Earlier this month, the Pantone Color Institute, the global authority on color, announced The Pantone Color of the Year 2020.
“Drum roll”
Classic Blue
Pantone’s description reads;
“Instilling calm, confidence, and connection, this enduring blue hue highlights our desire for a dependable and stable foundation on which to build as we cross the threshold into a new era.”
Basically what Pantone is saying that we are living in such a fast paced era that often we can feel unsettled and agitated, and it is in such times that a color like the classic blue can be reassuring and offer safety.
While the Classic Blue is the talk of the social media, I thought this was a great time to do a post on the Psychology of Blue!
Looking at the positive and negative traits of blue, its affect on our mind and body and how we can incorporate it in our lives to benefit from the color.
THE TRAITS OF BLUE
Research has shown time and again that blue is the favorite color of most people on the planet.
Duh!
It is the color of the sky and the sea.
It is the color we are most surrounded by.
Blue is the psychological primary of the mind, the intellect.
No matter what shade of blue you surround yourself with, it will always evoke a mental action.
The more saturated blues (dark colors) are mentally stimulating, where as the lighter blues are mentally soothing and calming.
Another positive trait of strong blues is focus and clarity of thoughts. Brands that use blue in their marketing are signaling integrity, trust and clear communication.
Like any other color, blue used in the wrong context or the wrong tone can come across as cold, uncaring and aloof.
Taking cues from mother nature, we know that blue is a color that does not exists in food naturally. Hence when we see blue food, our subconscious mind kicks in and signals a warning - unsafe or poison. In nature, blue is a sign of food gone bad.
Each tone, tint and shade of blue sends out a different message and will have a different affect on us.
BLUE IN INTERIORS
Since blue is the color of the intellect, it is a great color to use in office interiors where much focus and concentration is required, such as accounting or banking.
For the same reason it is a color to be avoided in eating spaces, such as the dining room , as when we are lost in thoughts, we don’t care much about our stomach. The color is most likely to suppress the appetite.
Ever noticed why restaurants never use blue in their interiors?
Similar traits will be noticed in your kitchen. Chances are when you are hungry, you prepare a better meal. So let’s not use the blue hue in the kitchen to suppress your appetite and the desire to cook a wonderful meal.
Light blue such as the “sky blue” is a great color to have in your bedroom to relax and sleep well after a long work day, as it is associated with mental calm and serenity.
A client once said that she lives in a joint family system (shared living space) and sometime conversations get tensed. In such a situation, to create a living room with relaxing vibes and to ease tension, pair soft blues with soft pinks. This combination will keep the atmosphere sweet.
SHADES OF BLUE
Turquoise is a shade of blue with yellow in it, hence it is energizing and uplift. A great color to use in the bathroom to wake up the mind and the body in the morning.
Sky blue is a tint with a lot of white in it. As white is psychologically expansive, the sky blue will calm unrest. An ideal color to use in the bedroom
Indigo is a deep, rich blue with a hint of violet. Ideal for interior spaces where you want to create a dramatic wow factor. Too much of this color or staying in that space for too long can feel overwhelming.
Teal is a combination of blue and green. Its psychological meaning is restful and balance. Use this color to relax and unwind after a long hectic day. A great place could be the library or a bathroom to create a spa like feel.
Royal blue is a high-intensity shade that evokes intellectual activity. Use in the office for concentration.
Even though blue is a great color to surround yourself with, too much of any color can have adverse affects. Surrounding yourself with too much blue or with the wrong intensity of the color makes you feel cold or depressed. Context and proportion is key to achieving an ideal scheme that can actually improve your wellbeing and happiness.
Leave a comment and tell me if you will be using the Classic Blue in your interiors or some other shade of blue and where?