29 Dec Color Correct

Color makes a statement. Designers use color to bring character to a space, creating a story where each color combination and contrast play a part. Spaces can become open and soft or intimate and dramatic, all depending on their unique color patterns. From the walls of home offices to the hallways of hospitals, the color of a room has an effect on those who enter.

The psychology of color in design has many cultural and anecdotal variations but many can agree on certain truths. For example, some colors are classified as warm or cool based on the way they affect our depth perception. The human eye adjusts when focusing on colors of different wavelengths. Warmer light waves have a longer wavelength than cooler ones, thus altering our perception of the space. So, when designing a room, cooler colors can be used to make the space feel bigger and warmer colors can make it seem smaller. A combination of warm and cool colors offers a complex visual that alters the depth perception of a room and creates eye catching accent pieces.

Color perception isn’t always so scientific. Sometimes it’s just about the story you want a room to tell. The Sherwin-Williams 2018 Color of the Year is a striking, deep bluish green hue (Oceanside SW 6496) that stands out and elicits various emotional tones depending on where and how it’s used. Its diverse design possibilities make it an extremely popular color around the world. Shades of blue and green are often associated with a calming, serene atmosphere making it a great color for welcoming living spaces and even hospitals.

The next time you redecorate your home or start a new design project, consider how color impacts the space you are arranging. The colors you choose and where you place them will not only change how you see the space, it will also affect how you feel in the space. Though Oceanside SW 6496 is a personal favorite, there are so many different hues to choose from. What’s your favorite color? And how will you design with it in 2018?