What Furniture Color Choice Might Mean

The Psychology of Color

The study of color and how it affects moods and emotions is an interesting subject. Since ancient times, people have used certain colors for many different reasons, from denoting troops on a battlefield to its use in style and beauty. Some people believe that colors can change a person's mood and even make them feel certain things, like Picasso. He was quoted as saying, "Colors, like features, follow the changes of the emotions."

With as much as people have thought and debated about the psychology of color, there isn't much actual empirical or theoretical data in regards to this topic. Skeptics of this emerging field of psychology say that any results from the studies done are anecdotal due to the subjective nature of color in different cultures. Others who study this idea further propose that it's not necessarily the color that has an affect on people's mood, but the idea that the color represents. For instance, here in the US, the color pink is widely regarded as feminine. In some other cultures, both past, and present, the color pink is considered a warrior's color. Because of the personal nature of colors and feelings, the normal scientific rigor gives way to more practical concerns in this field of research.

The Psychological Effects of Color

When it comes to interior design and artistry, color choice is very important because of personal preference first and foremost. You have to ask yourself what overall feeling you want your room to emit. The studies in this area have shown that some color schemes have a wide range of effects. Warm colors can evoke feelings of warmth and comfort but also agitation and hostility. Cool colors tend to instill feelings of serenity and calmness but can also make people feel sad or even indifferent. Each individual color has its own potential effect. 

As stated earlier what you feel when you see colors can be subjective. Your past experiences may have quite a lot of bearing toward what you feel when you see a certain color. What one person feels could be tied to a particular moment or string of memories with either negative and positive association 

Individual Color Effects

What do you think is the most popular color shade for living room furniture? If you guessed shades of blue, you would be correct. If you guessed shades of brown, that was the second favorite choice. Other contenders were grey, green, and black.  Interestingly, blue is supposed to instill calmness, stability, productivity, and even sadness. Brown, on the other hand, is supposed to represent strength, security, nature, but also isolation.  Green is supposed to help relieve stress. Perhaps that is why guests who are in queue to appear on a TV program are asked to wait in a 'green room.' 

Regardless of studies and science, it all comes down to personal choice. The good news is that Ashley HomeStore has a vast selection of colors and styles from which are sure to find the piece that speaks to you. Let us help you make the rooms in your home look and feel exactly the way you want.