The Science of Color: How Murals Set the Mood of a Room
- Grahame Menage
- Sep 19
- 2 min read
Let’s explore the impact of color on mood and how murals can help interior designers craft the desired environment, whether it’s for relaxation, energy, or sophistication.
There have been many studies on the impact of color on our mood – in fact a whole concept of ‘psychology of color’ has been developed, starting with Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s Theory of Colours in 1810!
How we view color, of course, is greatly impacted by cultural, historical and symbolic connotations. For example, while black is often considered a color of mourning in the West, in the East, white is the color of death.
It’s obvious why, for interior designers, the choice of color for a space is hugely important in determining the mood of a room.
“Colors, like features, follow the changes of the emotions.” - Pablo Picasso
According to Goethe’s theory, colors that induce positive feelings include yellow, red-yellow, and yellow-red. While blue, red-blue, and blue-red induce negative feelings. That said, soft blue is often thought of as a calming colour, invoking blue skies and flowing rivers.
Pastel shades are associated with calm – and when used in interior design indicate a softness, ideal for a room where you want to invoke a relaxing and comfortable feel.
The color green, in particular, has been seen to alleviate stress and enhance calm feelings – it brings to mind rolling hillsides and blooming gardens. Pale brown and soft peach are thought to be warm and supportive.
“Colour associations can not only develop over time but also can be completely reversed.” – Dr Vien Cheung
Did you know that around 100 years ago, pink was in fact, considered a strong and masculine color, while blue was considered delicate and feminine?
It’s not just the colors used, but also the brightness and saturation, which influence our mood and mental health.
While there are many guidelines offered from research into the psychology of color, ultimately, color is innately personal, so the client’s own feelings and preferences should always be considered.
“Color! What a deep and mysterious language, the language of dreams.” - Paul Gauguin
