色彩的直接心理效應來自色彩的物理光刺激對人的生理髮生的直接影響。心理學家對此曾做過許多實驗。他們發現，在紅色環境中，人的脈搏會加快，血壓有所升高，情緒興奮衝動。而處在藍色環境中，脈搏會減緩，情緒也較沈靜。有的科學家發現，顏色能影響腦電波，腦電波對紅色反應是警覺，對藍色的反應是放鬆。自19世紀中葉以後，心理學已從哲學轉入科學的範疇，心理學家注重實驗所驗證的色彩心理的效果。不少色彩理論中都對此作過專門的介紹，這些經驗向我們明確地肯定了色彩對人心理的影響。
冷色與暖色是依據心理錯覺對色彩的物理性分類，對於顏色的物質性印象，大致由冷暖兩個色系產生。波長長的紅光和橙、黃色光，本身有暖和感，以次光照射到任何色都會有暖和感。相反，波長短的紫色光、藍色光、綠色光，有寒冷的感覺。夏日，我們關掉室內的白熾燈，打開日光燈，就會有一種變量雙的感覺。顏料也是如此，在冷食或冷的飲料包裝上使用冷色，視覺上會引起你對這些食物冰冷的感覺。冬日，把臥室的窗簾換成暖色，就會增加室內的暖和感。
以上的冷暖感覺，並非來自物理上的真實溫度，而是與我們的視覺與心理聯想有關。總的來說，人們在日常生活中既需要暖色，又需要冷色，在色彩的表現上也是如此。
冷色與暖色除去給我們溫度上的不同感覺以外，還會帶來其它的一些感受，例如，重量感、濕度感等。比方說，暖色偏重，冷色偏輕；暖色有密度強的感覺，冷色有稀薄的感覺；兩者相比較，冷色的透明感更強，暖色則透明感較弱；冷色顯得濕潤，暖色顯得乾燥；冷色又很遠的感覺，暖色則有迫近感。一般說來，在狹窄的空間中，若想使它變得寬敞，應該使用明亮的冷調。由於暖色有前進感，冷色有後退感，可在細長的空間中的兩壁塗以暖色，近處的兩壁塗以冷色，空間就會從心理上感到更接近方形。
除去寒暖色系具有明顯的心理區別以外，色彩的明度與純度也會引起對色彩物理印象的錯覺。一般來說，顏色的重量感主要取決於色彩的明度，暗色給人以重的感覺，明色給人以輕的感覺。純度與明度的變化給人以色彩軟硬的印象，如淡的亮色使人覺得柔軟，暗的純色則有強硬的感覺。
Understand how color affects your mood
Psychologists have long since theorize that people's preferences for color and color mixes have deep psychological affect on your mood or feeling.
In fact, research does suggest that color can affect your being and that your choice of color or combinations of color is significant to your mood.
An example of this is that healthy people will prefer colors and color mixtures that reflect their health both physically and mentally.
Furthermore, your color preferences are not necessarily fixed and that they will vary even within a given day depending on your mood.
Click any of the boxes to test your mood.
Mood interpreter
Choose the color below that you like most at this moment.
Scientists, doctors and mental health professionals have been studying the correlation between color and mood for years. Many now believe that colors cannot only cause emotional reactions, but can also correct mood and well being.
Recent studies suggest that we don't actually see color, but "feel" it instead. Scientists now believe that each individual "feels" color in their heart, and not their head.
Colors behave in three basic ways: active, passive and neutral. If you rememberer the basics between these three actions, you can decorate and dress for success.
ACTIVE
Active colors are warm colors, including yellow, orange and red. These colors inspire positiveness and exude confidence from extroverts. Warm colors can also inspire conversation and upbeat attitudes. Reds heat up a room like no other hue. Wake up an entryway with fire engine red or warm a den with deep maroon. Yellows and golden colors unleash creative activity and work well in offices, kitchens and study areas.
PASSIVE COLORS
Cool colors pacify and restore. Bedrooms, private areas and bathrooms are great places for blues, greens and purples.
NEUTRAL COLORS
Think of neutralizing colors as "uncolors." Beiges, grays, whites and taupes do not activate or pacify. Instead, they work together with the other colors to bridge rooms and provide transition.
PAINTING WALLS
You can easily change the look or feel of a room by redressing the walls. Mixing and matching colors within the same color scheme is an excellent way to balance color and emotion, and provide a welcoming feel to guests. The following gives a general guideline for wall painting and mood when using passive, active and neutral colors:
NEUTRAL COLORS
Neutral colors, such as pale gray, taupe and beige, send a restful message to your brain. It's not a coincidence that most doctor's offices, coffee shops, spas and mental health centers decorate in neutrals. Neutral colors can actually "destress" individuals.
BRIGHT, WARM COLORS
To create a feeling of warmth and coziness in a room, use bright, warm colors like yellows, oranges and reds. These colors make good choices for rooms that appear cool due to limited, natural sunlight. Mixing several different shades of warm colors evokes positive, cheerful reactions.
YELLOWS
Yellow color schemes add cheeriness to dull rooms. Therapists often use colors with the yellow scheme to boost mood. You can achieve the same effect by adding yellows to rooms which are not associated with happy thoughts, such as kitchens and laundry rooms. Yellows can also be used to increase energy.
COOL COLORS
In rooms where there's plenty of sunshine, cool colors can provide a calming ambience. Sage greens and sky blues are perfect for bedrooms, playrooms and activity areas. Other cool colors, such as blues and greens, can evoke quiet moods and even sadness. For this reason, cool colors aren't generally used in large areas.
PRIMARY COLORS
Let your playful side come out by painting with the primary colors. Young, playful moods are brought to the surface with primary colors. Children's bedrooms are a great area to use primary colors in.
REDS
Red is a power color, often used to invigorate your environment. Red is also said to stimulate and symbolize passion. Remember that red hot date dress?
COLORS BY MOOD
Here's a quick rundown of individual colors and the moods they support.
PINK-soothes, promotes affection.
YELLOW-cheers, increases energy, expands the size of a room.
WHITE-purifies, unifies, enlivens other colors.
BLACK-authoritative, shows discipline, encourages independence.
ORANGE-cheers, stimulates appetite and conversation.
RED-empowering
GREEN-balances, refreshes
PURPLE-comforts, creates mystery
BLUE-relaxes, cools
TIPS AND TRICKS
To temper wall color choices, pick out furniture and accessories that will provide a visual contrast. Brick-red painted trim, for example, can be balanced with antique-white rugs.
COOL colors make a room seem larger than it is and warm colors make rooms feel smaller.
Mixing different shades of beige will add a classy feel to any size room.
