Talking furniture: colours and their symbolic meaning
Colour choices influence mood
Not surprisingly, colour is a major component of how we perceive the world around us. The colours in our environment have a strong influence on our moods and emotions. When you start to think about the interior design of your home, make sure you use colours in a way that matches the mood and energy you want to create in the space. The origins of modern colour psychology date back to the early 19th century, when Johann Wolfgang von Goethe published his book Theory of Colour. He was mainly interested in the psychological and physiological effects of colour. There have been many interpretations of the meaning of shades among researchers, interior designers and marketing professionals, and we have collected the descriptions that are closest to our own:
White: colour of connection, communication, empathy, faith, spirituality, healing. It suggests a sense of purity, cleansing. It is a great way to define a space, it is best used in combination with other colours. White is perfect for any room in the house or apartment, be it the hall, kitchen, bedroom, living room or bathroom. It creates an air of lightness and clarity and adds a positive energy to your home.
Grey: like white, it is a colour of sensitivity, empathy, faith, spirituality, healing and regeneration. It creates a sense of relaxation and calm. Grey can be used in rooms such as the home office or bathroom. This cool colour works in every space from the kitchen to the bedroom, and goes with any style of furniture, artwork and accessories. Grey even looks great in children’s rooms, creating a space that won’t outgrow.
Brown: the colour of security, stability, the material world and practicality. Like green, brown’s natural roots give a sense of calm. Designers have chosen brown for a wide range of styles, from classic to minimalist to loft, bringing comfort and stability to your home. Choose it for rooms where the family gathers, for furniture groups that encourage conversation, or for bedrooms where it conjures up a sense of warmth, quiet and calm.
Black: the colour of duality, setting boundaries, wisdom, defining a framework and progress. Because of its masculine nature, it is also used to express success and power. Black is classic, timeless, sophisticated and versatile. A colour that never goes out of fashion. It creates a timeless look in the room, as black is elegant, classic, powerful and gives a rich atmosphere to the home or office, creating a sense of wealth or opulence. Because black furniture can make a room feel smaller, it is best used in larger rooms.
Red: carries solar content, linked to the Sun. It primarily strengthens the qualities of creative will, action, initiative and healthy self-assertion. It can be used to warm and enrich spaces. A sophisticated deep reddish-red provides a welcoming backdrop for dining rooms and hallways, or can create a cosy fireplace in living rooms.
Green: colour of nature, represents the demonstration of the intention that has been set in motion. It symbolises the vertical and horizontal flow of vegetation, fertility and renewal. In combination with yellow or red, it supports the expression of action with success. It has a calming effect. Green is the perfect choice for a hallway or entryway because it eases the transition from the outside space, but it also looks great in a home office or living room.
Blue: colour of communication, mediation, energy flow. It symbolizes the wise transmission of intentions and supports the success of implementation. It brings a sense of calm and freshness. Well suited to high traffic areas such as kitchens and bathrooms.
Yellow: the colour’s solarisation indicates a less pronounced intention to act. In home decorating, it is associated with things that are warm and happy in life. Colour therapy uses shades of yellow to make people smile and feel happy. Yellow is also a popular wall paint colour, as it creates a feeling of warmth and cosiness, representing the sun. The best rooms to use yellow in are hallways, as they are usually dark and yellow is a welcoming colour, as well as in breakfast rooms to help get the day off to a bright, cheery start. In the bedroom, yellow is best avoided.
