While the psychological aspects of color is a much debated subject as colors can mean greatly different things to different people. As such hear are the more general associations to color.
Primary colors will encourage stronger reactions.
Monochromes easily show defects and dust.
Beiges are referred to as designer neutrals. They de-emphasize defects and dust. Generally considered warm and comfortable.
Metallics hide dust very well. They also add to the sensation of weight. Very light metallic objects are associated with cheapness. Metallics that show signs of oxidation are accepted as real.
Commonly persons younger than 20 will show opposite reactions to Browns, Whites and Blacks.
Shiny finishes tend to clean better, but emphasize defects extremely well.
Matte finishes tend to clean moderately to poorly, but strongly hide defects.
Bright colors tend to share colors better than dark colors.
White and Black are associated with technology more than any other colors.
Color can directly affect the pituitary and pineal glands as well as the hypothalamus.
People directly associate surrounding color to their willingness to eat foods of certain coloring.
Color effects are culturally dependent, but not race dependent.
People that are hot/warm prefer cool colors and cold/cool prefer warm coolers.
Men tend to prefer cool colors, and women tend to prefer warm colors.
Children tend to change their color preferences, adults rarely do.
Colors are highly reactive to lighting and shade.
Color is one of the strongest factors in interactions lasting less than 90 seconds.
Black
It is commonly related to evil and power.
Associated with unhappiness, sexuality and formality.
Field: Tends to be a poor choice for field colors as easily shows defects easily. Black tends to
emphasize the smallness of small spaces and the largeness of large spaces.
Accent: Will emphasize dark colors and highlight light colors.
Trim: Can lend an emphasis a sense of sophistication. Will create the sense of shadows.
Blacks and other dark colors do tend to retain heat better than other colors. Black is considered slimming. People report black objects heavier than similar objects of different colors. People tend to spend less time looking at objects the darker they appear. Black can convey mystery or the unknown. Black tends convey a sense of cost/price.
White
It is commonly related to cold, bland, sterile and technological surfaces.
Associated with emptiness, purity, sterility, separation and newness.
Field: Can be considered cheap paint. Easily shows defects. Will emphasize the size of the area.
Accent: Can seem light emitting near darker colors. Will lighten lighter colors and highlight darker colors.
Trim: Can lend an emphasis a sense of cleanliness. Will minimize the sense of shadows.
Unless stark white is wished the color is tempered with other colors to reduce the intensity of the color. As white tends to more readily reflect light it also takes on hues of color around it. White tends to reduce the warmth of surrounding colors. People tend to avoid touching white objects.
Red
It is commonly related to love, warmth and wrath.
Associated with charm, luck, intensity, confidence, danger and royalty.
Field: Tends to be a poor field color choice as it is a very strong color. Hides defects moderately well. Best used for themed environments.
Accent: Very strong accent. People interacting with the space will have a strong reaction to the space by emphasizing their feelings.
Trim: Works well as an intensifying color.
This color has been noted in increasing appetite. Light red is associated with feminine. Researchers have noted people identify strong red objects as closer in distance than other objects of equal distance. People accept the passage of time easier in red environments. Very light reds have a soothing effect on people. Large amounts of light red is draining among males. People are more willing to converse in red environments. People tend to move faster in red environments.
Blue
It is commonly related to calmness and openness.
Associated with relaxation, water, sky, softness, intellectual and cool temperatures.
Field: Strong field color. Will emphasize window views and awareness of temperature. Darker blues associate with French interiors. Lighter blues associate with country interiors. Moderately hides dust.
Accent: Very strong accent. People interacting with the space will have a calming reaction to the space.
Trim: Works well as an intensifying color.
This color has been noted in people reporting cooler temperatures and feelings of relaxation. Evidence has shown that suicides occur less often in blue colored environments. Researchers have noted people identify strong blue objects as farther in distance than other objects of equal distance. People tend to communicate better in blue environments. People in blue environments tend to have lower blood pressure. Large areas of dark blue can be depressing. People experience less insomnia in light blue environments. Crime occurs less in blue lite environments. People associate dark blue with a sense of security and protection. People tend to move slower in blue environments.
Green
It is commonly related to nature and wealth.
Associated with health luck, jealousy and peace.
Field: Excellent field color when mixed with browns, white and/or black. Hides dust and defects well.
Accent: Excellent accent color. Works well with any brown or blue color scheme.
Trim: Limited use as a trim color, except for lighter shades. Generally only used as a trim with early 19th century schemes.
This color has similar calming effects as blue. People in green colored environments show less gastrointestinal aliments than in other colors. Pale greens tend to allow quicker recovery from eye strain when caused by light colors such as white or yellow. People tend to breathe deeper and slower in green environments.
Grey green is generally noted as an uncomfortable color described as slimy, oily or sickly. Green used in shadows tends to increase boredom and blandness in food.
Yellow
It is commonly related to brightness and warmth.
Associated with cheeriness, outdoors, happiness, and youthfulness.
Field: Excellent field color when tempered with other colors. Emphasizes dust and defects.
Accent: Useful as a focal point as it will draw the eye the stronger the yellow.
Trim: Paler yellows will work well. Similar to white trims.
It is noted that yellow is the most visible color when compared to other colors at similar values. Yellow will cause eye strain quicker than any other color of similar value. People have been noted as getting angry or losing their tempers quicker in strong yellow environments. People tend to be more optimistic in lighter yellow environments. Dull yellow environments has been shown to emphasis fear. Light yellow rooms are associated with outdoors. Babies are most likely to cry in yellow rooms.
Purple
It is commonly related to royalty and wealth.
Associated with rarity, wisdom, importance and spirituality.
Field: Any shade of purple is a bold color. Moderately hides dust. Moderately emphasizes defects.
Accent: Used in emphasizing the location it is used upon.
Trim: Tends to add a femininity to its usage.
Dark purples stand out. Light purples are seen as feminine. Environment with purple and orange tend to encourage people to move to another location after a short time without causing discomfort. Researchers report that sunburns heal quicker in purple environments. People in trauma or suffering from mental instability find it easier to stay calm in purple environments. Anesthesia tends to work better on people in purple environments. Purple can convey a sense of depth more than any colors except blue and black.
Light purples with dark non-purples tends to cause discomfort. Purples with metallic are associated with artificiality more than any other combination.
Brown/Beige
It is commonly related to strength, comfort and warmth.
Associated with safety, belongingness, groundedness, natural and neutrality.
Field: Most used field color other than white. Excellent use throughout lighter range and much of the darker range. Hides dust and defects very well.
Accent: Good use as an opposition ie light to dark or vice versa.
Trim: Lends a degree of solidness.
Noted as one of the most common wall colors. Least likely color to generate negative reactions. Light to medium browns tend to be the most popular. Dark browns tend to convey seriousness. Brown convey weight and earthiness.
Orange
It is commonly related to excitement and warmth.
Associated with attention youthfulness and health.
Field: This color works well as an exterior color. Darker or browner shades look earthy.
Accent: Brighter shades will attract the eye. Use for emphasis.
Trim: Use sparingly. Best used as a trim of other oranges or browns.
This color has been noted as increasing appetites. Orange is one of the easiest colors to see. Orange has been noted as encouraging frustration in people. People tend to avoid warm orange and black environments. Orange environments have been related to strengthen of the immune system. When entering an orange environment people have been shown to be more likely to forgive or empathize with others. People with depression feel better in orange environments.
Grey
It is commonly related to solidness and permanence.
Associated with age, neutrality and blandness.
Field: Darker shades are strong, lighter shade convey comfort. Greys will take on surrounding colors.
Accent: Very good as a separation color that works with any other color provided it is of similar intensity.
Trim: Greys work well at emphasizing the lightness or darkness of surrounding colors.
People are noted as less willing to interact in grey environments. People identify grey as lonely or independent.
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