Colour psychology for designers
Do you think about how colour will make your clients feel in their space?
Different spaces serve different functions and colour can help set the appropriate mood. For example a restaurant might opt for warmer hues to encourage social interaction and appetite, while a spa would be better with cooler colours for a calming environment.
Understanding the psychological effects of colour will help you create spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also provide a better experience for the end user.
Here’s a quick starter pack of a few different colours and the moods they create.
Neutrals
Neutrals are often associated with warm, natural, comforting, timeless and earthy attributes. They can be versatile and fit into almost any design, providing a balanced backdrop that allows other elements to shine. Use them to create a sense of calm and stability.
Blue
Blue is often associated with tranquillity and calmness. It's reflective, peaceful and gentle characteristics make it an excellent choice for designs aimed at creating a relaxing and serene atmosphere. Use it to evoke a sense of trust and reliability.
Pink
Pink is often seen as a feminine and youthful colour. Its playful, nurturing and soft nature makes it great for designs related to cosmetics, fashion or design where you want to communicate a sense of fun. Use it to add a touch of playfulness to your designs.
Yellow
Yellow, with its joyful, uplifting, optimistic, energetic and fun characteristics, can bring a sense of happiness and positivity to your designs. It's great for grabbing attention and making a bold statement. Use it to give energy to your designs.
Navy Blue
Navy blue is timeless, formal, elegant, classic and refined. It communicates a sense of professionalism and trustworthiness, making it a popular choice for corporate and business designs. Use it to convey a sense of authority and stability - especially in commercial design projects.
Green
Green is associated with cool, tranquil, clean, balanced and soothing feelings. It's often used in designs related to nature and sustainability. Use it to create a calming atmosphere.
Burgundy
Burgundy is bold, dramatic, vibrant, luxurious and rich. It's a great colour to use when you want to convey a sense of luxury and sophistication. Use it to create drama and add depth to your designs.
Turquoise
Turquoise is balanced, playful, fresh, tropical and energetic. It's a great colour to use when you want to create a sense of fun. Use it to add a pop of colour to your designs.
I hope this starter guide on colour psychology helps you with your designers. Remember, the right colour can greatly influence the mood and message of what you’re designing.
Want to learn SketchUp?
Watch my free information session to get started…
If you want improve your work with design clients or you are about to start renovating or remodeling then you will love SketchUp.
With this software you can:
mock up an entire home in 2D
create floor plans
draw joinery/millwork elevations
create lighting and electrical plans
work in 3D so you can picture exactly what your design will look like when it is finished
create renderings and perspective drawings
prepare your technical drawings for use with your clients, trades and contractors.
Learning SketchUp will save you time, money and mistakes.
It is a well known piece of software in the interior design and architecture industry and will give you a solid technical drawing skill that will immediately upgrade the professionalism of the work you are doing.
I teach an online course for beginners that is focused specifically on using SketchUp for interior design purposes. We have had thousands of students come through the course with so many fantastic projects designed and built!
We have all sorts of students in the course including designers and architects, cabinet makers, home renovators/remodelers, kitchen and bathroom designers, event planners, landscape designers and design enthusiasts.
If you’re curious about SketchUp then start with my free information session.
In this session I share:
⭐️ my full interior design process using SketchUp and Layout, step by step
⭐️ how to get started with SketchUp
⭐️ plus answer some of the FAQ I get asked about my online courses.
If that sounds of interest then sign up for a session here:
Enjoy the rest of your day!
Clare x
Dr Clare Le Roy
