Color Theory: Is it warm in here or is it just…the walls?
Color Theory: Is it warm in here or is it just…the walls?
January 16, 2015 by Taylor Studios
Warm colors and lighting used at in Rockport, TX
It’s mid-January and if you’re anywhere near us, you’re feeling the chill of winter! While you of course could bundle up and crank the heat, did you know that it is possible to add ‘warmth’ just by adjusting colors and light?
Warm Colors, Cool Colors
Color theory tells us that colors can generally be divided into warm and cool categories. Usage of warm colors—reds, yellows, and oranges—as opposed to cool colors—blues, greens, purples—can add visual warmth. Because we associate these colors with what we know to give off heat (fire, lava, the sun, etc.) when we see those colors it . The visual sense of color connects with the physical feeling of warmth. Whoa! So, does that mean if you paint a wall red, you’ll instantly feel warmer? Unfortunately, no, because colors can also be associated with emotions (ie. anger) finding the right balance can be tricky. If you want to add warmth, without being over bearing, choosing a softer tone of a warm color or using less of a bright one, can offer a soothing warmth, as opposed to an aggressive heat.
Usage of warm lighting can also make a space feel more cozy and welcoming—think firelight vs. fluorescents. Warm lights cast a glow that softens a space, which in turn can make us feel more comfortable, relaxed, and connect with a sense of ‘warmth.’
Using color and light provides control over the overall feeling of a space, gravitating fully in one direction or finding a balance in between. Notice the prominent colors that surround you, does what you’re seeing evoke a feeling? Keep this in mind as you develop your space!