The Psychology of Color: What Your Living Room Says About You

Have you ever wondered why so many horror movies use red in their titles? One reason behind this color choice can be found in color psychology, a branch of psychology that investigates how and why color has the power to evoke emotions and feelings.

Research shows that our brains assign meaning to colors. "The human eye perceives color as a stimulus in the form of light, and the brain further processes that perception, resulting in feelings and emotions being evoked" (Billmeyer & Saltzman, 1981, as cited in Yildirim et al., 2011). Studies have concluded that "red is associated with strong emotions, symbolizing both danger and passion" (Enwin et al., 2023).

Since danger and intense emotions are exactly what we expect from a horror movie, it's no surprise that red is a popular choice to add impact to horror movie titles.

This also raises an interesting question: how much meaning would we lose if we suddenly lost the ability to perceive color? We're constantly surrounded by color, and since colors can influence how we feel, it’s important to choose the colors of our rooms, furniture, and surroundings carefully. Identifying how different colors affect us could help improve how we feel and perform in our daily lives—whether at home, school, or work.

A research experiment conducted by Yildirim et al. (2011) divided participants into two groups and showed them photos of living rooms with identical layouts but different color schemes. Participants were asked to evaluate the rooms using a provided scale. The study found that warm-colored rooms were "associated with higher arousal, evoking more stimulating and exciting emotions compared to cool and achromatic colors" (Yildirim et al., 2011). On the other hand, cool colors "are thought to produce feelings of spaciousness, restfulness, calm, and peacefulness compared to warmer colors" (Yildirim et al., 2011).

This experiment provides clear evidence of how color affects people’s perception of a space. Being aware of this raises an important question: what colors should we surround ourselves with?

Fortunately, research offers some guidance. Ćurčić et al. (2019) suggest considering the purpose of the space, the climate, and the room's orientation when selecting colors. Some colors are better suited to certain conditions. For example, "Colors can also influence the perception of temperature, with cool colors creating a sense of freshness and warm colors generating a cozy atmosphere" (Enwin et al., 2023). Ćurčić et al. (2019) explain, "Warm colors are more acceptable in cooler climates, while cool tones are more used in hot climate areas."

As mentioned earlier, the purpose of the space should also guide color choices. Not only can coordinating colors with furniture and accessories add personality to a room (Ghai et al., 2022), but some colors are also more suitable for specific rooms. For instance, “Neutral colors with accent colors are commonly used to create a sense of activity and energy inside these spaces” (Gregory, 2014, as cited in Ghai et al., 2022).

Even though we rarely paint rooms in a single color, it’s helpful to be aware of the emotions warm and cool colors may evoke. "Warm colors induce positive, attracting, or approaching emotional reactions, whereas cool colors encourage negative, soothing, or distant emotional reactions, according to psychological literature" (Ghai et al., 2022).

Color is more than just decoration—it’s a powerful psychological tool that shapes how we feel, behave, and interpret the world around us. From the bold red used in horror movie titles to the calming blues in peaceful interiors, every color carries emotional weight. By understanding the effects of color and applying this knowledge to our living and working spaces, we can create environments that not only reflect our personality but also support our mood, focus, and well-being. So next time you choose a paint color or decorate a room, remember: you're not just picking a shade—you’re shaping an experience.

Sources

Ćurčić, A. A., Keković, A., Ranđelović, D., & Momčilović-Petronijević, A. (2019). EFFECTS OF COLOR IN INTERIOR DESIGN. Zbornik Radova Građevinskog Fakulteta, 35, 867–877. https://doi.org/10.14415/konferencijagfs2019.080

Enwin, A. D., Ikiriko, T. D., & Jonathan-Ihua, G. O. (2023). The Role of Colours in Interior Design of Liveable Spaces. European Journal of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, 1(4), 242–262. https://doi.org/10.59324/ejtas.2023.1(4).25

Ghai, A., Ghai, S., & Mittal, A. (2022). Perceived impact of colors in interiors and architecture. ECS Transactions, 107(1), 10895–10902. https://doi.org/10.1149/10701.10895ecst

Yildirim, K., Hidayetoglu, M. L., & Capanoglu, A. (2011). Effects of interior colors on mood and preference: Comparisons of two living rooms. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 112(2), 509–524. https://doi.org/10.2466/24.27.pms.112.2.509-524