The psychology of color in window treatments is important to understand when designing a space. The color of a space can have a considerable impact. You want your home to be warm and welcoming. Bright, warm colors (reds, oranges, yellows) stimulate energy and happiness, while cool, subdued colors (blues, greens, purples) are soothing. Bright, warm colors are best in rooms for entertaining, like dining rooms or kitchens, while cool colors work best in relaxing spaces like bedrooms or bathrooms. Think about the cool, calming colors of a spa or that brightly colored cafe that instantly felt invigorating.
Color plays a significant role in how everyone feels in a home. While many homeowners have their window treatments blend in, you can opt for colorful options if that suits your style. Window treatments add so much more to a space than privacy and light control; they’re also a great way to infuse color into your home. You can choose vibrant drapery, roller, or Roman shades with fun patterns or honeycomb shades in beautiful, subtle hues to bring color into your home. We can help you infuse color through window treatments that look and feel great using science and psychology.
Step #1: Acknowledging the Accepted Associations of All Colors
Red is a hot color. It’s commonly associated with violence, passion, and intensity. Some studies suggest that it can even increase blood pressure and cause excitement. It’s no secret why many brands use this color to craft powerful identities.
Blue, like red, is a very diverse color. It’s a standard reference to stability, peace, and calm. At the same time, there are many negative things we associate blue with—depression, sadness, and coldness. Blue invokes trust and communicates intelligence.
Green is all about nature, fertility, money, and growth. Lighter shades of green convey freshness, while darker tones are typically associated with stability and well-being.
Women and men generally see colors differently. For example, women experience the world in warmer colors and can usually distinguish shades of red better than men. Men are better able to perceive poor contrast and rapid movement. When choosing colors for your home, look at your wardrobe. What colors do you enjoy wearing? What makes you feel good? Also, look at Pinterest to find room color palettes that speak to you. My recent client loves velvet and we did pink, purple, emerald and deep green draperies for her bedrooms. They turned out fabulous and really put the homeowner’s personality into her home.
Step #2: Evaluating the Endless Color Variations & Their Emotions
The psychology of color in window treatments gets even more interesting. Different variations of hues, shades, and tints can evoke various feelings. For example, a bright turquoise is refreshing, but mix that turquoise with gray to get a more neutral, soothing effect in a window treatment.
How do I choose a color for window treatments? The window treatments always need to coordinate with the wall color. As a certified color consultant I advise my clients on the best colors and undertones to work with all of their existing finishes. When I consult, I interview clients about their preferences and always factor in the homeowner’s lifestyle and preferred aesthetic. I also usually pull from what the homeowner has already selected for the art or accessories they love.
Step #3: Determining the Drapery Colors for a Whole-Home Design
Some colors may not be best for window treatments. For example, yellow can be invigorating for some but cause anxiety for others. Therefore, it might be best to avoid that color in the main entertaining areas of your home.
Windows next to each other should have the same window treatment, especially on the same wall. Same-size windows should have similar treatments, but you can get away with different yet harmonizing treatments with the windows spread throughout your home. Other rooms have different purposes and different desired emotions for the space. For example, bedrooms should be calming, and dining rooms can be more dramatic. So, the treatments can be different throughout the home, but common elements must ensure flow.
As a certified color consultant, I bring knowledge and experience. I understand the power of color and how it can transform a space. We can help you choose the color that works best with your home, evokes the desired emotions, enhances your home, and beautifies your space in a way you love.
Do you need a color expert on your design team to help you navigate the psychology of color in window treatments? We’ve got your back! Contact us here to schedule your window treatments consultation.
See y’all soon!
Lana
