Voice of Color Cafe » color psychology

Color Psychology Orange

Dee Schlotter — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 13:00:21 +0000

Psychologically speaking, color therapists claim that orange is supposed to shore up the immunity system and stimulate digestion. Orange is, without a doubt, a “happy” color. It frees emotions, promotes self-esteem and the capacity to forgive. This stimulating color fights depression and cultivates good humor. Lighter hues such as peach and apricot, help restore nervous energy. Those who often wear orange are active, competent and rather impatient. They are independent, motivated, competitive and well organized. They are also creative and practical people, full of energy and often incapable to stay put. Orange combines red’s and yellow’s stimulating attributes. It is a “happy” hue with a strong personality that pleases active, self-confident people. It seems that dancers are often attracted to orange. Those who find orange too strong often find such as terra-cotta, peach or amber more acceptable as they retain some of the attributes of orange.

Color Psychology-Red

Dee Schlotter — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 13:28:31 +0000

Our body is affected in different ways by different light wavelengths. Red light has the longest wavelength and the slowest vibratory rate. Red light has been shown to stimulate the heart and thus blood circulation. It also fortifies the body and helps build up red blood cells. Color influences our emotions and psychological state too. Red is a very powerful color, associated with a high level of energy and stimulation. It goes hand in hand with adjectives such as courageous, antidepressant, assertive, determined, friendly, warm, and sensual. On the other hand, too much of some reds can make people feel irritable, impatient and even angry. Try to use somewhat subdued shades of red, like terra-cotta, or, if you wish to use bright red, assess how much you can use to make it a profitable addition to your environment without getting overwhelmed.

People who like to wear red tend to be ambitious, impulsive, excitable, and energetic. They tend to be high achievers, courageous and extroverted, which can make them good leaders. Because of its stimulating effect, red is well suited to rooms where movement and activity are high, like the hall, staircase, exercise room or kitchen. But remember, you don’t need to paint all the walls red to get the beneficial effects of this color; if you are not sure how much impact it will have, try it as an intermediate or accent color first.

Color Over Clutter

Fawn Chang — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 13:43:05 +0000

Ok, so you have a lot of stuff even after you have pared down and purged–but you love it all, now what? If you love it, keep it! Clearing is a process and after a few rounds we feel lighter, more clear and free but we don’t all have to be minimalists right now. We know that stuff can bog you down, make you gain weight, keep you feeling scattered but it is also important that we live with the stuff we love. If it’s a lot or too much, here’s a solution:

Take some time to just zoom out for a moment and really look for a unifying color theme to all your stuff. You will usually find one. Then, go bold! Paint that color on the wall behind your ’stuff’ or on two walls or on all 4 walls. The focus of bold color will calm the cacophony of all the voices of your stuff and and like a melody have it singing the same harmonious tune. Use even just a ‘color block’ to define the space and corral the clutter.

Our body’s want to make sense of things around us…gestalt of looking for the whole big picture. In the same way that computers can’t make easy sense of the codes that we are asked to type in to make sure we are human and not spamming computers, that mechanism in our brain/body works to put pieces together to make a picture. The fewer pieces, the less eye-movement and the less stress imprinted on our bodies. The best is to get rid of the excess clutter–the stuff that weighs you down–but if we pull the pieces together with the same color it has a similar result.

You may be surprised that that color you choose will often be the right one for you but here’s a quick guide:

Yellow, brown or tan will ground your energy. Too much will make you crabby or lethargic or overly detail oriented.

Orange is a social color and firey answer to get you out into the world networking and talking. Red will activate your spaces so make sure you know what you want to have more of (use the bagua for a guide).

Pink is a compassionate color and will make you more loving.

Blue is calm and loyal color, Restful even when paired with white.

Black will get things flowing as it is water energy. A little is elegant and social, emotional and flowing. Too much would be like living next to a swamp or even Niagara Falls, you’d plunge deep into waters you may not want to know about.

Green–Thomas Jefferson painted the entry floor of Monticello, his beautiful mansion deep grass green to bring the healing energy of green into his life. Fresh green can help you spring forward, be independent and lose weight. Be careful to avoid “Mr. Yuk” Green in your spaces as this color can actually make you sick.

*Monticello Photo courtesy of Thomas Jefferson Foundation http://classroom.monticello.org/teachers/gallery/image/181/Monticellos-East-Front-Portico/

In my talks around North America I tell audiences how to use color to bring joy and empowerment into their spaces, not just paint but color in any form, placed well will bring happiness to your life.

All my best, Fawn

Color Psychology-Black

Dee Schlotter — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 13:00:34 +0000

Black creates diverse characteristics: it provides a feeling of protection, comfort, and yet, a sensation of mystery. It is associated to silence, infinity as well as to the feminine vital force. Since its effects are dramatic, black should be used carefully. Some believe its powers can also be associated with restraining personal evolution or as a deterrent to change. Wearing black clothes in certain occasions demonstrates self-control and an authoritarian personality; it represents a determined, disciplined individual with a strong will and firm ideas.

It is also seen more in urban rather than rural areas. The use of Black in decoration can be dramatic and inspiring, and it enhances the psychological effects of other colors. It is however, important to use it in moderation: a large black wall or ceiling can feel smothering and decrease the visual size and feel of the space, but, used sparingly in accents and for heightened dramatic effect, can be extraordinarily successful. Judicious use of black in your décor will highlight other colors, and add a touch of refinement and drama. Finally, open yourself up to the virtues of good fortune and luck that the Chinese associate with the color black, surely it is a virtue we can all appreciate to enhance our lives.

Color Psychology-Blue

Dee Schlotter — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:50:47 +0000

Blue is first and foremost a calming color, one that promotes physical and mental relaxation, inner security and confidence. Color therapy uses blue to stimulate healing, relieve pain and lower blood pressure. People who wear light blue clothing are often creative, sensitive and imaginative. They need a peaceful environment. Those who tend to favor dark blue clothing are known to be intelligent, independent and very responsible. They look for tranquility and like to be surrounded by affection and tenderness. Light blue promotes creativity. That is why it is recommended to decorate offices and studies. Ideally, it should be associated with yellow, which stimulates the mind and raises one’s organizational capacity. Turquoise seems to facilitate communications between people who surround themselves in it. Dark blue is a welcome addition to the bedroom as it encourages deep and peaceful sleep. Be careful however not to use it in a room where you plan to spend your days. You could fall prey to its un-stimulating and powerful sedative effects. In summary, blue can be used to create environments that are stimulating and inspiring, depending on the purpose of the room in which it is used.

Color Psychology-Yellow

Dee Schlotter — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 21:20:28 +0000

How would you react to a kitchen in which your sense of organization could find an ally? How about an area where homework could be done more effectively, or a family room where good humor would prevail? To be sure color is not the only factor in creating ambience in a room but it does contribute a lot to it. And yellow can help you create such a pleasant environment in many ways.

Yellow is bright, happy and stimulating. It is associated with intellect and the expression of thoughts. It improves memory, judgment and the capacity for decision-making. Yellow also promotes the assimilation of new ideas and the capacity for understanding varying points of view. Moreover, it seems that yellow helps people become more organized and to adopt an optimistic attitude, something one can appreciate in any room. People who like to wear yellow are interesting and stimulating. They thrive on being active and taking up challenges. They search for happiness. Yellow, therefore, is an excellent choice in decorating a room that is dedicated to intellectual pursuits. However, it is important to use it in connection with a color such as blue that brings a measure of security and calm to the décor. Used alone in large quantities, yellow can prove to be too stimulating for the nervous system.

Color Psychology-Green

Dee Schlotter — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 21:12:14 +0000

Green stands as a symbol of life, growth and harmony. It brings us comfort, relaxation and wellness. When we think of green, we imagine many of nature’s offerings such as forests, trees, grass, olives, apples, lichen, jade and emerald. Green’s strong link with nature seems to bring us closer to nature and to one another. In addition to fostering peace of mind, green seems to balance certain of our physiological functions, among them our heart, lungs and blood circulation. Certain studies even suggest that green promotes deep, slow breathing.

Color therapists use green to cure a number of ailments. Those who dress in green tend to be careful, inclined to observe rather than act.They also display a humanitarian spirit, enjoy helping others and tend to notice details that others simply overlook. In decoration, certain nuances of green, such as mint and aqua, are considered refreshing. Apple and lime green are more stimulating and create an atmosphere of joy and lightness, while darker shades such as bottle and olive green can add a touch of calm to a décor. Thanks to its inherent qualities, green, in one of its many nuances, suits any room and brings a welcome touch of nature into our lives.

Intro to Color Psychology

Dee Schlotter — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 15:54:53 +0000

Most of the time, we choose colors for decorating based on our personal taste and our sense of aesthetics. But, a number of color experts believe that colors have an effect on our emotions and that it would be wise of us to be conscious of that before settling on a definite choice. Some of the effects of colors are well known and accepted by most people. In fact, those effects have been the subject of serious research and experiments and have been scientifically proven. But not all scientists agree on the validity of the results. When we become interested in the psychological effects of colors, it is important to know that not all societies share our perception of those effects on our emotions. What we hold as an “objective” observation on a color is often nothing more than a reflection of our cultural affiliations, which has attributed properties to that color for generations. Why is it not possible for us to hold a really objective discourse on the subject? In part, because it is very difficult to separate the psychological from the symbolic. The symbolic aspects are definitely cultural. Often, and this without our realizing it, they influence our perception of colors and the ensuing emotions. Black and white are good examples. In western countries, black is considered serious, dramatic and sometimes sad. People are warned against its potentially depressing effects on a decorating scheme. Black is the traditional color of mourning. White, on the other hand, is associated with purity, peace and optimism. For those reasons, white is the traditional color of bridal dresses. No one would think of attending a funeral in white. Nor would it occur to a bride to wear black. We simply remain convinced that it is not in the “nature” of those colors. Yet, in certain oriental countries, it is white, not black that is the color of mourning. That having been said, there is some overlapping in the properties different cultures attribute to certain colors. For example, Feng Shui, the traditional Chinese philosophy that distinguishes between good and evil influences interprets colors much in the same way as the majority of western color specialists. Is that to say that colors have real natural properties, which all humans perceive in the same way? Or is the phenomenon an example of the cross-influences that affect the thinking of cultures brought closer to one another by certain Venetian named Marco Polo? It is difficult to say. But, be that as it may, colors do affect us. And if you feel emotions for a certain color, note them and remember them. You may even wish to consider them next time you are planning to decorate. The decision is yours!