Wo-Built Inc: Clients' Advocate for making their Dream Home happen: Colour for Your Home and Your Life: Intention Of Space

Friday, 16 January 2009

Colour for Your Home and Your Life: Intention Of Space

Image: Four color floral circle design

Image Credit: Microsoft Office.com: Four color floral circle design

This is part two of our series of articles entitled "Colour for Your Home and Your Life with Wo-Built Inc.". In part one we explored a brief history of the colour wheel, psychology of colour to help you choose the right colour combinations that will work for your home!

Intention Of Space

In interior spaces, the right colours will support the purpose of the space. The wrong colours can challenge its function. These ideas are the foundation of visual ergonomics. Visual ergonomics uses applied colour psychology to produce a specific visual mood. Think of the different functions of space such as, lobbies, hospital, spas and bedrooms. Within each setting, a different set of visual ergonomic rules apply.

When selecting a colour, begin by asking questions such as:

What tasks are carried out here?

What kind of image do you want to project?

What mood do you want the space to have?

What kind of a first impression do you want to create?

By answering these questions, you will already have a good idea of which direction to go in and which colours would best create the visual ambiance you are looking for.

Below is a chart with several meanings for each colour. However particular colours may elicit other emotions in certain people. Therefore it is important to use your best judgment when deciding on a colour scheme and to get feedback on the colours that you use.

Colour Meaning Chart