Among the many catalogs that came this past month, one cover really caught my eye. It read, “What Color is Your Calm?”. What a perfectly clever and brilliant way to make people stop and wonder… “Wait, what color is my calm?”
I didn’t have to think too hard about mine — my happy place is pretty clear to me. It involves myriad shades of warm whites, oatmeal, ivory and taupe. I personally gravitate to a more muted palette and use pops of color now and again as the mood strikes. These warm neutrals make me feel grounded, calm and altogether Zen. But color, or the lack of it in my case, is very personal. Trust me, my husband absolutely does not enjoy the same muted palette as I do. Not even a little bit!
So back to the question… What color is your calm?
First, let’s acknowledge that this particular question has embedded within it a fundamental premise — the idea that we want our spaces to make us feel calm. But do we? I am not sure that wanting your space to exude tranquility is a universally desired outcome for everyone. However, let’s assume that if you are reading this now, you want at least one space in your home to provide some measure of tranquility.
Second, I recognize that you might secretly be challenging the very idea that using color in interior design can, in fact, evoke a feeling of calm. And you wouldn’t be alone. There is some debate about whether color psychology is even a real science or just nonsense. I’m squarely in the camp that it is real or at least real-ish. Like astrology.
Seriously though, there are many studies that suggest that color can, in fact, influence a person’s feelings, moods, and behaviors. It’s complicated, though, because many cultures often ascribe very differ social meanings to colors.
For example, white elicits feelings of cleanliness and purity in some cultures, but is also a signal of death and mourning in others. But let’s just say, I am still a believer. There are certainly places I go where the color scheme makes me feel or do certain things. I mean, there’s a reason bars are often dark and sultry, right?
So let’s agree that color can affect our moods at least a little. So if you are revamping a space or starting fresh, it is important to pay attention to what colors elicit certain moods for you. When you find yourself in spaces full of strong color, ask yourself how you are feeling. Take note. See what keeps coming up.
Here are four questions about using color in interior design to help you figure out the color of your own calm:
- What color is your bedroom comforter or the one you wish you owned? People often want to feel safe, nurtured, and calm in bed most of the time. How you dress your bed will clue you in to whether you are a ‘color person’ or a ‘whites and neutrals person’. Is the comforter you like a solid color or is it a mix of colors? Does it have a bold design? These answers will clue you in to how you approach color in your most tranquil spots.
- What colors is your favorite t-shirt or sweater? That one you reach for after a really hard day. I’m imagining that this is something you have kept around for years. Whatever colors this item is, it speaks to you and makes you feel cozy and calm. Is it blue? Is it white? Bright? Muted? Take note of the shade.
- What color is your wallet? This is an item that we use all the time and if you are a color person, I bet your wallet is a color that you like. Shelling out money makes everyone anxious, but you’ve picked something that tempers that. What color is that?
- What scent is your favorite candle? Okay, go with me here. It’s more than a little likely that you selected a specific scent because it reminds you of some place, and that place probably has some signature colors. I’m not suggesting that we all have full on synesthesia (where the stimulation of one sense can trigger another) but I am suggesting that we try to pay attention to our stimuli. If your go-to candle involves the scent of the ocean, then probably blues and turquoises calm you.
Now that you have a good idea what the color of your calm is, it might be time to move forward in discovering your unique interior design style. This quiz can be a helpful resource for those who are renovating or creating a new space and want to hone in on their specific aesthetic.