Psychology of colours in the bedroom

Colour can have an astounding effect on perceptions, feelings, and interactions. Different colours evoke different memories and different ideas. In the bedroom, where one is supposed to be most at ease, it is important that you plan out your colour scheme so that it creates the maximum comfort for you.

Psychologists have been studying the effects of colour on people for many years. While they have made many discoveries about colour effects on people in different societies, they have not found any effects that occur across all societies. For instance in China the colour red tends to make people feel calm, while in America red tends to make people more aggressive. This means that the effect of colour on a persons mind is individual and perceptual, rather then being physiological and inherent. In order to choose the right colour for a setting, you will have to get in touch with your inner self, and see which colour you harmonize best with. In the bedroom one tries to achieve maximum relaxation. By choosing the colours that you feel most comfortable with, you will find the greatest contentment with your decor.

Think about the following colours. Think about each one separately. Think about their different shades, how you feel about them, what they invoke in you.

Red. Orange. Yellow. Green. Blue. Violet. Purple. White. Black

Once you have gained insight into how you feel about those colours, you can read about the general effects these colours have on people in American society. Don't be afraid to disagree, your tastes are different from anyone else's, but do keep in mind that the average American that enters the room will feel these effects to some extent.

The two extreme colours are white and black. Black is an attention grabber, and can create a bedroom with a dark, sultry look. Unfortunately it will also make the room look smaller and seem more restrictive. Overuse of the colour black can be dangerous in a room like the bedroom, as it can darken a person's mood. It may even produce night mares. Meanwhile its polar opposite, white, can be uninspiring. Most rooms start off with white walls, and it is the generic look for many homes. It can have a positive and soothing effect on ones emotions, but it may also lead to a lack of stimulation which can be a terrible thing in a bedroom. Whatever ones perceptions however, white is a good colour for warm climates. White reflects light creating cooler temperatures and a breezy feeling.

The earth tones are gentle and will keep a bedroom feeling close and snuggly, as long as you pay attention to the tones you use. These colours include browns, oranges, and yellows. Browns tend to remind Americans of family, and of emotional bonds to each other and the world. Orange is a colour that makes people happy, but is also the colour associated with food and could lead to midnight snacking. Yellow creates a very positive effect on people psychologically, but only short term. Long term exposure to this colour can lead to irritation.

Blues and greens evoke serenity and peace. They are colours associated with nature and the ocean. Using these colours heavily in your bedroom can help to calm the emotions of its inhabitants, and bring restful nights. Blue will also calm cravings for food after you've gone to bed, because there is very little blue food in nature, so our minds tend to repress hunger at its site. Pink is the extreme claming colour and many will find it impossible to act aggressively when surrounded by it. Purple is a nice colour for a bedroom that will make it look more sophisticated.

Red is an exciting colour. If you have trouble falling asleep, don't use red in the bedroom. However, to get a tired relationship going, red may be just the colour you want. Red makes Americans aggressive. It speeds up their metabolism and gives them energy. Red is a good colour for sheets or blankets, because if it becomes too distracting it can be put away until desired.

Combining these colours yields further effects, which are numerous beyond the scope of this article. Remember that shade and tone is important, and will alter these effects. Most importantly, you should have the final say; it is the colours effect on your own mind that is important, and only you can truly understand your own impressions.

Joey Lewitin is an author, artist, and designer of home décor accessories made from imported stone. Original designs from him and other artisans can be seen at Pebblez.com - The Rustic Stone Home Décor Store

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