As anyone who has gone through the process of finding room colors will attest, choosing the right color for a room can be a minefield of endless choices and subtle nuances to understand and overcome.
But a common question we get asked a lot is, “What’s the most stressful color?” According to color psychologists, red is the most stressful color.
Red room ideas can be too intense for some people. It reminds us of danger. It is strong, aggressive and stimulating, which is why it is often used in warning signs and road signs. Physically, red can evoke reactions in the body that are similar to stress responses, such as: B. an increased heart rate, sharpened senses and a higher body temperature.
However, red is not all bad, especially when used as an accent color in the home. It also has many positive connotations. Red is the color that stands for love, strength and motivation. This shade has the ability to attract attention, evoke passion and sensuality – and is also known to stimulate the production of melatonin and support memory.
Here color psychologists, decorators and experts reveal why red is the most stressful color – and how to decorate with red in a more pleasing and less stimulating way, using the color wheel to create bold color combinations, using red as an accent color and using variations to create a scheme that is not overwhelming.
(Image credit: Future)
What is the most stressful color?
With all its negative connotations, there is no denying that red is a color to look out for when it comes to our attitude and decorating ideas. A remarkable and historic colour. Scientists have recently found evidence that Stone Age dwellers ground up red clay to make wall and body paint over 40,000 years ago. Another use was protection in the afterlife.
Today we discovered that shades of red play a crucial role in early development. Did you know that red is the first color people see, after black and white?
Red is also a prominent color at weddings, from Roman times when brides wore red shawls to show their love and loyalty to modern-day China, where red is a symbol of good luck.
Over time, color psychologists have discovered that red can have a profound impact on our mood, perception, and even our actions. Decorating with red can even change your physiology and hormonal balance. So what makes the shades of purple, scarlet and ruby so strong when it comes to interior design?
For all its design potential, red is considered the most stressful color. “It’s the one color we can’t live with in large quantities,” says Karen Haller, color psychology specialist, teacher, and bestselling author of The Little Book of Color (opens in new tab).
“Your most stressful color is personal,” she says. “It could be a color that conjures up a personal memory that has negative or uncomfortable feelings. This does not necessarily have to be carmine. However, we tend to react more physically to red – it can get our heart rate racing and put us in fight-or-flight mode.”
“It helps to be aware of the visceral effect a color can have on the way we think. For that reason, I would avoid red for a child’s room,” Karen continues. “You want them to go to sleep right away, and the color red says ‘stay awake’ – it’s bursting with energy, is physically stimulating and can evoke an overactive imagination.”
But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use red in your home decor ideas. In fact, the color red is enigmatic, powerful and can be used to great effect. We asked some of our favorite interior designers how best to use this controversial color with aplomb.
How to use red in the home
Earthy pink tones – these natural tones between red, pink and brown conjure up warmth in every room and are reminiscent of late summer sunsets in the evening.
1. Garnish with an earthy rhubarb
(Image credit: Tom St Aubyn)
Soften the color by only using it on the walls and painting the joinery a crisp white, as shown here in this room by Georgie Wykeham.
“Rhubarb is my favorite color; Added to a neutral scheme, it creates warmth, depth and a touch of the unexpected,” says Georgie Wykeham, Founder of Georgie Wykeham Designs. “Used on its own, it’s a very easy color to live with, yet it also works beautifully with blues, greens, pinks and reds.”
2. Add depth and light
(Image credit: Edward Bulmer Natural Paint / Rachael Smith)
“When colors hover between one hue and another, they can take on interest and intrigue,” says Edward Bulmer, founder of Edward Bulmer Natural Paint. “Our Etruscan brown is so named to recognize that it owes as much to the vermilion of Etruscan fresco decoration as it does to the earth tones of a classic brown. It gives you all the blush you need for a ‘red’ room, but in the evening light it vibrates with the soft, deep, neutral appeal of brown, warm and chic.’
We love this sophisticated tone that conveys an unparalleled depth and brightness. If this is too daring, consider using this shade in smaller doses or in less used spaces to add an element of surprise.
3. Inform a distinctive touch
(Image credit: Antony Crolla)
Max Rollitt brings his distinctive decorating style to this Georgian vicarage, where the pantry is given a grounded feel with a selection of antiques set against warm kitchen cabinets.
“These pinks work great for bringing warmth to dark or north-facing rooms all year round,” says Max Rollitt, founder of Max Rollitt.
Be bold and decadent with your color combinations for rooms that are all about red. “I recently used an earthy shade of pink in a bathroom and paired it with a complementary cornflower blue.”
4. Use red-pink as a canvas for art
(Image credit: Luke White / Studio Indigo)
This elegant hue provides a perfect backdrop for portraits by artist Diarmuid Kelly and complements the cornice and panel detailing in this Studio Indigo salon. Walls in Battlesden Pink mixed by Studio Indigo and specialist painter Tony Malins.
“Pink is my favorite color and a perfect background for art,” says Mike Fisher, creative director and founder of Studio Indigo. “When this color is layered and built up in many layers, it adds depth and movement to the walls, which is particularly important in light-filled rooms – the effect is that the air appears to shimmer and sparkle.”