How to colour your environment to impact
the moods of the people within your café or restaurant
Color Moods - The Impact of Paint
Without a doubt there is a psychology of colour. Colour impacts
our mood, our appetite, our energy level. Years of colour response research
have shown that certain colours elicit specific--and often strong--responses.
COLOR WARM UP
Red, orange, and yellow Colours in the red, orange and yellow families are
referred to as "warm" colours since they evoke images associated with
heat, like fire or sunshine. As a result they make us feel warm in a
psychological sense.
Red
This powerful colour increases blood pressure and heart rate. It often produces
feelings of intimacy, energy, passion and sexuality. It also stimulates the
appetite and is often used in restaurants and is an excellent choice for dining
rooms in the home.
Orange
Like red, orange warms a room but in a less dramatic and passionate way. The
mood and attitude of orange is more friendly than fiery; more welcoming than
seductive. Orange works well in living rooms and family rooms and is also a
good choice for children's bedrooms.
Yellow
Yellow grabs attention and catches the eye like no other colour, hence the use
of yellow highlighters in offices. In poorly lit foyers and hallways, yellow
shows the way. In their bedrooms, elderly people report that yellow lifts their
mood. But bright yellow can be too strong and may actually cause anxiety in
infants, young children and the elderly.
COLOR COOL OUT
Blue, green, and violet Blues, greens, violets and their intermediates are
considered cool colors because of their references to pastoral landscapes and
ocean vistas. When we look at these colors they elicit feelings of peace, tranquillity
and relaxation.
Blue
Soothing blue is an ideal bedroom colour choice for adults and children. But
that same blue that lulls us to sleep also suppresses our appetites, possibly
because there are very few naturally blue foods. Put blue to bed, but try and
keep it out of the dining room.
Green
As the dominant colour in nature, we are at home with green anywhere in the
house. Light greens work well in baths and living rooms; mid-range greens are a
great accent for kitchens and dining rooms. The calming effect of green makes
it popular in hospitals, schools and work environments.
Violet
Despite the favourable response violet elicits in children, many adults dislike
purples, with rosier shades of violet being somewhat more appealing. Children's
bedrooms and play areas may be good places to experiment with this colour
family.
