The Colors of Your Environment Affect Your Mental State
If you feel the urge to redecorate, follow it.
In December of 2019, Pantone announced the 2020 Color of the Year as Classic Blue. This shade of blue is a hue that instils calm and confidence while tapping into our desire for stability and reliability.
The group at Pantone who chose this shade for 2020 didn’t know about just how much peace and tranquillity we would need during this tumultuous year, yet they picked a shade of blue — a restful colour.
“Mere colour can speak to the soul in a thousand different ways.” — Oscar Wilde
Think of your favourite colour. Do you love a specific shade or a particular hue? Or is it the full-colour family that draws you in? There is a world of difference between forest green and seafoam green, not just in the world of colour theory but in our perception.
This past year has made all of us more home-bound than usual, and just this past month, I had the urge to completely redecorate my apartment. I thought it would pass and I could save money, but as I looked at my dark wood furniture and deep, rich colour palette, I realized that the need for change was deep.
While browsing online, I found myself drawn to colours that I typically stay away from. It could be that tastes simply change, but I actually feel different since adding some fresh, bright colours to my space.
When we face stress and anxiety, we tend to seek products and spaces that are soothing and comforting — colour is a big player in crafting these spaces. Warm colours and cool colours have different effects and can evoke different feelings. Red, yellow, and orange can spark feelings of comfort and warmth or hostility and anger. Cooler colours, like blues, greens, and purples, can trigger feelings of calm or sadness.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to colour perception. We all react differently to different colours in different situations. But the colours that we surround ourselves within our lives can serve to calm us, soothe us, or be a boost of positive energy. Studies have shown that being exposed to blue light is more effective in stress reduction than is conventional white light.
The German poet and artist Johann Wolfgang von Goethe in 1810 proposed a theory of colour that explores how colour can impact moods and emotions. While there was no solid science to back it up in the 19th century, today, we better understand the power of colour on our mental and emotional state.
What colours should you introduce into your life to achieve an optimal state? Whether you’re painting your walls, changing your pillow covers, or adding some art to your home, whatever colour you pick can inspire different thoughts, ideas, and sensations.
“Colours are the light’s suffering and joy.” — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Psychological Effects of Colours
Different tones and shades of colour impact the message it can send and the emotions it can evoke. Similarly, the context of the colour also matters, along with the colours it’s paired with. But the basics of colour psychology carry standard meanings, with some differences, based on culture.
White
White is the colour of peace, purity, and cleanliness. It’s a neutral colour that is so adaptable and can be incorporated everywhere. White often gets associated with emptiness because it can be stark, but having a white space can feel beautiful and classic.
Black
Black is a staple in a lot of people’s wardrobes. It’s slimming, powerful, and conveys authority. It is also the colour of mourning and death, so having too much black in one space can feel depleting.
Red
Red is the colour of romance and love — the colour of Valentine’s Day, after all. But it’s also the colour of life, blood, and intensity. It can give you feelings of energy, comfort, or warmth, so while you may not think to add this colour to your life outside of the month of February, it’s a powerful colour to surround yourself with.
Orange
Orange is another vibrant colour. It’s a warm colour, and the terracotta orange shade has become incredibly popular in interior design. But whether you’re choosing a bright hue or a burnt option, orange is a stimulating colour. It conveys enthusiasm and energy, so while it may not be the best choice for your bedroom walls, some orange accents can warm up and brighten your space.
Yellow
Yellow is the colour we automatically associate with happiness, brightness, and a sunny disposition. Adding yellow into your life can inspire optimism, laughter, and warmth. It’s a colour that is refreshing, attention-grabbing and is a very energetic colour. So, if you need a bit of an emotional boost, having a pop of yellow around you may help.
Green
Green is the colour of nature — forests, plants, and a symbol of growth. It’s also colour we associate with money and wealth and envy and jealousy. It’s a colour of creativity and means so many different things in different contexts, but if you want a cool colour to inspire calm, incorporating green can bring feelings of harmony.
Blue
Blue is the colour of calm and tranquillity. While it can also be associated with sadness, it is a restful colour. Keeping a lot of blue in your space can be grounding and promote feelings of peace.
Purple
Purple is a royal colour. It feels luxurious while being a magical and mysterious colour. Purple is the balance between the energy of red and the calm of blue. Having purple around you helps the imagination flow and makes your space feel a little more whimsical.
Brown
Brown may seem dull, but this rich, warm colour is relaxing and comforting. It’s the colour of the soil and is earthy, dependable, and solid. Brown is the colour of coffee and warm spices, so it’s a homey colour. If you need to feel cozy and comfortable, add some rich brown tones to your space to spark these feelings.
Pink
Pink is another romantic colour, yet it’s a soft, sweet, and innocent colour. It has the vibrancy of red mixed with the purity of white, making for a happy, cheerful, and lovely colour. If you’re looking for an optimistic boost, infusing some pink into your everyday life can introduce some playfulness into your day.
Colours do more for us than they get credit for. They can soothe our nervous system or heighten our energy and affect our moods. If you feel the urge to surround yourself with a colour you never thought you liked, try it. It may be precisely what your mind and body need.
