Choosing Color Interior Design
Personality and Emotion

We are looking at the design process, and how to create a room to suit you...

We are finding out about how real interior designers choose their color schemes...

Of course, you are the best person to know which colors you love...

And which colors make you happy...

But, loving a jumper in red doesn't necessarily mean that red will work well on the walls in your bedroom...

Don't worry - it is not a matter of guess work...

Although you will have your own favorite colors...

...everyone does...

...interior designers know that there are certain 'moods' that colors create...

These 'moods' make us feel certain emotions when we are surrounded by these colors...

And this affects the way you feel in your room...

As a quick example:

Colors with warm red and orange are stimulating colors - they are good for lively rooms, but less good for relaxing rooms

Colors with cool blues are good for relaxing rooms - they make us feel calm - but they aren't cozy.

And which rooms each color is usually most suited for.

All you will need to do is decide which kind of 'feel' or 'mood' you'd like to create in your room...

And choose the color from the list which gives the best match...

Shall we start?

Try to choose colors you love in your interior design...

But use the list to see how your color in interior design can create the right mood or feeling in your room.

You can use this page together with your Color Checklist to make notes on which colors will work best for your design...

Find out the ideal colors for:

• different rooms
• different personalities
• different emotions

Red
Orange
Yellow
Green
Blue
Violet
Pink
Black
White
Brown
Gray

Color in Interior Design - Red

• Red is the color of power, passion, energy and strength.


• It is often chosen by outgoing, active types. It is also the color of aggression, anger and death.


• Red is a dramatic color - it has the shortest wavelength - so leaps forward at you. Children often choose red as a favourite because of this.


• Red stimulates the brain, raising the heart rate and blood pressure, and stimulates the appetite.









• It is good for a dining room - or any room where you want to stimulate activity - so use it for a study or an exercise room.


• Although red is the color of sex and passion, be very careful about using it in a bedroom, if you want to sleep in there as well.


• Red is an aggressive color, and can make you feel very restless.


• So avoid red in rooms you intend to use for rest or relaxation.


• Red is very flattering on the complexion - so use it in rooms you want to socialise in.

• Orange is a warm, friendly color. It is cheery and full of energy. It is often chosen by fun loving, energetic, warm and friendly people.


• Like red, it is a very assertive color. It can be overpowering - so use it carefully, and in small amounts.


• Like red, orange is said to stimulate the appetite, so it is a good choice for kitchens or dining rooms.









• As it is such a cheerful and friendly color, use it in rooms used for socialising.

• Yellow is a bright happy color - optimistic in tone. It reminds us of sunshine - so use it in any room that feels short of light. It will bring a bright welcoming feel.


• It is particularly good in hallways and entrance ways.


• Yellow is said to improve the intellect and memory - and brings creativity, communication and a positive attitude. So use it wherever these are required.









• Yellow is particularly recommended for use in a study or home office.

• Green is a restful and reassuring color. It brings balance, serenity and harmony.


• It is often chose by caring and empathetic people.


• Green has strong associations with nature and the natural world.


• Because of its calming and restful effect, it is a good color to use in any room where you want to rest and relax - especially living rooms, bedrooms and bathrooms.









• Be careful though - as too much green is bland - and causes boredom. Pale green can be unflattering on the skin.

  You can avoid this by adding lots of vivid blues and turquoises into your pale green scheme.



Get ideas and inspiration for decorating color schemes using greens

• Blue is a very soothing and calming color in interior design. It gives off emotions of serenity and peace.


• Blue is often chosen by quiet, intellectual and reserved people.









• Blue is the color of calm and healing. It is very restful. So, use blue in any room you want to relax in.


• Blues stimulate the intellect and bring clarity of thought - so use them in home offices and study rooms too.


• Too much blue can be cold and formal - and may lead to feelings of withdrawal and isolation.


• Blue is associated with water, so it often used for bathrooms and kitchens.

• Violet, or Purple, is associated with spirituality.


• It is a very powerful, dignified and regal color.


• Pale lilacs can be used as blue - for relaxing and calm. They are an excellent choice for rooms used for meditation.









• Deeper purples should be used sparingly. They are tiring on the eye. But they do give off an aura of luxury and decadence.

• Pink is very much associated with the feminine - as well as feminine qualities of love, nurturing and soothing.


• It is often chosen by understanding and sympathetic, nurturing people.


• Pink is usually seen as a little girl's color interior design choice. It is often chosen for womens' and little girls' bedrooms.









• It is usually looked on by men as a color of physical weakness - but strong, vibrant cerises can be successfully used in a masculine color interior design scheme of navy and brown.


• Too much pink can be physically exhausting - so take care not to overdo it! Blend it with warm neutrals and deeper berry shades, as in the photo above.

• Black is the color of glamour and sophistication. It has an air of mystery.









• It is a very powerful and dramatic color in interior design- and can be seen as intimidating.


• When using color in interior design, black is usually best kept as an accent color, used in small amounts.


• It also makes an excellent foil to show off all other colors to their best effect.


• Or get a striking look by using black with white.

• White is the color of purity and simplicity.


• It is a highly reflective color. Use white to create the illusion of space.


• White is suitable in work environments requiring precision and accuracy.


• Too much white in a room can be cold, sterile and unfriendly.


• Pure white is a difficult color in interior design to use practically - off whites and creams are actually far more useable.









• Used as a background, white sets off other colors well - making them look fresh and clean.


• Black and white used together give a very dramatic look.

• Brown is a warm color - the color of earth and nature.


• It suggests solidity and security.


• It can be used as an alternative to black, without the negative impact.


• It looks good against all other colors - and can be used in any room.









• Brown makes a very good, sophisticated and warm, neutral basis for any interior design scheme.

• Gray is seen as a sophisticated choice for contemporary interior design schemes.


• It is associated with productivity, so is often used in offices.


• Gray can be seen as dull, lifeless and quite depressive. So, take care if you want to use gray in your rooms as gray can lead to a drop in energy, and a depressive feeling.


• Use grays with plenty of texture and pattern to add interest and life to the color.









• It is best used in formal and modern environments, and used together with other colors.

Tell us which colors you love - or love to hate!

Discover how to use the interior design color wheel and come up with your own successful decorating color schemes.

You can also have fun choosing a color scheme to suit your own personality with my new e-book: Perfect Personality Palettes:

Click here to find out more and try it for yourself...

Color Therapy

Did you know that colors can have healing properties?

Find out which colors to include in your own design...

Click here to find out more about Decorating for Color Therapy

Don't forget to take notes on which colors are right for you...

Add your notes to your free Color Checklist

Next Step:

We're not quite done with colors yet...

The next step is to think about your own room - and the space you have...

And find out which colors can make it feel larger, smaller, cozier, colder, or a more 'normal' shape...

Click here for information about colors and room proportion

Return to the main page on decorating with color.

Return from this page on emotions and color interior design to the Home Page

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