Color Therapy or Chromotherapy is the use of color to help modify mood and emotions.

Color therapy, also known as chromotherapy, is the practice of using colors from the visible light spectrum to enhance moods, restore emotional balance and combat a variety of psychological problems. Although some critics argue the validity of this practice, others are more inclined to accept its theories.

While using colors to affect your emotions may seem like a silly theory, there may be some truth in this “pseudoscience” after all. For decades, advertising companies and corporate design teams have utilized color to trigger desired behavior in their customers or employees. For instance, the most common color associated with fast food chains is red. McDonald’s, Hardee’s, Chick-Fil-A and Arby’s all use the color red in their logos and packaging. This is most likely due to the theory that red is an attention-grabbing color that is sometimes associated with appetite. (This is also why red is such a popular color choice for home kitchens and dining rooms).

As another example, pink can sometimes be found in prisons, behavioral health centers or other types of places where residents may need to be confined or subdued. “Passive pink,” as it is called, is used as a calming color, though its effectiveness is often criticized by the scientific community.

As for homes, most interior designers will agree that color has a powerful effect on the overall mood and atmosphere of a room, which in turn will affect the mood of anyone who enters it. If you want to create an inviting space for guests to mingle and feel comfortable, a warm orange (think terra cotta, not traffic cone) may work well. If you’re an artist in need of inspiration, try purple – the color often associated with creativity and spirituality.

While most scientists will agree that color can have an effect on a person’s emotional state, most reject the notion that color has any effect on the physical or physiological aspects of health. While we at Colour Solutions consider ourselves experts when it comes to painting, pressure washing or wood staining, we aren’t exactly equipped to help our clients combat physical or emotional illness. If you find yourself experiencing any physical or psychological problems, you should contact your doctor.

Sources:

Color has a powerful effect on behaviopr – NY Times
Color Therapy for Designers Pt 1: The Meaning of Color – Smashing Magazine