeling. It can also promote feelings of empathy, kindness and love. While a shade like baby pink may be commonly considered for a young girl’s bedroom, the wide range of pink tones gives you plenty of options for incorporating the color beautifully in other rooms of the home.

Purple

Purple can be a light, airy color or a deep, rich hue. Darker shades, including violet and plum, have a royal, sophisticated feel. As a result, they are associated with passion, confidence and creativity. Lavender, lilac and other lighter tones, however, can be relaxing and inspirational. Smoky shades of purple are both elegant and subdued.

Green

All shades of green are associated with nature, so it makes sense that green has a refreshing, peaceful feel in the home. Lighter and brighter green tones can reduce your stress level while also having a mildly energizing feel. Darker tones, such as olive and forest green, can make you feel focused and calmer. Because of these effects, darker green colors may work well for your color palette in a home office or a study.

Orange

Both red and yellow combine to create orange, so you may not be surprised to learn that orange has an energizing effect. Throughout the full range of shades and tones, it has a vibrant feel that is both warm and positive. It can evoke happiness and alertness. Because orange can be overpowering, a lighter tone may be a great option when you are painting a large surface area in a space. For example, peach may be a beautiful choice for a living room or a bathroom. Darker tones, such as spice and pumpkin, have warm energy that may be ideal for a sitting room or a home office.

Request a Color Consultation At Hughes Painting, our Chesapeake VA interior painters are happy to work with any lovely combination of colors that you select. We know that many of our clients initially delay contacting a painting contractor because they have not yet selected their palette. We offer a complimentary color consultation to our valued clients. Through a color consultation, you can explore tones and shades that could work well with your décor and that take into account the psychology of color. Contact us today to request an in-home consultation with one of our color experts.