The Power of Color
This is part of a series of blogs focused on color.
Color is a powerful tool to evoke emotion, influence mood and behaviors. With so much at stake, it’s no wonder that we put so much thought and research into carefully curating our new, expanded PET color offerings. Through our color posts, we hope to inform, entertain and become part of beautiful, future design projects.
The Power of Color
Color is a powerful tool that influences our emotions, behaviors, and perceptions. When used purposefully in commercial interiors, color can impact experiences within these spaces. From creating a calming atmosphere to enhancing productivity, the choice of color is an integral part of the design process to deliver desired outcomes.
Color Psych
Understanding the psychological nuances of color empowers us to make intentional choices that align with design goals. Color psychology is often described as “the study of hues as a determinant of human behavior.” The way color affects human moods and behavior has a history going back to ancient Egypt where people used color for influence and holistic benefits. Blue was thought to soothe pain, orange increased energy, red helped circulation, etc.
The study of color expanded with the development of modern psychology. Swiss psychologist Carl Jung, for example, defined the four temperaments in terms of colors: sunshine yellow, earth green, cool blue, and fiery red. With this refined understanding of how people are affected by colors, color psychology has been integrated into interior and architectural design for decades.
When using color for interior design, the process often starts with the use of a color wheel. The standard color wheel includes:
Complementary Colors – These hues are directly opposite each other on the color wheel, like blue and orange or yellow and violet. Complementary colors are usually used as accent colors in small quantities.
Triads – Triads form a triangle on the color wheel, like yellow, blue, and red or orange, green, and violet. When used as accent colors, these tones work best when balanced. Otherwise, they can overwhelm a room.
Analogous Colors – These are groups of colors that are right beside each other on the color wheel; red, orange, and red/orange are examples.
Monochromatic Colors – Single colors illustrated in a range of shades from dark to light, like navy to powder blue.
Cool and Warm Colors – Cool and warm colors are typically used to create a mood in an interior. Cool colors include purples, greens, and blues, while warm colors yellows, oranges, pinks, and reds.
Non-Colors – Non-colors are a bit of a misnomer, but they are often considered shades. They aren’t found on the color wheel but play a critical role in interior design as they are often used as the base that is built upon for a cohesive design. Non-colors include black, whites, beiges, browns, and grays (trendy and beloved in today’s interiors).
Put it Into Practice
Fräsch’s new expanded color catalog is complete with tones that match moods and themes for any interior. Contact a rep today for assistance in receiving a color sample box and/or starting an interior project