Color can influence emotions; use it to your home’s—and your mood’s—advantage.
GETTING STARTED
“Favorite colors are one of the first questions we ask a new client,” Binger says. “And then we ask them why it is favorite—do they like it because it’s uplifting? Brings a feeling of peace? Does it recall their childhood kitchen? Is it associated with happy memories?”
Emily Janak, founder of Emily Janak Interiors, also wants to know clients’ favorite colors and likes to then figure out where in a project there will be color. “Throughout a house, you need punches of color and spaces that are a neutral pause,” she says. “Once we’ve decided that the butler’s pantry or a powder room is going to be really special, we look for an inspiration piece that gets us excited about the space. More often than not, it is a textile.” Artwork, a fabulous piece of furniture, or wallpaper can also make for a great starting point.
If living with color is something that comes naturally to you, you can also work in the opposite direction and pick out the spaces and rooms that will be your home’s neutral pauses. “Even if you’re a color enthusiast, you want some tranquil spaces where you can tuck away and be quiet,” Binger says. “These spaces are as crucial as ones that evoke motivation and joy.”
COLOR THERAPY
Several ancient cultures, including the Egyptians, Chinese, and Indians, practiced chromotherapy, the use of colors to heal. Egyptians had sun-filled rooms where people would spend time wearing colored glasses for therapeutic purposes. In Indian Ayurvedic medicine, it is believed that the application of certain colors can correct imbalances in our body’s chakras. Today in Western medicine, chromotherapy is considered an alternative treatment; there is no significant evidence that it is effective for any medical condition. However, it is anecdotally purported to provide both physical and mental benefits that range from stress and anxiety relief to lowering high blood pressure.
Red might energize or invigorate, but it can also trigger people who are tense.
Yellow can improve mood and happiness and make you feel more optimistic.
Darker shades of blue might have sedative properties and be useful for people who experience insomnia or other sleeping disorders.
Green might help relieve stress and relax a person.
Orange, like yellow, might elicit happy emotions; it might also stimulate appetite and mental activity.
In this day and age, I think some people are terrified of color, but I find that it is a way to tell a story, show personality, and create comfort.
—Emily Janak, Founder of Emily Janak Interiors
GREEN // Associated traits: steadiness, optimism, practicality, balance
Different Things to Different People
Colors are very personal. Colors on the warm side of the color spectrum—reds, oranges, and yellows—can evoke emotions ranging from comfort to anger and hostility. Colors on the cool side of the spectrum—blue, purple, and green—can be calming, but can also inspire feelings of indifference or sadness. “If it were up to me, I would always include green in a space,” Janak says. “Green is my favorite color, and I love that it is everywhere in nature, but green just doesn’t work for some people.” Binger, who personally is drawn to blues and greens and finds these hues calming, says it is important to her to know her clients because “what resonates with them—especially colors—might be different than what resonates with me. Some people might find that blue makes them feel a bit melancholy.”
Personal preference should not only dictate the colors of your pops of color, but also of your neutrals. Because blues and greens are soothing to Binger, they can actually function as neutral colors in her home. Janak says rich browns can sometimes work as “an elegant neutral” but also doesn’t shy away from more traditional neutral shades. “I don’t like whole houses that are white and all the upholstery is grey, but you can do these shades with pops of color,” she says.
If you’re feeling color-curious but aren’t ready to paint walls or invest in colorful window treatments, start with small things, like pillows on a sofa or seat cushions on dining chairs.
—Kate Binger,
Founder of Dwelling Interiors
THE END GOAL
Binger’s goal with color is to balance energy so that a home is equally mentally and physically inspiring, exciting, and calm. “Your colors should match your heart vibe,” Binger says. “If they do that, they can promote healthy and happy living in your home.” Janak says, “I think that designing interiors is about creating spaces that make people feel comfortable. Whether a space is invigorating or peaceful, it should always be comfortable. And color is a big part of that.”
The 60-30-10 Rule
The 60-30-10 rule is an idea that allows designers to easily pull together a balanced color scheme, regardless of the interior design style. The main color used in a room—often seen on the largest space—should cover 60 percent of the room. This color anchors the room and is a backdrop for the 30 color, which, as the number suggests, should be used half as much as the main color. You might use your 30 color on a feature wall, area rugs, upholstery, or window treatments. Your accent color should be in 10 percent of the room, whether in cushions, decorative objects, throws, lighting, or artwork.
Of course, this rule is not set in stone. If you feel like breaking it, a good place to start is to introduce one additional “10” element in a color that complements your existing three colors.
Above, cream is the 60 color, brown the 30, and blue the 10.
