Colour is an international visual language understood by all so when you’re trying to communicate or transmit something through interior design, there’s no better way to do it than through colour. In order to do that, you need to understand how colours behave, how they change their character and how they influence our mood.
All colours change their character when lightness and saturation are modified so it’s not enough to pick a colour for a certain interior design element because you also need to pick a shade. Light colors are airy and, as a general rule, they make rooms feel larger and brighter. Dark colours are sophisticated and warm and they make rooms feel intimate.
Colours basically behave in three ways. They can be active, passive or neutral. Neutrals include black, gray, white and brown and these colorus are often used to establish balance in a décor that includes both active and passive shades.
An environment can become under stimulated or over stimulated, depending on the colours used. An under stimulated environment features weak intensities of colour and weak or monotonous colour contrasts while an over stimulated setting features highly saturated colours, strong contrasts and/or too many complex visual patterns.
The colours you use in your interior design and décor have an impact on the atmosphere you create and you need to correctly assess what this ambiance should be before you choose the colours. A bedroom, for example, needs to be calming and relaxing. A living room has to be exciting and energizing and so on. When selecting a colour palette for a room, there are several factors to take into consideration. First of all, practicality is important. If you have pets or small children stay away from white and other colours that are difficult to care for.
The colors you pick should either coordinate or contrast. So decide whether you want the décor to be harmonious and relaxing or interesting and dynamic. Be careful when choosing the tones and shades. You need to figure out what colors work where. For example, because orange is an energetic color and yellow is an uplifting and welcoming color, they are both great options for the entrance area. Blue is calming, relaxing and serene and it’s often used in bedrooms and bathrooms. However, if the color is too pale it can become annoying.
This why it is a great idea to bring in colour more into commercials spaces like restaurants, salons etc… as you have to keep up with the trend and have to change décor more frequently in these spaces. You can still use trending colours in your home but more on your soft finishes such as scatter cushions or vases – but of course there are those amazing statement pieces like a sofa that come in blues or greens which can make your space look unique and trendy, but once the trend is over, it’s time for a new one and why not!