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Psychology Of Color

Trying to figure out the psychology of the bathroom is a delicate subject. The processes that go on in there are very private. However there are a few key elements you want to reinfoirce in a bathroom that deal with less specific functions. You want comfort, you want relaxation, and if you can, you want beauty. Different colors can help you to achieve these goals in different ways.

The most common bathroom color is white. White is simple and elegant. White also shows dirt very easily, which may make it easier to keep the bathroom spotless as you'll always know where the dirt is. One of the interesting aspects of white is that it reflects heat, meaning on those cold winter mornings there is no color colder than white to have in a bathroom. Black is quite the opposite. It will hide most dirt, and it absorbs heat. The problem with black is that it tends to make things seem smaller, and the bathroom is usually already small.

Green is a popular color that invigorates people's bodies and gives rest to their minds. It is reminiscent of nature. A dark green in a bathroom will give a sense of being in the depths of the forest.

Blue is the most popular color in the United States and it has an even deeper relaxing effect than green. Using blue in the bathroom in different shades will evoke calm in its occupants. Blue makes people think about oceans and water, which may make it the perfect match for a bathroom's decor.

If you wake up early to shower, you may not want your bathroom to relax you. Many people feel they need a jolt in the morning. For this, a derivative of red is perfect. Red causes our bodies to react aggressively and makes our metabolism increase. While bright red may be a bit extreme for most bathrooms, using a soft version of this color could give you a slight boost of energy in the morning. It will, however, also make midnight bathroom runs less easy to fall back asleep from.

There are unlimited shades of each color above, and they don't affect everyone in the same manner. Mix, match, and experiment before making any decisions.

Color Schemes and Mood

Monochromatic color schemes, using varying shades, tones, and tints of the same color can have different impact on the overall bathroom space. A single color scheme gives a unified, peaceful, and harmonious response. Monochromatic colors effectively establish an overall calming presence while tying things together, but can become boring or dull because of the lack of color contrast and liveliness.

The analogous, or side-by-side, color scheme adds depth, energy, and visual appeal. Using two or three related colors next to each other on the color wheel is both flexible and attention-grabbing. The relationship of the related colors brings harmony to the setting. One problem with this type of color scheme is that inadvertently adding a fourth color spoils the effect. Analogous color combinations of yellow, red, and orange, although full of life, constantly heat up the space whereas, blue, teal, and green always visually cool a space.

Complimentary, opposite, or contrasting color combinations come from opposite sides of the color spectrum. A warm color combined with a cool color - such as yellow and purple, red and green, or blue and orange - creates an interesting combination. They are also visually pleasing to most people. Because the two colors contain all three primary colors, the color scheme is complete and well-balanced.

Develop a Color Scheme for Your Bathroom