Color Psychology and Theory in Interior Design – How Colors Affect Mood and Space

Color theory

When it comes to colors, there is much more than meets the eye. You might be familiar with the color wheel but can you spot the difference between a tint and a shade? When creating a coherent interior, the knowledge about color theory and how colors “are made” can become very handy. Let’s see!

What are colors and how do they fit in the color wheel?

In color studies, "color" refers to the visual perception resulting from the way an object reflects or emits light. In the color wheel there are 3 types of colors:

Primary Colors: Red, blue, and yellow. These are the foundational colors that cannot be created by mixing other colors.

Secondary Colors: Green, orange, and purple. These are made by mixing two primary colors.

Tertiary Colors: These colors are made by mixing a primary color with a secondary color, such as red-orange or blue-green.

What are hues?

Hues are the foundation of all other colors. When we talk about a hue, we are referring to the color itself without any additions of black, white, or gray. Hues are what you see on the color wheel in their most basic, unaltered form.

What are tones?

A tone is created when gray is added to a hue, resulting in a more subdued version of the original color.

What are tints?

A tint is created by adding white to a hue, which lightens the color.

What are shades?

A shade is created by adding black to a hue, making it darker. This results in a deeper, richer version of the color.

What is saturation?

Saturation refers to the intensity or purity of a color. A highly saturated color is vivid and bright, while a less saturated color appears more muted or washed out.

What is value?

Value means how dark or light the color is.

How to use color theory in interior design?

The knowledge of color theory can help you create coherent and balanced interiors. You will know how to pair colors so they look harmonious and pleasant together, how to use colors to create more space or conceal small defects, and how to bring out the desired mood just with a pillow or throw in the right color.

Color schemes

Color schemes are groups of colors that work well together. By learning more about color schemes you can predict what feeling or vibe to expect when pairing certain colors.

Monochromatic Scheme

In this scheme, different shades, tints, and tones of a single hue are used. This creates a cohesive, harmonious look. For example, a room with various shades of blue can feel serene and unified.

Wallpaper examples: Blueberry Dream, Acorn X William Morris, Flamingo Love

Analogous Scheme

The analogous scheme combines hues that are next to each other on the color wheel, for example, blue and green or red and orange. This creates a harmonious, naturally pleasing look.

Wallpaper examples: Strawberry Fun, Earthy Ripples of Color Mural, Ripples of Color Mural

Complementary Scheme

When using the complementary scheme, you will pair hues that are opposite each other on the color wheel, for example, blue and orange or red and green. This creates a vibrant contrast and a bold, lively environment.

Wallpaper examples: Branch of Strelitzia and Birds and Flowers

Triadic Scheme

In this scheme, three hues that are evenly spaced on the color wheel are used, for example, red, yellow, and blue. This creates a balanced yet colorful design.

Wallpaper examples: Tropic Fish and Japanese Floral

Tones of colors

To make colors look and feel good together you definitely need to take into account the undertone, for example, warm or cold tones. Aside from that there are other popular tone schemes like muted tones and pastel tones.

Warm undertones

Color will have a warm undertone if it is mixed with a little bit of red, yellow, or orange. It is possible to add a warm glow even to cool colors like blue. A warm undertone will make the colors feel lighter and warmer.

Cold tones

To add a cold undertone to a color, you have to mix it with the blue. It will give the color a crisp, clean, and bright look. It is possible to add a cold undertone even to the most warm color – red. The red with a blue undertone will feel a little bit more cold and it will have a hint of purple.

Muted tones

To create a muted tone, you need to add gray to the base color. It will create a tone that feels more earthy, warm, and natural. Earth tones like burnt orange, clay, moss green, and so on are muted tones. A lot of neutral are also muted tones.

Pastel tones

Pastel tones are created when white is added to colors in order to make them feel soft, light, and unsaturated. Because of the way they are created, all pastel tones go very well together no matter their location in the color wheel.

Applying the 60-30-10 Rule

When using colors in interior decor, it can be useful to follow the 60-30-10 rule. It means you use 3 base colors in the proportions 60-30-10. To have a more layered look feel free to use different tints and shades of these colors but try to stay in the same tone family.

• 60% Dominant Color: This is usually the color of the walls and large areas, setting the room’s overall mood.
• 30% Secondary Color: Used in upholstery, curtains, or feature walls, complementing the dominant color.
• 10% Accent Color: Introduced through accessories, artwork, or smaller furniture pieces to add contrast and interest.

Color Psychology

Color psychology is a field of study that explores how different colors and shades impact a person’s emotional and physical state. When talking about different colors, very important is to keep in mind cultural background and personal associations. Because color perception is so intimate and personal, it is not so easy to determine just one way how a person may react to a color.

That said, there are some feelings and emotions that are associated with certain colors. You can use this as a guide when thinking of the interior you want to create.

Red color in interior design

Red has always been a bold and passionate color. Red is the color of love in Western culture, the color of luck and joy in China, and the color of power in India.

It is an energizing and stimulating choice that is best suited for areas that are meant for some activity, for example, hallway, living room, and dining room. Also pay attention to the tone of the red – darker tones will feel more serious and even calming, while bright tones will attract attention and bring heart rate up.

In interior design, red is best used as an accent color, because head-to-toe read interiors can get overwhelming and hard to be in.

Excited about red? Here are some cute red wallpaper options!

Abstract Ditsy, Very Cherry, Japanese Cherry, Coral Zebras, Ruby Summer

Yellow color in interior design

Yellow is a bright and happy color that is associated with bringing joy and a sunny mood. It is quite a stimulating color so it is best to use it in areas that are not meant for deep relaxation. Perfect rooms for yellow tones are the living room, kitchen, dining room, bathroom, and hallways.

Bright yellow tones are perfect as accent colors, however, pastel yellows can be a great base for a soft, feminine, and gentle living space.

Check out these sunny and sweet yellow wallpaper options!

Spring Flowers, Dots and Shapes, Magnolias in The Sun, Banana Split, Fresh Lemonade

Green color in interior design

Green as the color of nature has a soothing effect on people. It is associated with balance and harmony, serenity and peace. Green is a perfect color for those who love the outdoors and nature.

Subtle and dark tones like earth green or moss green are used in calm and relaxing spaces like the bathroom or bedroom. It is also a good color for the living room. Some greens have a lot of yellow undertones and bright hues – those will be much more stimulating and energizing and have properties more similar to yellow tones.

Here are some mesmerizing green wallpaper for nature lovers and more!

Tropic Elegance, Fern Herbarium, Sage Acorn X William Morris, Fine Eucalpytus, Earthy Ripples of Color Mural

Blue color in interior design

Blue is a very soothing color. Some studies even show that the blue color can bring down the heart rate which can be helpful when trying to relax and find peace. Blue also represents two very major elements of nature – water and sky.

Blue color is perfect for a room where relaxation takes place, for example, the bathroom and the bedroom. It can also be a good color for the living room. Since blue is a cool color, too much of it can create an unwelcoming atmosphere, so it is best to use it in combination with other colors.

Excited about blue tones? Here are some amazing blue wallpapers!

Dark Garden, Birds and The Sky, Wavy Blue, Blue Jellyfish, Blue Foliage, Bright Waves

White color in interior design

White is a sterile and clean color. White color can be bright and light, and create a very decluttered, simple atmosphere. However, too much white tends to feel cold and unwelcoming so it is best to mix it with other colors.

In Western culture, it represents purity and cleanliness whereas in Chinese tradition white was the color of death.

White is a perfect color for the kitchen, bathroom, and hallways. It will bring in more light and have a clean atmosphere.

Curious about the white color? Check out these white wallpapers!

White Brick, Old Sport, Unique Lines, Line Elegance

Black color in interior design

Black is a dark color that used to be associated with depressive emotions. However, nowadays black is perceived as elegant and luxurious, especially when paired with precious metals like gold or silver.

Black is a great color for rooms that get to be used in small doses, for example, bathrooms or some hallways. As an accent color, it can be perfect in the bedroom and kitchen.

Intrigued by the black? Check out these black wallpapers!

Dark Luxury, Gallant Duke, Leaves and Flowers, Geometrical Luxury, Wavy Patterns

In conclusion

At first, it is useful to master the rules of color theory. It will help you in creating coherent and harmonious interior designs. However, once you have grasped the basic concepts – it can be fun to explore unusual color combinations to create the right vibe for your space.