Filed under Decorating on September 19th, 2008:


How Paint Colors Relate To Emotions

Color and emotions are closely related. Specific colors are known to provoke certain emotions and leave impressions on us whether we notice it or not. Check out the meaning of colors below so you can choose paint colors appropriately for each room of your Tampa apartment:

a picture of an orange apartment kitchen
Photo By: Stian Olsen

Orange is a warm, inviting color. It’s easier on the eyes than yellow, yet it is not as bold as red. Of course, neon orange is not something you want to see on the walls of your apartment, but terracotta orange, melon and orange-browns are appropriate for walls. Like the color red, orange is also known to increase appetites and may be a good color for dining rooms.

Red is typically associated with energy, danger, power, and love. This color has been known to increase blood pressure and raise appetites. Since the color is so strong, it can be unnerving and is best used as an accent. Brown-red shades are more appropriate for walls since they give off a more comforting feel.

Yellow is the hardest color for human eyes to focus on and can cause eye fatigue. While this color is known to make people feel happy and energetic, it is also known to cause people to become angry quicker. Pale shades of yellow are best when painting walls; however, it’s probably not a good idea to paint a nursery yellow since it can cause irritation and frustration among babies.

a picture of a blue apartment bedroom
Photo By: Pinky P

Blue has a soothing quality about it that makes people feel relaxed and comfortable. However, blue has the opposite effect of red in the fact that it suppresses appetites. Since blue is known to evoke relaxation, it is a good color for bedrooms. Blue is also associated with cleanliness and freshness, so it may be a good color for bathrooms.

Green also has the same calming qualities as blue. Neutral shades of green such as olive or sage are more accepted in home decor than shades of aqua or yellow-green. Green is known to increase productivity and concentration and may be a good color for home offices or study rooms.

Brown is a safe, comforting and neutral color. Browns can typically be combined with brighter colors like light blues, pinks, yellows and especially oranges. A medium brown color may be good for walls with accents of brighter colors placed throughout the room.

a picture of a purple apartment living room
Photo By: Nia

Purple is a symbol of royalty, especially deep purple. This can be a bold statement, and sometimes lighter shades of purple like lilac are more popular. Since light purple is seen as a feminine color it might be a good paint color for a young girl’s room. Darker purples or mauves are more mature looking for other portions of the apartment, but are known to evoke feelings of sadness.

Black is often associated with elegance. It can give a classy look to your apartment. Black furniture or accent pieces in a predominantly white room can create a stark, dramatic contrast. However, painting the walls black is not recommended and can cause dark rooms to feel small and depressing.

6 Responses to “How Paint Colors Relate To Emotions”

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  3. beani Says:

    what about pink!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!????????????

  4. jack Says:

    why do people seem to skip white? I realize its not technically a color, but realistically it is and it is pervasive all around us. What do the psychologists/home decorators say about white?

  5. alyssa Says:

    intresting i nrver knew that

  6. Kim Hurley Says:

    Yo. What about white, dogg? Did you forget about that, homeslice? I mean come on, let’s be for reall.

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