Understanding The Rules Of Color And Why It Matters In Your Environment
March 03, 2021
By: Emily Powers of Three-Sixty Interiors
Whenever I tell someone I’m a Certified Color Expert it makes me giggle. It seems so silly and like a made-up title. But I believe color, and understanding the rules of color (yes, there are rules!), is important. A common question people ask when getting to know someone is “What is your favorite color? ”It can say a lot about that person and their personality. Color symbolizes emotions–“seeing Red”,“ feeling Blue” or “Green with envy.” We associate color with meaning–Red symbolizes Love, Green is for Luck, Purple is associated with Royalty, White is Purity and Black can mean Death.
When incorporating color into your home and office space, here are some important things to know:
Neutral Colors are not Neutral
There are three neutral colors: Beige, Gray and White. But all three have an undertone, meaning they can have a Green, Blue, Pink, or Yellow hue. As a general rule, Beige and Gray don’t play well together unless it’s a mix of both in a hybrid neutral called “Greige”. Gray has been a popular neutral fort he last five years. But don’t use it if you have Beige finishes you don’t plan on replacing, such as carpet, countertops, etc. There are three subcategories of White: Pure White, Off-White and Cream. When painting trim you can use any of the three with Beige, but NEVER pair Cream with Gray! The Yellow undertone of Cream becomes more pronounced with Gray and is not aesthetically pleasing.
Color Can Evoke Emotion
Red/Orange affects your Body. It promotes enthusiasm and high-energy.DO: Use these colors in small doses. DON’T: Paint bedrooms Red or Orange. Blue affects your Mind. It has a serene, calming effect. Blues are best used in spaces where you want to promote tranquility, such as a bedroom or bathroom. Classic Blue also happens to be the 2020 Pantone Color of the Year! Yellow affects your Emotions. It’s stimulating and promotes optimism. Because of its cheerfulness, I like Yellow in places that can be sort of dreary, like the kitchen and laundry room. Green represents Balance, as it affects your Body, Mind and Emotions. It inspires creativity, innovation, and reduces eye strain. Green is the most versatile of all the colors and therefore, can be used anywhere.
Color is Best Used as an Accent
Your favorite color might be hot pink, but that doesn’t mean you should paint your whole house that color! Being surrounded by your favorite color might make you happy initially, but only for a short while. Your eyes need to rest and bright colors only stimulate. Instead, decorate your home with hot pink pillows, rugs, and other accents.
AND LASTLY………
Color is an Investment!
According to Marilyn Lewis, painting a 2,500 square foot home can cost approximately $5, 500 for labor and materials. Most painters don’t provide a “Color Consultation” to ensure that color(s) you chose will look good. There are no guarantees or refunds. Someone once told me about hiring professional painters for the exterior of their house; they thought they were getting a beige home with white trim, however, it turned out looking orange with yellow trim! And because it had cost so much, they couldn’t afford to get it repainted. Protect your investment (and sanity) by hiring a Color Consultant. Your neighbors will appreciate it, too!
Connect with Emily Austin
Let’s collaborate! I provide Homeowners with Interior Design knowledge with "hands on" (virtually, of course!) guidance to sell their home faster, arrange their new home for livability, and set up their home office for productivity. I look forward to hearing from you!
— Emily Powers, three-sixty interiors —
threesixtyinteriors.com
emily@threesixtyinteriors.com
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