If one thing goes without saying, it is that the employees of Atlas Painting & Restorations Ltd. (604-244-8244) take massive pride in our work. From doing basic renovations to preserving historical landmarks, there is no task that we undertake without first acknowledging the impact that it will have not only on our individual clients, but also our community as a whole. As we have been involved in the Vancouver industry for decades, over time we have noticed that it’s the little details that really can make a difference in how people perceive the outcome of our projects. Things that may seem of little concern may actually play a surprisingly large role in how our customers live their day-to-day lives.
The colour of paint , for example, is something that is often overlooked while planning to implement a restoration plan. Sure, everyone wants the rooms of their house to be aesthetically pleasing, but what many really don’t know is how colour can fundamentally affect one’s mood. In fact, psychological studies have proven time and time again that different shades and hues can actually lead to noticeable and profound alterations in how one perceives the world. Interestingly enough, these changes can affect people differently, depending on one’s age, gender, ethnic background, and the climate in which they live.
Moral of the story is, maybe going to work in the morning would feel less like a funeral if you had gone with a paint shade other than jet black! Jokes aside, we here at Atlas felt that it would be relevant to provide our loyal customers with a brief guide on how to choose which variety of paint works best for you. As a side note, we don’t consider ourselves to be all-out Martha Stewarts, so don’t let our advice hamper your creative spirit (also, don’t blame us when the dinner guests leave because of the sickly green colour you chose for the dining room).
Before diving head-first into the proverbial paint bucket, we recommend that you decide upon the décor and furniture that you want to be placed in the room. Carpets, chairs, and craft beer arrangements (this is Vancouver after all) usually come in a rather limited selection of colours compared to the paints that you will use for room interiors. Always take this into consideration before you go about either calling us or preparing your paint rollers yourself. There is no worse mistake than applying a full coat only to realize that it painfully clashes with your desk and chair arrangement. For advice on how to plan this out properly, you can feel free to give us a call (604-244-8244), or check out decoration magazines and websites to get a glimpse into how the pros do it. Another golden rule to follow is that lighter shades usually make rooms feel larger, whereas darker ones create more compact optical spaces.
Now that you are aware of the preliminary steps needed to reach paint perfection, here is a quick list of a few popular colours and how they subliminally can affect the psychological feel of a room:
Blue: Considered to be a ‘passive’ colour, blue is the preferred choice for many a bedroom or bathroom. The reason for this is that this relaxing hue is known to reduce blood pressure and invoking feelings of serenity. Be wary of your choices however, as darker shades of blue have been known to invoke sadness. To counter this, try using cerulean or periwinkle blues in living spaces. A sure-fire way to lower the cumulative blood pressure in a room during any heated interactions with the in-laws!
Red: At the opposite end of the spectrum, here comes red. The long-standing enemy of many a charging bull, this colour is known for representing strong emotions of passion or anger. If you want your living room to be a place for heightened interactions with friends and family, then this may be the coating you will want to choose. It may be a rather poor choice for bedroom colours, however, unless you are the type of person who likes to wake up with a racing heart.
Yellow: Most commonly found in kitchens and bathrooms, yellow stands as the perfect colour to emphasize energy and happiness. Want your abode to seem welcoming? Well, decorate the entrance to your home with a variety of yellows to elicit such emotions from visitors. Sometimes a little too much can be overwhelming, however, so we usually recommend shying away from decorating an entire room with this.
Green: Arriving at the happy median between red and yellow, this colour is generally perceived as being very easy on the eyes. Taking this into consideration, it usually works best in places where relaxation is the name of the game. Living rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens all look serene and inviting with a touch of green. It also represents the colour of money, so, if you happen to have a large bank vault, this will really spice up the interior in an appropriate manner that guests and robbers will love.
Neutrals: Any variety of gray, black, white, or brown can serve a plethora of purposes in your home. When combined with actual colours, they can add to effects of liveliness or calmness. Black is probably the best shade that can be applied to almost any scenario, just remember too use it sparingly, otherwise your living room will start to look like the crypt keepers hovel. After finishing up your paint project, experiment with various neutral shades in order to find which look best suits the mood you are aiming for.
The dedicated workers of Atlas Painting & Restorations Ltd. (604-244-8244) hope that this article has been informative and given you some insight into the psychological undertones that each colour and shade has to offer. To book appointments, assessments, or seek advice, feel free to give us a call or check out our website!
