Have you ever walked into a room and it just felt off? Maybe the room made you more anxious, made you feel unsettled, or you couldn’t figure out why you felt that way. There is a good chance it was the color and accents in the room. Color has a large effect on our mood, feelings, and thoughts.
Picking the right color of tile is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming because of all the options available. You want to match the tile with your space, but you also need something that makes you feel comfortable. Think about how you want a certain room to feel before finalizing your tile color.
Color Psychology
Generally, people have similar reactions to certain colors. For example, colors on the red spectrum evoke emotions that range from warmth to anger. On the other hand, colors on the blue side of the spectrum tend to give a calm feeling, But they also can create emotions of sadness.
The meaning of color is either biological or learned. When you perceive a certain color, you automatically evaluate it. This can happen without thinking, making color’s influence on our moods automatic.
We’ll go through the different basic colors and the common feelings they evoke to help you can narrow down your tile choices.
Orange
Orange is a good color for an area that needs a burst of energy. Orange brings about happiness because it reminds us of the tropics and sunshine. It is also associated with joy, creativity, success, and determination.
Gold, which is a shade of orange, is associated with wisdom, wealth, and illumination. Choose gold if you want to give off an air of sophistication. Dark orange is associated with ambition and confidence. Bright orange offers warmth and a craving for adventure.
If you use orange in a large space, it may be a bit overwhelming. This color is best used for smaller applications, such as kitchen backsplash tile. This will stimulate your appetite and give you a burst of energy for the day. Another option is orange tile for exercise rooms. Orange tile will give you that burst of energy to help you to finish your workout.
Keep in mind, if you go for brighter shades of orange tile, keep the tile to a minimum. An accent color would be perfect in this scenario because too much orange can overwhelm you and increase anxiety. On the other hand, if you use paler or more muted orange, you can get away with using more tile in the area.
To create an energetic and exciting atmosphere, try using brighter orange tiles with pink and yellow accents. If you want a calmer, but a warmer environment, try adding deep grays and brown with an apricot orange accent.
Red
What do you think of when you see the color red? It could be love, passion, danger, or anger. Red tile heightens the senses to stir up your energy levels and evoke strong emotions. Lighter reds and pinks are associated with love, passion, romance, and joy. Reddish-brown tiles create an atmosphere that will remind you of fall and harvest time. Dark red can evoke emotions such as leadership, courage, and vigor. If you have too much red or too bright of red tile, this can create a look of danger or feelings of anger.
Red tile can create a dramatic look, such as dark red subway backsplash tile in the kitchen or bathroom. If you want something more soft and feminine, consider combining red tile with magentas and soft grays. For a more natural feel, pair rustic red tile with earth tones. Don’t overdo it with red tile because it can produce strong emotions.
Green
The color green symbolizes nature and is a restful color for your eyes. Green evokes feelings of harmony, growth, freshness, and harmony. If you want a look that will give you a sense of security, emotional safety, and calmness then green is a good choice.
Olive green is associated with peace where yellow-green evokes joy. Aqua tile has emotional healing and protection feelings. Dark green produces feelings of ambition.
Green tile can be used almost anywhere in your home because it is such a versatile color. Try different shades of green in a mosaic tile backsplash to make your bathroom feel like an oasis. To complete the look, use blue-greens as accents in the bathroom for a relaxing atmosphere.
Yellow
Energy, intellect, joy, and happiness are just a few emotions yellow tile can spark. However, this is such a complex color because it can also be overwhelming or make you feel anxious if there is too much yellow in the room. The right shade of yellow is important to keep the balance between joy and anxiety.
A soft, light yellow is perfect for a fresh feeling and joyfulness. Bright yellow is an optimistic color, where deep yellow is associated with sophistication. Dull yellow is rarely used because it is associated with caution and sickness, so stay away from any dull yellow tiles you may come across.
Don’t overdo it with yellow tile because it can make your eyes tired after a while. A softer yellow tile is perfect for kitchens, dining rooms, and bathrooms. Try it as an accent color because you will still get the mood-boosting effects of yellow but without it being too overwhelming.
Purple
The color purple creates a feeling of luxury and can spark creativity. Dark purples are dramatic, regal, and sophisticated. On the other hand, lighter purples are soft and soothing. If you are looking to add depth to your room then purple tile is a good choice.
When using purple tiles, pay attention to the shade. Dark purple goes well with silver and crystal accents. Light purple creates a soothing feeling when it is paired with aqua. If you want a rich, regal feel then pair a darker purple with black. For a more lively, joyful area use mid-tone purple tile and mustard yellow.
How Does Color Make You Feel
The most important thing when choosing the tile of your color is how it makes you feel. If a color makes you anxious, stay away from it. Decorating your home and choosing tile should be a rewarding experience, so take care by listening to how your body reacts to different colors.
