Here’s what experts have to say on what color psychology does to change the way we feel

Ever wondered what it is about green grass and blue sky that makes you feel so good? Here’s how color can change your mood — and what you can do to surround yourself with the right colors — even once summer comes to a close.

Here’s what experts have to say on what color psychology does to change the way we feel — and how you can design the spaces around you to give yourself that energizing boost all year long.

NOT ALL BLACK & WHITE:

The basics of color psychology

It’s too cold in here.

Can you turn up the heat?

Your lattes are yum, but brr…. It’s a little chilly.

The management of a popular coffee shop was frustrated. The customers were constantly complaining about the temperature, even though their heating system was in excellent working order. Then someone hit on an idea: redecorate.

Huh? What difference would that make?

All the difference, apparently. The coffee shop redesigned their seating area, changing the paint color from a cool blue to a warm, cozy orange. The heating system remained exactly the same — but they never heard a complaint about the temperature again.

Color psychology explores the theory that colors have a real effect on our moods, emotions, and judgment. When we see something red, we assume urgency. Yellow has been found to increase anxiety and even dizziness — which, incidentally, is why you’ll almost never see yellow used inside an airplane.

And apparently, blue walls in a coffee shop made customers feel physically colder.

Blue’s not all that bad, though. Besides for being the hands-down winner for the world’s most popular favorite color, studies show that it evokes trust, calm, and relaxation. When the city of Glasgow, Scotland, discovered this study, back in 2,000, they changed all their street lights to blue — and the local crime rate decreased dramatically.

Colors, it seems, are super-powerful! And although the exact way we view different colors varies according to our past experiences and the culture around us (does white represent purity or mourning? Is pink for baby boys or baby girls?) — there are some overall effects of color that apply universally.

One example is the use of warm colors (including red, orange, and yellow) as opposed to cool colors (blue, green, purple). Warm colors are generally associated with warmth, friendliness, joy, and optimism — but also with feelings of anger, danger, or impulsiveness. Cool colors, on the other hand, signify peace, calm, tranquility — or alternately, sadness or indifference. Who knew that selecting colors could be so complicated?

COLOR CODING DECIPHERED

Ready for the nitty-gritty? Here are the kind of things we tend to associate with each color.