The Psychology of Colour!

The psychology of colour is a very real thing and has been adapted by many designers and decorators throughout the centuries in order to promote certain moods or to encourage the execution of certain activities within a space. Colour can demonstrate strength and compassion, weakness or fear.

Colour is often chosen based on the marketing techniques adopted by paint companies, in vogue designers or even magazines. If we are shown images of a certain colour palette and its possibilities often enough, we more often than not start to feel that this popular—often passing trend—might in fact be the perfect solution to own decorating needs. This is not exactly scientific, but it does prove the point of susceptibility in those impressionable and easily swayed by clever marketing techniques.

Colour—in a more scientific approach— is more often than not selected based on personal urge and the mood needed to be generated within the space. Corporate and construction often play with black and white for its strong, precise and credible simplicity. You might also see this in the fashion and makeup industry as a solid base for building a greater label.

Red is considered dangerous, sexy and inspires the appetite, so it’s often relegated to restaurants and bars, sports and recreation as well as anything to do with the sex industry. Green is earthy and organic, adopted mostly in the nutritional industry, medicine and even tourism. Blue is calming and clinical. You’ll often find this in dental and medical facilities, information technology companies and sometimes in corporate situations.

There are a million other colours to choose from, each with a psychological or scientific purpose behind what the hue generally propagates in the human mind and thus your decision to apply yellow paint to your child’s bedroom is more often than not, a choice made unconsciously, driven by some emotional reaction, but mostly clever marketing and the generalised use of the colour in certain applications.

Kristy J