Rainbow splatter of color

Colorful Attitude: How Rainbow Colors Can Affect Your Mood

Learn More About Color & Mood

Everyone wants to be happy, but how can you sprinkle your life with happiness all the time? Did you know your mood and the color of your space are connected? Colors can affect your mood! If you want to bring serenity to your life, consider the best combinations of colors to create an environment that enhances your joie de vivre! Learn more about how color and mood go together to create the perfect space for your needs.

 

How Do You See Color?

While everyone makes different associations with each color, there is still a primal reaction to every hue. Babies often react to primary colors because they’re easy to see and interpret. There’s a lot of research still to do within the psychology of color, but one thing everyone agrees on is that color and mood are connected. Explore the colors of the rainbow and discover how they can change the way you feel!

 

1. Red Colors & Mood

      Red Japanese style door

      Generally, red is a color that makes you want to take action — it makes you want to do things! Red is the color that hits your eyes first. We use this in everyday life by making all the most important signs red. Danger signs, road signs, and more are used to keep you safe and make sure you’re paying attention.

       

      Use red colors to affect your mood, keeping you stimulated, motivated, and focused. Because red stimulates the mind and metabolism, you want to place it in rooms that need to have high energy and intensity. A wall of burgundy in your workout space can keep you going hard and fast, while red accents in calmer rooms add a little warmth and comfort!

       

      2. Orange Colors & Mood

          Because it’s so similar to red, it’s no wonder that orange colors affect your mood in a similar way. All orange hues are considered cheerful and warm, blending the best qualities from red and yellow. 

           

          Orange is such a powerful color that you don’t need too much to make a huge impact. Opt for terracotta floors in a space to make it happy and welcoming, or add a carrot-hued armchair accent in your reading nook to make everyone want to flop down for a good book!

           

          3. Yellow Colors & Mood

              Yellow coffee mugs

              Associated with sunshine, yellow is often considered the happiest of all colors! Research shows that yellow can increase awareness, energy, and mental activity, so it’s excellent for use in a home office or other workspace.

               

              Don’t rush to paint your whole house yellow just yet! Too much yellow can actually make you more susceptible to losing your temper. Because it’s so powerful, constant exposure can be like spending too much time with a high-energy friend. Your mind and eyes may get exhausted. A little bit goes a long way, so use it as an accessory color for a mood lift as you glance over a room. You may also opt to use paler shades like wheat, butter, parmesan, and shortbread (did you just get a little hungry?)

               

              4. Green Colors & Mood

                  Green has always been associated with nature and growing things. It is a biophilic color that makes you feel connected to the great outdoors. Oftentimes, colors that are associated with nature have a calming effect, restoring balance and harmony.

                   

                  In chromatic treatments, green has often been used to fight depression and irritability, regulate the pituitary gland, and help patients in therapy recover from nervous breakdowns. You’ll also see minty tones in hospitals and therapist’s offices to keep patients calmer even in intense situations.

                   

                  5. Blue Colors & Mood

                      Woman in a blue sun hat on a beach

                      Calm and collected, blue hues are considered to be the opposite of red. They take the longest to reach your eye, so they’re never used to accentuate urgent situations. Blue colors are probably the best for bedrooms and other spaces where you want to relax and meditate. Some studies show that blue can reduce depression, lower your heart rate, inspire creativity, and improve brain function.

                       

                      Which shade of blue you choose is actually incredibly important. Different shades of blue produce more varied emotional reactions than any other primary color. Pale blue is usually associated with positive feelings, while dark blue is perceived as negative.

                       

                      6. Indigo, Violet, & Purple Colors & Mood

                          Purple is a bit of an odd duck when it comes to colors and emotion because it’s a blend of two opposites: red and blue. It can carry some of the more stimulating effects of red as well as the calming elements of blue. Many people feel that purple is a little too ostentatious and opulent for everyday spaces and tend to avoid it. Because it is both stimulating and calming, we think purple belongs in spaces where you need both. A craft room or meditation space where you want a calm mind that’s still active could be the perfect spot!

                           

                          How to Choose

                          You probably don’t pick colors for your life based on what science tells you is the right choice. You already have preferences based on your personality and associations. If you have a strong emotional reaction to a particular hue, don’t try to force it if it isn’t right for you! Check out our unique colorful products to start adding color to your space today!

                           

                          An infographic on how color affects your mood.

                           

                          Featured Products

                          1 3
                          Back to blog

                          More Blogs