The Power of Color in Design
We are not one to shy away from using color in our design. In fact, we often lean into incorporating bold colors as a way to achieve a cohesive look rich with vibrant fabrics, paints and wallcoverings. So in this month’s blog we’re sharing our insights behind the power of color in design.
Last year I had the unique opportunity to be a guest speaker at the beautiful Rancho La Puerta Spa in Mexico, a retreat that has always had a special place in my heart. My presentation focused primarily on color, the role it has on influencing moods and its relationship to interiors.
The idea for this discussion culminated from the fact that so often when we first sit down with a client to understand their design goals, the subject of color immediately comes into play. And within it, often a sense of overwhelm in knowing how to use color to achieve a beautiful, layered and cohesive design palette. Most of our clients want to explore color but aren’t sure how to do so. That’s where we come in!
With this very valid uncertainty in mind, here are some key insights from my Rancho La Puerta presentation on the power of color in design.
Color and emotions.
To really understand the relationship color has to an interior it’s important to have an understanding of how color can influence mood and feelings. It’s well known that colors play an important role in everything from fashion to food. It’s the strategy behind the signature color of so many popular brands. Target’s red induces excitement, love and confidence whereas the Hallmark brand purple demonstrates creativity. So when deciding on a color, we tell our clients to think about how a certain color makes them feel. Happy, relaxed, optimistic. These are just a few emotions that color can induce and influence.
Why color matters in design.
When we kick off a project we spend time with our clients to understand their color preferences and how they want to use and feel in each room. We acknowledge and respect that color can be highly personal. Some clients are drawn to neutrals while others love bold deeply saturated hues. Design elements like dark purple cabinets might induce a feeling of courage for some and create unnecessary anxiety for others. So when approaching color in the design of your space, think about the emotions you want to evoke. What is the primary use of the room and how do you want to feel when you are in it? For example, if you’re looking for a family room that feels bold and playful, you may want to consider sophisticated jewel toned colors in your design.
How colors can enhance a room's design.
With the information we’ve gathered through our discovery process, we put together the appropriate color palettes and design selections for our client’s project. We know that color has the power to totally change the look and feel of a space so it’s important to think about how each space flows into the next. This doesn’t mean everything needs to match (in fact we prefer it not!) but it’s important that the look is cohesive. And again, that it induces the emotion you hope to feel when you or anyone else enters the room.
For a primary bedroom, in order to create a relaxing oasis to start and wind down your day, we recommend choosing soft soothing colors like soft blues, greens and neutrals to create a calm and serene palette. And for a dining room design look, we suggest incorporating warm, rich and highly saturated colors like deep blues, purples and shades of reds that induce an inviting and atmospheric mood.
Insider tip: Powder rooms can be a fun small scale space to experiment with color.
Let's not forget neutrals!
We’ve talked a lot about color but we also really love working in neutrals. Neutral designs are not limited to casual or coastal. They can also be refined and sophisticated for city or suburban homes. When we’re working with a more neutral palette we rely heavily on texture for visual interest and look to layer in pops of color with the accessories or smaller upholstered pieces. This approach offers the flexibility to easily change pieces out over time while keeping the larger investment pieces timeless. Consider combining natural materials like wood, stone and glass to create a really dynamic space. Every layer brings an additional level of interest and sense of place to a space.
Get in touch with us if you’d like to talk about how to use color in your home.
Until next time,
