The Effects of Colors on Moods

The color of your bedroom or office might seem a simple design choice, but research shows the hues that surround you can affect everything from your appetite to your productivity on the job. In general, say scholars at Miami University of Ohio, warm colors such as red and yellow have longer wavelengths that make them more stimulating, while cool colors including blue, green and purple possess shorter wavelengths that produce tranquility.

Pink

• This color's soothing effect curbs aggression, hostility and anxiety. Research from the National Institutes of Health shows that prisons nationwide have painted holding cells pink to reduce violent behavior among prisoners, with some institutions reporting reduced muscle strength among inmates housed in pink areas. Military instructors have also found that pink rooms can calm drunken, aggressive sailors.

Red

• It's no accident this hue graces stop signs and emergency signals; it symbolizes high alert, passion and excitement. Red can boost the heart rate and blood pressure, and its ability to stimulate the appetite makes it popular inside restaurants. Red is also the color of love, associated with sexuality, lust and urgency. It's even at home in the office. Shades of red at work can increase productivity, though some research shows that too much red on the job can cause tension. One study found that people who type in red rooms make more mistakes than people typing in a neutrally toned office.

Blue

• This color of nature---it reflects the water and the sky---can reduce appetites and help people relax. Its ability to lull means it works well as a color scheme in bedrooms. Like the water it represents, blue encourages thoughtfulness and contemplation. In clothing, blue conveys a sense of quiet power and professionalism. But blue can have negative connotations in high doses. It's not unusual for people who are depressed to say they feel "blue." In offices, blue shades could cause sadness or exhaustion.

Green

• Another color reflecting nature, green signifies springtime and rebirth, renewal and growth. Because green is found everywhere in nature, it works to improve mood throughout the home or office. Hospitals, schools and businesses especially benefit from green color themes, which deliver a nurturing atmosphere. Men in particular subconsciously associate green with youth and abundance.

Yellow

• Like other colors, yellow has positive and negative effects on mood and behavior. Yellow can symbolize optimism and creativity, and it's a major attention-grabber (think text highlighters). Like the sun that shares its color, yellow is associated with energy and brightness. But loud yellows, such as neons and fluorescents, can make infants, children and the elderly anxious. A study from the National Institutes of Health found that scientists have noted a potential link between sodium yellow streetlights and violent street crimes.

Purple

• Humans have long associated this color with royalty, power, mysticism and spirituality. From ancient Rome to contemporary Europe, purple has been the color of the ruling elite. Purple, which is also Easter's symbolic color, yields feelings of healing. Children respond well to purple, making the color a good choice for playrooms and nurseries.