Feeling Blue? Red hot about something? Your environment may be influencing your mood more than you think.
Color has an effect on all of us. Looking at the built environment, here are five colors and how they might effect those who encounter them.
Blue
trust, integrity, tranquility, loyalty, peace, intelligence & security
Blue is a good color for bedrooms as it is calming and instills a sense of serenity and peace. The physical effects of lowering blood pressure and steadying the breath can create a peaceful environment. It is also known to affect productivity and is the most widely used color in offices. Blue is considered the most gender neutral color. In marketing, the color blue instills a sense of trust and security in the brand it is associated with.
Physical Effects of Blue on the Body
Slows respiration
Lowers blood pressure
Helps to steady the breath
Curbs appetite
Increases productivity
Calms nerves
Green
soothing, healing, mind-clearing, freshness, wealth
Green is a great color for bedrooms, offices, and living rooms. It is the most restful color on the eyes and is seen as restorative and soothing. Seen as a symbol of wealth, fertility, & new growth. Green is the most pervasive color in the natural world. It combines the refreshing qualities of blue and the warmth of yellow. It encourages comfort and togetherness while helping to de-stress the viewer. Humans can see more shades of green than any other color.
Physical Effects of Green on the Body
Relaxes both mentally and physically
Helps alleviate depression, nervousness, & anxiety
Known to be restorative
& mind-clearingEncourages composure
One of the most restful colors on the eyes.
Yellow
energetic, warm, perky, intellect, joy, optimism, youthfulness
Yellow is a good choice for areas that welcome stimulation. Kitchens, restrooms & dining rooms are appropriate places for yellow. It is energising and uplifting. Known to capture the joy of sunshine and represents happiness. Though it can be too stimulating and can cause feelings of anger and hostility if overused. It is also very straining on the eye. Yellow in marketing is seen as youthful and optimistic.
Physical Effects of Yellow on the Body
Stimulates the nervous system & mental process
Encourages communication
Sparks creative thoughts
Activates memory
In large amounts, creates feelings of frustration & anger.
Orange
success, friendliness, courage, confidence, warmth, cheerful
Orange is great for areas like exercise rooms or areas calling for high energy levels. It evokes feelings of enthusiasm and excitement. It is the most controversial hue of red with feelings of extreme love or hate towards it. Orange is also seen as a color warning of caution or aggression. Also used in retail environments as a call to action. Orange as a brand color represents a cheerful, confident, & friendly brand.
Physical Effects of Orange on the Body
Stimulates activity
Encouraged socialization
Stimulates appetite
Red
love, passion, energy, power, strength, desire, heat, danger
Red makes a bold first impression as both a warm and inviting color. The amount of red in a space is directly related to the level of energy perceived. Living rooms and dining rooms are good places for this hue. It draws people together and stimulates appetite. Red can be too intense of a color for bedrooms in large quantities. It can pump adrenaline and stir up excitement.
Physical Effects of Red on the Body
Can increase blood pressure, respiration, heartbeat, & pulse rate.
Increases enthusiasm
Encourages appetite
Increases passion & intensity