Psychology of Colours: How to Design a Calm and Intentional Living Space
We usually minimise the impact of colour on our daily lives. Colour affects our emotions, sentiments, feelings, behaviour, and even our understanding of the universe. Knowing the psychology of colours may help you to design a calm and purposeful living space that serves your values and mental health.
A calm feeling is positively linked to calm place. The calm feel is due to intentional choices made in creating that space, such as the colours you surround yourself with. By selecting colours that promote your desirable energy and mentality, you can create a home that nurtures rather than overstimulates.
The Psychology Behind Calming Colours
While some colours might be activating or even anxiety-provoking, there are others that are inherently more calming and grounding in nature. Below is a rundown of some popular soothing colours and how they support a purposeful space. Let’s discuss colour psychology one by one:
1. Soft Blues
Blue is widely associated with positive attributes like calmness and peace. It is also recognised for minimising tension and stress. Light blues are ideal for environments where relaxation is paramount: reading corners, meditation spaces, and bedrooms.
According to this research, students who received colour therapy had a reduction in stress levels. Among all colours, the blue colour was the most effective in alleviating students’ stress and anxiety.
2. Earthy Greens
Green helps us reconnect with nature and fosters peace and renewal. Wisest choices for living rooms or kitchen spaces—where you want to think and feel grounded and renewed—which may include shades of sage green, olive green, and/or mossy green shades.
3. Warm Neutrals
Warm whites, taupe, beige, and light greys offer a timeless background that invokes peace and awareness of your surroundings. These colours STAND OUT well with natural materials and pair exceptionally well for purposeful or minimalist looks as well.
4. Muted Pinks and Terracotta
Terracotta tones, blush, and gentle pinks add warmth and emotional protection. They provide individuality and tone to a space but still allow for sufficient lightness to make it feel calming.
5. Lavender and Soft Purples
Light purples, like lavender (associated with reflection and spiritual ties), can create a calming environment in sleeping spaces or meditation rooms.
Designing Your Space with Intention
According to this study, colour selection is important for each individual room in your house. Let’s discuss some major steps you will need to design your space.
1. Define the Purpose of Each Room
When picking colors, think about this: How do I want this space to feel? While a home office may need focus and clarity, a bedroom may need peace and tranquility. Let the purpose of each space guide your choice of colour.
2. Balance is Key
Don’t use one color throughout the entire home. Use the psychology of colors and balance dark and light colors as well as cool and warm tones. Accent walls, fabrics, or artwork can provide a calm alternative without overwhelming the senses.
3. Use Natural Elements to Complement
Combine calming colors with nature-inspired materials like wood, stone, linen, and cotton. These natural elements will increase relaxation, give a soothing place, and soften our environment.
4. Limit Overstimulation
Excessive electric blues, bright reds, and deep oranges can overstimulate your space, so use them conservatively, perhaps as accents or in spaces that promote energy, like a studio for those working creatively.
In Essence
The first step of establishing a peaceful, intentional living space is to mindfully select colours. This is because we do not just see colour; we also experience it, as demonstrated by the psychology of colours.
Once we design with that experience in mind, we can design environments that will create emotional balance, inner peace, and intentionality in life. Let your environments be reminders of the peacefulness that you want to create for your everyday, not just visually.
