Colour Psychology in Interior Design

Since launching her interior design firm in 1998, American designer Amanda Nisbet has developed an esteemed reputation for her use of bold colour in her projects. “Using colour is not necessarily for the faint of heart, but its ability to singularly and definitively create an experience makes it one of the most important and valuable tools in interior design,” says the designer, “I respond intuitively to the use of strong colour and appreciate the visceral response people have upon walking into a colourful room. I love the idea of total immersion in a singular pigment. To me, this idea of creating a cocoon of colour can elicit a multitude of emotions from relaxation to passion.”

Whether you’re looking to add occasional bursts of colour or decorate your entire room from top to bottom, discover the emotive effects of colour psychology in interior design in our round-up of colourful projects.

Its tones are comforting making it a favourite for bedrooms, but it can easily be transferred to living room schemes if executed well.

Give the colour a chance at adult life by opting for refreshing patterns and classic yet fuss-free furniture shapes like in this living room by LuxDeco 100 designer Peter Mikic.

It’s a proven accent colour but when used heavily in a room scheme, the psychology of this colour results in power, drama and mystery.

What’s to love most about the dark shade? Black excels in modern and industrial settings yet it never dates so it offers a contemporary appeal to even traditional spaces—case in point, this dramatic yet refined space by Greg Natale. Put a timeless spell on a room with crisp furniture arrangements, precise architectural details and modern upholstery.

It carries a regal charm and also suggests luxury, which enables the tone to bring real presence to a space. Think about using it in a dressing room to create a truly special getting-ready destination or let it take over your entrance hallway to impress guests at the first opportunity.

Like so many bright tones, it can be tricky to make work in a room from top to bottom, but statement yellow furniture and bold yellow accessories make for beautiful styling.

Stick with golden shades and utilise the colour in darkened areas of your home to bring a feeling of light and space into action.

The hue comes in a variety of attractive shades, ranging from emerald and jade to olive and lime. It makes an ideal wall colour in spaces where you need to open your mind such as kitchens and home studies, and, as it’s closely linked to money, it’s a sensible choice for business properties.

It’s also said to stir a feeling of calm and composure—a quality that’s ideal for family homes with excitable little ones. As with any colour, the results depend largely on how you make use of the hue. It can be soft and delicate or strong and confident where walls are awash with a matte block grey, which dominates the room and acts as a sharp contrast against a white ceiling and skirting board, whilst a velvet grey sofa can display the hue in a softer focus.

Ambition, action and will power are additional qualities attached to the primary hue and that’s why red can be a productive choice for home offices and creative spaces.

The colour is not only powerful in its most basic form in interior design psychology, but also boasts many beautiful sister shades including tomato red, crimson and burgundy. Whether you want to channel a rich, traditional aesthetic or a pop-art feel, red can provide a solution.

The neutral hue is also said to be a symbol of structure, support and stability. As a result, the shade lends itself well to areas such as kitchens, providing a tasteful and timeless canvas for family gatherings.

It can be super-luxe but also can work effectively in rugged, masculine environments as so many naturals materials, such as wood and stone, work a brown palette.