This article is an extract from Hutch's new 'Sustainable Homes' zine, you can read the full article with all 9 colours by downloading the zine here.
Colours have a huge impact on how we feel, think and act. As the hues of walls, furniture and furnishings are a central element to any home, colours can be used in a powerful way to cultivate the mood or feeling of a space.
'Colour psychology' originated with psychologist Angela Wright, who wrote The Beginner's Guide to Colour Psychology in 1995. Beyond asking ourselves what colours we like and which work well together, Wright's work can help us address how we want a room to feel and what purpose the room will serve.
Red
Red is one of the most powerful colours in the wheel, symbolising the extremes of our emotions; from passion and anger to fortune and celebration. Red was popular in homes during the Victorian era and can still provide a cheering splash of colour.
It is best to use this in rooms where you want stimulation and conversation, rather than spaces of rest. Farrow & Ball recommend using red in a dining room as it adds drama and weight, or use pops of it in the kitchen or living rooms.
Credits: Farrow & Ball - Picture Gallery Red No. 42, Incarnadine No. 248, Radicchio No. 96 & Pooky Lighting
Orange
Associated with companionship and laughter, orange is feel-good. It is also often used to communicate value and approachability, which would explain why it is often used in branding and logos (from EasyJet to Sainsbury's).
The association of colour can vary depending on where you find yourself in the world, too. In Hindu culture, saffron is a sacred and auspicious shade; for the Dutch, orange is the colour of their national family; and in the U.S., it is often associated with prisons.
When used in interiors, orange can make a room feel warmer. If you want to tone it down, it's best paired with black or dark blues, its opposite on the colour wheel.
Credits: Farrow & Ball - Dutch Orange No. W76, Charlotte's Locks No. 268
Pink
Pink is red's softer sister and has become increasingly popular in interiors. It has a gentler feel and is often used in calming spaces such as bedrooms.
According to Kate Watson-Smyth's recent book Mad About the House (which, fittingly, has a pink cover), a Swiss prison painted 30 cells pink in 2013. It was reported that anger levels were reduced within 15 minutes, showing the power of this quieter colour. Yet a brighter pink can still have a stimulating impact, evoking a playful and joyful feel.
Credits: Farrow & Ball - Sulking Room Pink No. 295, Pink Ground No.202, Dead Salmon No. 28 , Nancy's Blushes No. 278
This article is an extract from Hutch's new 'Sustainable Homes' zine, you can read the full article with all 9 colours by downloading the zine here.