Is Grey Still King? What Color Should I Paint?
by Chris Petry
Color Theory is the science by which designers, interior decorators, and visual artists select specific colors with the intention of invoking a particular psychological response from the viewer. An innumerable number of studies, carried out by artists, marketing firms and psychologists over the years, have repeatedly demonstrated the power of color to influence everything from a person’s inner mood to their decision making and consumer spending habits.
Ever wonder why every fast-food restaurant’s faux-neon signage puts red and yellow front and center? Well, that’s because, according to theory, hungry motorists are much more likely to stop for those salty, fatty French Fries when they see those colors. Why do we associate sadness with blue? Ever hear someone saying, “She’s feeling blue” or “He’s got the blues?” There’s a whole genre of music called The Blues, named just as much for its themes of heartbreak and dissatisfaction as its utilization of so called “blue notes” in its composition. Blue notes are in a lower pitch, the lowered 3rd, 5th, or 7th scale degrees. Society has agreed, blue makes us feel down.
In the housing market, it’s safe to say that greys of all shades, valued for their neutrality, have dominated the home wall pallet for the better part of a decade. Light grey, dark grey, blue grey, green grey… it seemed grey was here to stay. However, what if we applied color theory to our interior decorating? If the basis of color theory is true and grey is thought to invoke imagery of rain, storms, moodiness, and solemnity, why do we surround ourselves with four greyed out walls? If we want to take steps toward nurturing feelings of happiness, motivation, and optimism, perhaps filling our living spaces with bright happy colors would be a nice place to start.
Homeowners have been wrestling with this conundrum for some time it seems. For the first time in memory, interior home design is trending colorful again. Well, sort of. Greens, browns, reds, and yellows have all been undergoing a reevaluation as of late. They’re trending on the darker or paler ends of the scale, sure, but at least they’re back in play. While homeowners are not ready to give up their grey full stop, they’ve created intermediary grey browns, the best example being a shade called “greige,” to move them in the other direction. Instead of lime green, they’re thinking forest green, moss green, or olive. Reds are more muted, soft, and less eye-popping. Examples might be a raspberry, cardinal, or blush red. Yellows are trending warm. Think farmhouse yellow or pale lemon. If there’s one thing Millennials love in their home decoration arsenal, it’s a lemon.
Placement of color is very important as well. If you place that red or yellow in the kitchen, you might find yourself being drawn to the refrigerator more often. Or the pantry. After all, Doritos are “coincidentally” packaged in bright red; their beautiful triangular corn bodies dusted in orange, delicious, definitely not chemically enhanced, cheese substance… Sorry, I was daydreaming for a second there. Living rooms, ah yes, back on track. Living rooms are embracing nature this year. If you take a leisurely stroll through the forest, keep your eyes peeled on the wonderous brushstrokes of Mother Nature. Then, take what you’ve observed and apply it to your living space to invoke the same calm, serene, and agreeable atmosphere. A blend of dark green, light green, and earthy browns, contrasted by bright or antique white can go a long way in obtaining the Earthly serenity your soul is screaming for.
When it comes to custom cabinetry, a space once reserved for toned down greys, browns, and whites, green and black are quickly securing the top spots for homeowners. That friend of yours that wouldn’t be caught dead milking a cow, shearing a sheep, cleaning a pig trough, or building a chicken coop: she’s in love with farmhouse color. That other friend of yours that wears $400 sneakers, puts more product in his hair than a Calvin Klein model, and only wears flannel ironically: he does too.
In the end, trends are trends. They come and go. If you’re in the process of preparing your home for sale, however, it might be beneficial to lean into those trends to entice buyers. Conversely, as a buyer, you know what you like. A less than perfect layout can be opened up by the right use of color. Aesthetic preferences can be the make-or-break moment in a home tour, as innocuous as an orange couch, zebra striped wall, or conservative grey room may seem. As we bid adieu, let me impart some wisdom that may serve you well. When you’re living in your home, create a space that makes YOU feel at home. Whether that’s a tasteful beige, seafoam, Addams Family black, or good old grey. Home is where you PAINT it.
