Color psychology is the study of how popular colors impact human behavior. Different colors have distinct meanings, connotations, and psychological effects that vary across different cultures. Along with cultural differences, personal preferences can impact color psychology. 

Color psychology involves the use of [color theory](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/color-theory-basics-understanding-the-color-wheel)—the practical application of mixing and matching various hues—to explore concepts like color perception and the effect of color combinations.
Color affects your mood through different associations. The human brain associates warm colors—such as red, orange, and yellow—with a range of feelings, including passion, comfort, anger, and power. 

[Cool colors](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cool-colors-in-interior-design-explained)—such as blue, green, and purple—have the opposite effect, creating a calming atmosphere that counteracts feelings of anxiety. While cool tones can calm and soothe an uneasy disposition, they can also trigger feelings of sadness and indifference.
The psychological effects of color play a significant role in shaping preferences and color choices. Marketers, interior designers, and artists use color associations to create a distinct mood. Consider the following examples of how varying color palettes evoke different meanings and emotions:

1. __Blue__: Different tints of blue evoke a wide spectrum of emotions, from serene to distant. For example, dark shades of [blue](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/dark-blue-color) can make viewers feel lonely and detached. Light shades of blue have a calming effect and also signal dependability. Health care offices often paint their walls light blue to soothe anxious patients. From a marketing standpoint, businesses use light shades of blue in website designs, logos, and infographics to establish a brand personality that exudes dependability and trust.
2. __Green__: The color green has associations with the natural world, generating tranquil and rejuvenating moods. Since shades of [green](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/green-color-meaning) reflect a variety of earthy tones, surrounding yourself with green accents can create a calming and uplifting atmosphere. In some literary contexts, however, green symbolizes feelings of jealousy and disgust. 
3. __Purple__: From a historical perspective, the color purple has associations with royalty, authority, and wealth. People also connect creativity, imagination, and inspiration to purple color schemes. [Pastel](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/pastel-colors) shades of purple, such as lavender, can be calming colors.  
4. __Red__: The primary color red evokes some of the most intense moods and emotions. With connections to love, passion, anger, and danger, red has a powerful impact on the human body. It generates a stimulating effect, increasing a person’s heart rate and energy levels. In color therapy, red helps patients release negative emotions and lingering anger. 
5. __Yellow__: As a light and bright shade, [yellow](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/yellow-color-meaning) is an energizing color that provokes feelings of happiness and optimism. The intensity and brightness of yellow catch the eye, producing both positive and negative effects. While its radiance makes the color yellow cheery, too much yellow (especially shades with a deep saturation) can cause eyestrain and feelings of frustration.
Red is one of the most influential colors when it comes to an individual’s mood. The color red has associations with strong emotions, such as love and anger, and can have a significant effect on a person’s disposition. Emergency and warning signs use the color red to generate alertness in times of crisis. 

Blue is also a powerful color because the human eye easily recognizes this shade on the color wheel. Because the color blue does not occur naturally in many types of food, its appearance can help curb an individual’s appetite.
Master everything from color theory to pattern mixing with the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com) and exclusive lessons from award-winning interior designers like Corey Damen Jenkins and Kelly Wearstler. From shopping for statement furniture to designing a lighting scheme to choosing the newest member of your plant family, the skills you’ll pick up are sure to make your house, apartment, or condo feel even more like a home. 
The psychology of color is a scientific field that aims to understand the impact of color on human perception. Discover how color can affect your mood and learn the importance of color application across industries.

The psychology of color is a scientific field that aims to understand the impact of color on human perception. Discover how color can affect your mood and learn the importance of color application across industries.

How Color Can Affect Your Mood: All About Colors and Emotions

Color psychology is the study of how popular colors impact human behavior. Different colors have distinct meanings, connotations, and psychological effects that vary across different cultures. Along with cultural differences, personal preferences can impact color psychology. Color psychology involves the use of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/color-theory-basics-understanding-the-color-wheel' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/color-theory-basics-understanding-the-color-wheel","linkCopy":"color theory","category":null}'>color theory</a>—the practical application of mixing and matching various hues—to explore concepts like color perception and the effect of color combinations.

What Is Color Psychology?

Color affects your mood through different associations. The human brain associates warm colors—such as red, orange, and yellow—with a range of feelings, including passion, comfort, anger, and power. <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cool-colors-in-interior-design-explained' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cool-colors-in-interior-design-explained","linkCopy":"Cool colors","category":null}'>Cool colors</a>—such as blue, green, and purple—have the opposite effect, creating a calming atmosphere that counteracts feelings of anxiety. While cool tones can calm and soothe an uneasy disposition, they can also trigger feelings of sadness and indifference.

How Does Color Affect Your Mood?

The psychological effects of color play a significant role in shaping preferences and color choices. Marketers, interior designers, and artists use color associations to create a distinct mood. Consider the following examples of how varying color palettes evoke different meanings and emotions:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Blue: Different tints of blue evoke a wide spectrum of emotions, from serene to distant. For example, dark shades of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/dark-blue-color' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/dark-blue-color","linkCopy":"blue","category":null}'>blue</a> can make viewers feel lonely and detached. Light shades of blue have a calming effect and also signal dependability. Health care offices often paint their walls light blue to soothe anxious patients. From a marketing standpoint, businesses use light shades of blue in website designs, logos, and infographics to establish a brand personality that exudes dependability and trust. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Green: The color green has associations with the natural world, generating tranquil and rejuvenating moods. Since shades of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/green-color-meaning' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/green-color-meaning","linkCopy":"green","category":null}'>green</a> reflect a variety of earthy tones, surrounding yourself with green accents can create a calming and uplifting atmosphere. In some literary contexts, however, green symbolizes feelings of jealousy and disgust. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Purple: From a historical perspective, the color purple has associations with royalty, authority, and wealth. People also connect creativity, imagination, and inspiration to purple color schemes. <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/pastel-colors' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/pastel-colors","linkCopy":"Pastel","category":null}'>Pastel</a> shades of purple, such as lavender, can be calming colors. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Red: The primary color red evokes some of the most intense moods and emotions. With connections to love, passion, anger, and danger, red has a powerful impact on the human body. It generates a stimulating effect, increasing a person’s heart rate and energy levels. In color therapy, red helps patients release negative emotions and lingering anger. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Yellow: As a light and bright shade, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/yellow-color-meaning' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/yellow-color-meaning","linkCopy":"yellow","category":null}'>yellow</a> is an energizing color that provokes feelings of happiness and optimism. The intensity and brightness of yellow catch the eye, producing both positive and negative effects. While its radiance makes the color yellow cheery, too much yellow (especially shades with a deep saturation) can cause eyestrain and feelings of frustration. </li></ol>

5 Examples of Colors And Moods Associated With Them

Red is one of the most influential colors when it comes to an individual’s mood. The color red has associations with strong emotions, such as love and anger, and can have a significant effect on a person’s disposition. Emergency and warning signs use the color red to generate alertness in times of crisis. Blue is also a powerful color because the human eye easily recognizes this shade on the color wheel. Because the color blue does not occur naturally in many types of food, its appearance can help curb an individual’s appetite.

Which Colors Have The Most Powerful Effects on One’s Mood?

Master everything from color theory to pattern mixing with the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a> and exclusive lessons from award-winning interior designers like Corey Damen Jenkins and Kelly Wearstler. From shopping for statement furniture to designing a lighting scheme to choosing the newest member of your plant family, the skills you’ll pick up are sure to make your house, apartment, or condo feel even more like a home.

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The psychology of color is a scientific field that aims to understand the impact of color on human perception. Discover how color can affect your mood and learn the importance of color application across industries.

The psychology of color is a scientific field that aims to understand the impact of color on human perception. Discover how color can affect your mood and learn the importance of color application across industries.


Living room with sienna couch and colorful pillows representing how color can affect your mood.