Room color psychology suggests that neutrals and soft greens are soothing bedroom colors, while reds are designed more for an intimate and cozy setting. You can also opt for blues, widely considered calming bedroom colors for anxiety and stress. Thankfully, Sherwin-Williams offers a range of bedroom colors to consider.
Color Psychology
Has your mood ever shifted when you walked into a room? That's partly due to the colors surrounding you, which can powerfully shape your emotions and perceptions. This is the essence of color psychology, the study of how colors affect one's mood and behaviors. Understanding how colors affect mood has many benefits, particularly when painting the various rooms in your home. Using color psychology for interior design can help create spaces that align with your desired ambiance and tone.
Sherwin-Williams is excited to dive deep into the psychology of colors in this article, examining critical principles with the ultimate color expert: Sue Wadden - Director of Color Marketing. So, keep reading to learn how to harness the power of colors to transform any room into one that reflects your unique personality and preferred mood.
Emotions by Color Psychology
There are numerous paint colors to explore at Sherwin-Williams, but don't get discouraged! One way to speed up the selection process and ensure you're choosing a shade that works for you is by looking at each color group's role in the world of color psychology. Here's a breakdown of paint colors and moods with the help of Sue Wadden:
Reds
"Reds evoke feelings of passion, energy and intimacy – perfect for workout rooms or master bedrooms. Red also inspires appetite, so it's a logical choice for your dining room or kitchen."
Whether trying to make a bold, lively statement or a cozy and inviting bedroom, you'll want to consider a red paint color. Reds signify strength and courage while also inciting appetite and hunger, motivating viewers to act in various ways. Red is also an excellent option for rooms where you need extra energy, like an office or playroom.
Oranges
"Oranges are friendly and welcoming, perfect in family rooms, children's bedrooms or bonus rooms."
Radiate warmth, happiness and rejuvenation with orange paint colors, ideal for gathering spaces of all ages. Orange colors are unique because they combine the uplifting energy of reds with the spirited tone of yellow, even offering a slight impact on appetite in the right setting.
Yellows
"Yellow reflects light, making it an excellent choice for foyers and dark hallways. Its cheery nature has the ability to create an uplifting mood, and also makes a great accent color."
Yellow paint colors are often associated with intellect and logic (think of legal pads and sticky notes) while also delivering an inspirational and brightening tone. If you have a dark hallway or small space that could feel lighter, larger and happier, yellow might be the right option.
Greens
"Because greens are found abundantly throughout nature, they provide a feeling of familiarity. Light greens work well in living rooms and offices, while dark greens make wonderfully rich accent colors."
Ready to get back in touch with nature and the outdoors? Greens feel organic and familiar since it's an abundant color outside. You can even opt for a light green to make a space feel airy and fresh or a dark green for a richer, moodier space.
Blues
"Blue is soothing and relaxing – it's perfect for bedrooms and bathrooms. Because blue is associated with appetite suppression, it's not usually recommended for kitchens or dining rooms."
Blue colors set your mind at ease and reduce tension, working in the opposite direction of energetic reds. The best part is that a blue shade works for most settings, whether it's a breezy ocean blue for the bathroom or a sophisticated and relaxing dark blue for the bedroom.
Violets
"Purple tones are immediately attractive to children, making them perfect for playrooms. Violet also makes a stunning accent color."
Purples and violets equate to imagination and spirituality. Purple is a great option for a kid's room because of its creative vibe. However, it can also add a touch of elegance and refinement to other spaces, depending on the hue.
Choosing the best colors for mental health depends on your situation and preferences. For instance, bright, warm colors, like reds, oranges and yellows, can stimulate and uplift. On the other hand, cool and peaceful colors like blues, greens and purples can be soothing and meditative.
Yellow is often associated with happiness and positivity. Yellows reflect light and stimulate the logical side of the brain, meaning it's more creative and exciting. Plus, yellow resembles the sun, helping onlookers feel awake and active.
