We are surrounded by colour, and various shades and light. And every tone has an effect on our moods; each colour has a meaning and intertwines with our minds. There is nothing random in this world. Have you noticed the days that you positively want to wear black, and then days you want to add colour to your life and spice it up a little by throwing on a purple shirt, a lime green tie, or an enigmatic dark red evening dress. You choose the colours of your wardrobe according to your mood and change them as often as you like, but you cannot change the colours of a room as easily. When you start decorating rooms, it’s very important that you choose the right colours.
Designers rely on using a colour wheel to choose colours and tones that match. There are active colours (for example, red, yellow and orange), passive colours (blue, green and purple) and neutral colours (white, black, gray, beige and brown), and it’s important that you are aware of how each of these colour groups will affect the mood of a room. For example, warm colours tend to stand out; neutrals, as the word suggests, don’t excite the senses, and passive colors calm the atmosphere.
You are able to find a way to balance the tones, aiming to result in the mood you are seeking. When you want a room full of energy, use orange; for passion, red is the answer. If you are decorating for people to chill, use tones of blue. So now let’s see what each colour means, as colours are not given the same meaning all over the world.
Red is, for many, the colour of romantic love, for example a red rose, a red box of chocolates on Valentines Day, or the familiar red heart, but in South Africa red symbolises mourning. Red is also the most common colour found in national flags. That is because in days past flags were proudly used on the battlefield and red gave the signal for battle and the willingness to shed blood. Red also means good luck in China, where it is used as a wedding colour. If you wish to use red, then creating an interior decoration with a Chinese theme is the perfect choice.
Green is the colour of tranquility. It is found everywhere in the natural world, and it rejuvenates and uplifts. In ancient times green was the colour of honour and victory. In Ireland, it is the colour of good luck.
Blue is a common colour used in interior decoration, because it relaxes and refreshes, and offers a feeling of safety. If you choose blue for your home, you can’t go wrong, however blue is a cold colour, so it needs to be balanced by accenting with orange or yellow.
Purple is considered the royal color. This is because in ancient times purple dyes were extremely rare. This is also the colour of inspiration, so if you are creative, purple additions to a room might stimulate your mind. Because purple is believed to help kids develop imagination, it is often used to decorate their rooms.
Yellow and orange -need we say that they are the warm colours! They are reminiscent of the sun and tropical fruits. Both have a good impact, however, be careful of how you use orange and yellow in decorating, as they both stand out and can tend to overshadow the room.
Black and white are neutral. Both have symbolised mourning in different civilizations, but then almost every colour has symbolised mourning: red for South Africans, blue for Iranians, purple for women in Thailand, yellow for Egyptians, white for Chinese and Japanese, black for Europeans and Americans. However, black and white are each very classic colours, white symbolising purity, kindness, peace and loyalty, and, while you should not paint your walls black, you could choose to use black as a feature on a wall or panel, or use black furniture to give your interior a feeling of opulence and strength.
If you’re looking for a colour consultant in Brisbane, contact Creating with Colour. This Brisbane paint colour consultant will help you choose a colour scheme to match your mood, style and the building’s personality.
