 |
|
Used smartly, the color black can lend an air of sophistication and elegance to an interior design scheme.
Against a background of lighter colors or neutrals, anything in black will stand out (as in this picture).
"The color black provides bold and defined detail,
like print on a page."
For this reason, the color black is great if you want to draw attention to fine features of a room (like the spiral staircase in this picture), to furniture with ‘good bones’, and to ornamental detail.
If, on the other hand, you have fallen in love with a big black sofa and your living-room is a bit on the small side, the psychological effects of the color black will work against you: this color can really smother a room and give it a menacing austerity.
While (in the West) the color black is often used to demonstrate power and social prestige (think black Mercedes and black-tie events), you won’t find much that’s actually joyful or life-affirming about the color black.
Black color is associated with death, mourning, widowhood, and generally serious and formal occasions. It even “eats” light – all the other colors reflect it at least to some extent.
In Western societies, the color black is also related to evil powers (we think the devil is black).
Stereotypical villains go dressed in black, too, which adds suitable drama to their character (I’ll never, ever forget Count Dracula’s first appearance at the top of the stairs!).
Well, there you have it. The psychological effects of the color black are obviously no joking matter! Use the color wisely, like 'eyeliner' for a room - on details like picture frames, small tables and the like, to 'underline' your home’s chic sophistication.
Alternatively, you could soften the psychological effect of stark black by using near-black neutrals – charcoal or dark coffee browns carry visual weight, but without the severity of outright blackness.
For information on the effects of other colors, please click any of the following links:
White,
Gray,
Brown
Yellow,
Orange,
Red,
Pink
Purple,
Blue,
Green.
Click here for some general information about Color Psychology.
Return from the Psychological Effects of the Color Black to Room Color Schemes.
Return to Dream Home Decorating Homepage
