Design Basics – The Power of Color

Since before time began, as the first “rosy fingers of dawn” touched the lands in which we live, the earth was found saturated in color. Imagine being there, before civilizations were formed… before industry took hold of the world… before the cold steel and hard concrete of progress infested much of what we see and touch. Imagine the warm subtle earth tones that could be seen in the surrounding landscape of mountains and rocks, laying a foundation for the climbing greens and yellows of trees and shrubs, while the inviting orange and red backdrop of the morning sky inevitably transitions itself to light indigos and blues as the day progresses, only to return to its original hues to usher in the evening. Imagine the effect these primordial colors could have on your outlook for the day. How could they change your perspectives? How could they alter your desires?

Each of the basic colors within the light spectrum has a very direct, definable impact on the attitudes and personalities of people. It is imperative to design spaces with this in mind. What emotion are you trying to evoke within any given space? Is your desire to calm and soothe those who enter, or are you hoping to energize them with a youthful optimism? Are you designing your space to attract those with power and sophistication, or are you creating a sensual atmosphere of retreat and relaxation? Remember that colors often have different meanings in various cultures, but in the U.S., researchers have generally found the following principles to be true.

RED –

The most emotionally intense of all colors, red has been found to stimulate the minds and bodies of people in multiple studies. It can excite like no other color, to the point of physically increasing the heartbeats and breathing of those under its influence. The color red (in design) can evoke love, desire, passion and danger within a space. It also conjures up a sense of speed, strength and energy. Due to its potency, red is best used as an accent color rather than a primary color within a space (i.e. throw pillows, area rugs, or small pieces of furniture).

ORANGE –

Not quite as intense as red, orange still has a great amount of energy to it. It is a very warm color often used for attention getting purposes due to its luminous qualities. The color orange has been known to evoke a warmth and balance within a space without losing a sense of energetic enthusiasm. Orange is great color for defining an area’s foundation and creating a base for growth.

YELLOW –

Yellow is also an attention getter, much like orange, but in a more cheerful, optimistic manner. It has been known to enhance concentration and actually speed up metabolism. Be careful in design, though, as it can be an overpowering color if overused. People statistically lose their tempers easier in yellow rooms, animals are set on edge and babies are more apt to cry. If used in moderation, yellow will carry with it a sense of happiness, hope, imagination, youth and idealism to your new space.

GREEN –

One of the most popular colors in modern day design; green (and its many shades) is the great symbol of nature’s growth and renewal. It is being used in hospital lobbies across the country to help promote healing among the sick and relaxation among the scared. It is also one of the easiest colors for the human eye to take in and is believed to help in improving vision because of this. Most likely because of its tie to money, green also has been known to conjure up feelings of both generosity and jealousy, depending on the person.

BLUE –

Acting in an opposite manner as red, blue creates a tranquil effect on those under its spell. It causes the body to produce calming chemicals that relax individuals. It has been known to slow the pulse, lower body temperatures and reduce appetites. For this reason, its most common use in interior design in the bedroom. Blue also creates a sense of stability, harmony, trust, loyalty and security. Never trust a politician wearing blue!

VIOLET –

In ancient days, purple dies were made from the mucous gland secretions of a marine snail known as the spiny dye-murex. Because of this, purple was a difficult color to create, and was reserved for royalty and those with the money to justify its creation. Though violet and purple are not “scientifically” the same color (purple not actually being present as a wavelength on the spectral chart), they both have the same psychological effect on people within a space. Because of its humble beginnings, violet is seen as the color of nobility, evoking feelings of wisdom, royalty, and ceremony. It is more recently seen as a color of creativity, used in fashion and design for the “right brained”.

BLACK –

Though it is technically the absence of all light and color, black is a key element in the design of any space. It goes with anything and it accents everything. In design, black represents power and sophistication… formality and elegance… wealth and mystery. It intrinsically hides shadows that could be unwanted, generalizing a space. Black is also known to create a sense of depth, anonymity, controlling power and mystery. Be careful in using too much black in interior design, as most people also have underlying feelings of fear, sadness and death when confronted with it.

WHITE –

The most widely used color in design today; white represents simplicity, precision, cleanliness, purity, peace, humility and innocence. White is the joining of all colors within the light spectrum, directly opposing black. Used in interior spaces, it is a neutral color that goes with everything. It is also the color that “shows” everything. Where black hides a multitude of sins, white exposes them. It is very difficult to keep clean and, because of this, represents an environment of sterility. White brightens spaces naturally, reflecting the light that is allowed in, and compounding its effects. For a contrasting juxtaposition, white and black are usually used in close proximity to one another, in order to accentuate the difference between them.

All visible recognition of this world is due to color. What is seen not only affects us because of its shape, but also because of its hues and saturation. When using certain colors within a space, keep in mind the psychological effects that it may have on those who come in contact with it. How do you want your guests to feel? What do you want them to see? Where do you want them to be led? Understanding the effects of color within your space can give you greater control over it. Be bold… be daring… be cautious… be reserved! Implement the basics of design and your space can be exceptional!