Did you know that each color has a different meaning and symbolism? While red signifies love, blue signifies peace. Some colors, which are brighter, have more of an effect on a person, as compared to lighter colors.
So whether it is decorating your room, giving a floral bouquet to someone, reading a sign board, buying an item to decorate an office space, whatever may be your purpose, here’s everything you need to know about color psychology and what each color means.
Color Psychology| What Each Color Means
WARM COLORS
Red
Type of color: Primary
Meaning: Red is one of the most powerful colors out there and it is also known to reflect love and positivity, strength, friendship and more., while on the other hand it can reflect survival, fear (danger), warning signs (traffic lights), terror etc.
- Best in: Dining rooms, living rooms, entryways, kitchens, rooms for entertainment
- Worst in: Bedrooms, rooms where you want to relax
Orange
Type of color: Secondary
Meaning: Orange is a secondary color, which means it is a combination of red and yellow. Thus, the color has a powerful energy, of red and a fun and friendly vibe of the yellow shade. It is also a color that symbolizes positivity and motivation.
- Best in: Exercise or play rooms, kitchens, living rooms, dining rooms
- Worst in: Bedrooms, rooms where you want to relax
Yellow
Type of color: Primary
Meaning: Yellow is a color that signifies positivity in terms of optimism, happiness, joy, cheer etc. It is the color of warm (like the sun). It is known to be psychologically one of the easiest colors to be seen visibly. This color is known to boost a person’s confidence and give a person a certain level of balance.
- Best in: Living rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, dining rooms
- Worst in: Bedrooms, nurseries
Pink
Type of color: Tertiary
Meaning: Pink is a soft color and is known to be less intense. It symbolizes compassion, care, love, nurturing and understanding. It is also a color that shows sensitivity and empathy towards another.
- Best in: Offices, bedrooms, nurseries
- Worst in: Living rooms, kitchens, dining rooms
COOL COLORS
Green
Type of color: Secondary
Meaning: Green is a color that signifies balance. It also signifies harmonious living (reflecting peace, rest and life). It is a symbol of growth in any aspect of life – wealth, income or even something as simple as the growth of a plant.
- Best in: Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, spas, bathrooms, screened porches
- Worst in: Playrooms or gyms
Blue
Type of color: Primary
Meaning: Blue is known to be the color of dependability and of trust. It is also a color that is visibly soothing (like the color of the sky). It can help calm a person down. But on the other hand, blue is also known to be a color that perceived as unfriendly, color and distant in some instances.
- Best in: Bedrooms, bathrooms, offices, spas
- Worst in: Playrooms or gyms, kitchens, dining rooms, living rooms
Purple
Type of color: Secondary
Meaning: Purple signifies spirituality, imagination, mystery, courage, loyalty etc. It is known to be a very intriguing color. It can also represent new beginnings.
- Best in: Bedrooms, offices, living rooms
- Worst in: Playrooms or gyms, kitchens, dining rooms
NEUTRALS
Black
Type of color: Doesn’t come under a color type because it’s void of color combinations
Meaning: Black is a rich dark color, but it signifies sophistication. It also signifies control and independence. It also displays luxury and professionalism. On the other hand, the color black even shows death, depression and other negative aspects, for serious events.
- Best in: Any room (as an accent)
White
Type of color: Doesn’t come under a color type because it’s void of color combinations
Meaning: The color white signifies purity and peace. It is also a color that radiates a feeling of cleanliness. White represents a new beginning (like a wedding ceremony), new ideas (like starting off on a blank slate), simplicity etc.
- Best in: Any room
Brown and beige
Type of color: Tertiary
Meaning: Brown may not be a preferred color for everyone because it isn’t visually appealing. But brown signifies protection (like the color of mother earth), structure and security (like the mud to construct buildings) etc. It also symbolizes familial bonds and material possessions.
- Best in: Any room
Gray
Gray is associated with self-restraint or conformism at times, but also sleek sophistication and modern style. It has a calming, unemotional effect.
- Best in: Any room