Color Perception
Psychological effects of color
Colors have effects on people. They can have a positive influence or create a negative feeling; therefore, it is essential to know how to use the proper colors on each environment.
Alternative therapies such as chromotherapy and Feng Shui use colors to work with people’s and environments’ energies.
Below are the main effects caused by colors:
Transmits a sensation of warmth, dynamism and motivation, in addition to encouraging affectionateness, self-esteem and prosperity. For being too vibrant, it may cause excitement when used in excess.
According to Feng Shui, when used on environments, it tends to stimulate appetite and make people more talkative. Therefore, it must be used with care, otherwise it may motivate fights, discussions, and fits of temper.
Chromotherapists recommend the red for shy people, for it encourages mental activity, renovating courage and will power.
This is a color widely used on kitchens and restaurants, because it stimulates the appetite. It also creates a feeling of expansion, enthusiasm and optimism.
According to Feng Shui professionals, it must be used in places where it is interesting to encourage creativity and communication, such as living rooms and dining rooms.
In Chromotherapy, the orange is used for generating new ideas.
Transmits a feeling of joy, brightness, joviality and liveliness, providing more lighting for dark areas. It also creates a sensation of advance when used on floors.
Just like orange, it also encourages communication and opens the appetite; however, according to Feng Shui experts, its excess may cause worries and accelerate.
When used in Chromotherapy, it acts directly on the mind, encouraging rationality and self-control, as well as strengthening eyes and ears.
A color that provides a feeling of freedom, hope, harmony, satisfaction, and balance.
According to Feng Shui, the green represents the wood element. It is a color recommended for environments where people have health problems, as well as for bathrooms, for it improves the quality of energy. It is not recommended for places where the red prevails.
It is indicated by chromotherapists for tranquilizing the nervous system and the senses, generating balance for mind and body.
Brings liveliness, well-being and relaxation; however, it must be combined with other colors, or the scenery will become monotonous. The darker shades transmit a feeling of authority.
According to Feng Shui, the blue has a tranquilizing effect on environments. In Chromotherapy, it has an aseptic role and reduces stress.
Transmits sensations such as: dignity, nobleness, and purification. Its use is recommended for all environments.
The use of this color according to Feng Shui provides peace and quiet, and also encourages spirituality. Its excess may cause depression and anxiety.
In Chromotherapy, it is a positive color for health, used as a tranquilizer with purifying effects.
It is a color that causes sadness and brings a feeling of mystery, severity, power, and sophistication, depending on how it is applied. It must be used on small details, for creating contrasts.
According to Feng Shui, it has an oppressive, depressive effect. However, chromotherapists consider it as the opposite of light, that is, the total darkness.
A color that brings the feeling of cleanness, purity, innocence and sincerity. Its effect on people may vary; for some people, it provides tranquility; for others, it transmits coldness and indifference.
According to Feng Shui, it is a color that can be used on any environment, as long as it is combined with very colorful furniture and paintings.
In Chromotherapy, white represents God’s light and potentializes the other colors.
