How to Choose Bathroom Paint Color, According to a Psychologist

Photo by me through Midjourney. yellow is a warm, optimistic color that energizes. the warm pink tiles with the yellow paint create an energetic and cheerful Vibe.

Often when people have asked me the best color for a particular room, I’ve struggled to answer because colors can affect each of us differently.  I’ve since attempted to narrow down a few considerations when choosing colors for specific rooms, starting with the bathroom. So if you’re interested in how to choose bathroom paint color, according to a psychologist, read on. 

Let’s start with some basic info about color. Color is characterized by wavelengths of visible light. The sensation we experience when objects reflect light is what we recognize as color. When light hits an object all the colors get absorbed except the one we see. So when we see orange, all the other colors have been absorbed with the exception of orange.  Full absorption is black and full reflection is white. 

For simplicity, colors can be divided into warm and cool colors. Warm colors like red, orange, and yellow are longer wavelengths; and cool colors like blue, green, and purple are shorter wavelengths. Long wavelength colors hit the retina for a longer period of time, and tend to energize and excite us. On the other hand, short wavelength colors hit the retina for a shorter period of time, putting less strain on the eye. They tend to calm us. To complicate things even more, a hue, the basic attribute of the color we see (like red or green) can be cooler or warmer depending on what other colors it is mixed with. 

Photo by me through Midjourney. THis Glossy Red is sure to stimulate sleepy mornings.

Beyond our basic physiological responses to color, we also have cultural and personal experiences with color that affect our reaction to it. Researchers have used the term Ecological Valence Theory (EVT) to explain how shared ecological experiences result in near universal associations between colors and emotions. For instance, many of us associate yellow with the sun and perceive the color as optimistic. But this may not be the case in hot, dry climates like Egypt where the sun can feel more antagonistic than optimistic. Essentially, we tend to prefer colors associated with things we like. This can explain why many of us are drawn to turquoise and watery greens that remind us of the sea, airy freshness, and/or cleanliness. 

Beyond near universal pairings between colors and emotions, we also have our personal experiences with color. If a color reminds us of a bad experience we’ve had, we will likely have an adverse reaction to it, even if it is generally considered a pleasant color.

Now that we’ve gotten the basics of color out of the way, let’s consider how we approach choosing a color for bathrooms. First, we need to answer some questions about the characteristics of the bathroom. Here are some to start with but you may have more.

1. Is it a communal bathroom, the only one in the house?

2. Is the bathroom one to luxuriate in, or is it wash and go?

3. What is the mood you want for your bathroom?

4. Are there windows in the bathroom or is it purely artificial light?

5. If your bathroom has a window, what direction does it face, north, south, east, or west?

6. If your bathroom has purely artificial light, is it cooler or warmer light?

Photo by me through midjourney. This cool, minty green may possibly soothe tough work days.

So if there is only one bathroom in the house and others are fighting for it, then possibly consider a warmer color, a stimulating one that prevents people in the house from lingering. Research shows that red tends to increase perceptions of speed, making time seem to go faster. On the other hand, if you want bathtime to be a luxurious experience, consider cooler colors like blue, green, or purple, and in deeper shades. The deeper tones have richness and weight, and can feel supportive. For a wash and go bathroom others aren’t fighting over, still choose a more stimulating color as mentioned above. 

Once you’ve determined the function, you’ll also need to determine the mood. Do you want it to feel homey and cute, cool and minimal, elegant and chic, dramatic and sexy, or something else? Warmer or cooler colors will work for any mood, but it is the way these colors are used that will give the mood you are looking for. For instance, homey and cute may be reflected through bright and balanced, complementary colors; and dramatic and sexy may be reflected through one bold color. Keep in mind that complementary or contrasting colors will also be more stimulating; and colors on the same side of the color wheel will feel less intense and more soothing.

If there are no windows in the bathroom, you’ll need to consider the artificial light used. Soft, white light is known to make warm paint colors more intense since it picks up the warm tones in the soft light. Cooler paint colors appear more dull since the soft light doesn’t pick up the cooler tones. Fluorescent lights are known for giving off a bluish color, and share similar temperatures to cooler paint colors. If you have fluorescent lights, consider using cooler paint colors to give a harmonious atmosphere, and intensify the cooler colors. 

If your bathroom has windows, you’ll want to consider that south-facing windows get the most light and heat, and north-facing windows receive the least light. East-facing windows are lightest in the morning, and give off cool light, whereas west-facing windows receive the most light in the afternoon, and the light is strong and hot. As follows, if your bathroom gets lots of warm sunlight, consider using warmer paint colors. The warm sunlight will enhance the wall color, creating a unifying feel. Similarly, cooler sunlight will enhance cooler paint colors.

But maybe you want something other than a unifying feel; and are looking for a dynamic contrast or visual interest. If so, pair warmer paint colors with cooler natural or artificial light, or warmer paint colors with cooler natural or artificial light.

Photo by me through Midjourney. This crimson glossy red has deeper, cooler blue or purple tones making it a bit more soothing.

Again, the answer to how to choose bathroom paint color is a complex one that depends on our physiological responses to color, cultural and personal experiences with it, the context in which the color is presented, the unique qualities of the room, and the function of the room. Here is a checklist/summary to make it easier. Consider the following:

• The function and desired mood of the bathroom

Consider the function of the bathroom when making a decision about warmer or cooler paint colors. Warmer colors excite and energize, and entice people to move more quickly; and cooler colors calm and relax us, causing us to linger longer. Note that any color can be warmer or cooler, or have warmer or cooler undertones (like in the case of neutral colors).  Next, determine the mood you want (e.g., homey, minimal, elegant, sexy). This will help you decide how you use the colors (e.g., complementary colors may feel homey and cute).

• Your cultural and personal experiences with color.  

Consider your ecological experiences with color as well as your personal experiences with it. For instance, green may remind you of nurturance and stability, or it may remind you of bad shag carpeting. If you are adverse to green, consider that there may be some shades of green you can tolerate that may be cooler or warmer.

• The direction of the windows and temperature of the artificial light.

For a unifying experience, natural light (warmer or color) or artificial light should be the same temperature as the wall color. For a contrasting, visually stimulating experience,  you can contrast natural or artificial light with the wall color.

Hopefully these considerations resonate with you and/or you may have some new ones to add. Either way, let’s discuss, how do you choose bathroom paint color?

4 Wardrobe Color Palettes That Will Get You Excited About Your Outfit

What colors in your wardrobe do you tend to wear the most? Some of us lean towards black or neutrals, others of us tend to choose bright colors, and the rest of us fall somewhere in between. The reasons for our color preferences may be as varied as our idiosyncrasies. Color consultant, Karen Haller says in her book, The Little Book of Colour, that when we perceive color, light waves pass through the same parts of the brain responsible for emotions. So color is very much an emotional experience, and if we’re looking to get excited about our outfit, we can do it through using different wardrobe color palettes.  

In a previous post, I mentioned that any time we see a color, our reaction is based upon a combination of factors like our physiological response to color, our personal and cultural associations with it, and the context in which it’s presented. So when people say they don’t like a certain color, it’s an emotional response that can be attributable to a number of experiences they’ve had with the color, and they may not even be fully aware of all of them. What’s more,  their perception can change depending on the specific mixture of the hue and the other colors the hue is paired or grouped with. 

Personally, I tend to like any color that’s presented in an interesting way. When I feel like I have nothing to wear, challenging myself to come up with different and refreshing color combos can be a way to create a more positive emotional experience. So if you’re looking to get out of a color rut, try these color palettes to get excited about your outfit.

Monochromatic Color Palette

A monochromatic color palette is made up of one hue. When we think of a monochromatic outfit we may think of a single mix of a color, and this could feel very limiting. But one hue can have many different presentations when you mix in hints of black (shades), gray (tones), and/or white (tints), all of which give a different feel from moody to cheerful. Here’s my take on a  burgundy color scheme with a mix of tints (e.g., pink and blossom). The color mix keeps it from feeling monotone, although that could be a look too. 

Achromatic Color Palette

If you’re not into bright colors, an achromatic color palette may be great for you. It’s an outfit with no color; and consists only of black, white, or gray. It’s dramatic with a cool, urban vibe. And you can add different textures to the no-color scheme for interest. Here, I mix in leather to play up the edgy appeal. 

Complementary Color Palette

Complementary colors just fit–literally. When you mix two equal amounts of complementary colors, such as red and green, they create a perfect balance, neutralizing each other to form brown.  They’re colors on opposite sides of the color wheel; and when worn together, they intensify each other. For my complementary pairing, I chose bright yellow and light blue for a delicate, whimsical feel. 

Analogous Color Palette

Analogous colors, like red and orange, are next to each other on the color wheel. It’s been said that unlike complementary colors which intensify each other, analogous colors soften the other. I always feel there’s an interesting tension with analogous colors, perhaps because it lacks color contrast and appears almost imbalanced or tonal. For my analogous colors, I chose deep blue (minus the shoes) and green. Because there is no bright focal point in an analogous color scheme, there’s nowhere to balance out the eye; and I think this creates a kind of boldness that makes the color pairing appealing. 

What color palettes are you drawn to and why? Feel free to share it with us.

Clothing Style Confidence

It’s that time of year when we are thinking about our fall wardrobe and ways to incorporate transitional pieces into the upcoming season. While some of us have no problems getting our wardrobe in order, others of us may struggle a little with putting it all together. Maybe you worry about finding pieces that are stylish but not overly trendy; worry about finding pieces that reflect the image you want to project; or have concerns about finding pieces that flatter your body.

If you have any of these worries, you may lack clothing style confidence. According to a 2018 article, clothing style confidence is described as confidence in the way “people express themselves with clothing and accessories.” Those with clothing style confidence value appearance, yet aren’t “slaves” to fashion. They tend to choose pieces that are timeless, and reflect “authenticity”, “individuality” and “self-expression.” They have a sense of what flatters their body; enjoy being creative with their clothing; and know how to mix and match pieces in ways that create multiple outfits. Their closet is well organized which helps them develop outfits easier. And they maintain their clothing well which contributes to longevity, a hallmark of sustainable consumption.

Clothing Style confidence: Getting your closet organized  

If clothing style confidence sounds like something you might need this fall and beyond, a good place to start is your closet. What do you have, what do you need to let go, and what do you need to buy? 

What do you have?

Let’s focus on the state of your closet. Is it overflowing with clothes you’ve never worn, filled with clothes that look the same, or crammed with ill-fitting pieces?

One way to tackle a disorganized closet is to first figure out what type of lifestyle you want to have. Choose 3 main areas that are important to you—maybe career, relationships, and health; and organize your wardrobe around those areas. For instance, a wardrobe suitable for work may be something that’s important to you; and if you’re looking to grow your relationships, perhaps you need outfits for nights out or weekends. And if you’re into strengthening your body, you may be looking to add workout gear to your wardrobe. Identifying these three areas will help you to better decide what to let go of and what to keep. 

What are you going to let go?

The next step is to purge your closet. While there isn’t one way to do it, it should be done in a manageable way so as to increase your chances of success. One way is to get garbage bags or baskets for clothes you no longer wear. One set of bags will be for clothes that are damaged in some way and can’t be worn as is; and the others will be for clothes that can be worn but no longer fit, are outdated, or some other reason. In order to practice sustainable habits, you want to avoid just throwing these clothes in the trash. Consider how the clothes can be repurposed (dish rag, pillow?), or have them recycled.

How are you going to put your clothes back?

Once you’ve removed unwanted clothes, put the remaining clothes back in your closet. But  don’t just put them back haphazardly, organize them in a useful way. One way to do it is to consider the three main areas, career, relationships, and health; and assemble outfits that fit those areas . Keep in mind that these outfits can be changed and one outfit may fit multiple areas, but it helps you to start thinking about what can go with what. When you’ve created these outfits, you can put them back in your closet as outfits organized according to the three main areas.

You can also choose to go department store style. That is, create a section for shirts, pants, dresses, etc…And you may choose to color-coordinate the sections or arrange them by type, i.e., work shirts, weekend shirts. If you arrange them by type, keep in mind that there will likely be some overlap as many clothing pieces are versatile. For instance, some clothing may be able to be worn both to work and to the gym. 

Once you have your closet organized, you can better determine what pieces you need. But before you accumulate more clothes, be sure you know what pieces enhance your body image. This may be something you’ve already got covered, but if the concept of body image triggers complex emotions, here are some things to consider. 

Clothing Style confidence: Body image/Type

Know how you feel about your body

Before you focus on what flatters your body, it helps to be clear on how you feel about it, or how you feel about yourself in your body. These are complex issues that may take some time to unpack; but it helps to start thinking about it, and how it impacts the way you dress. A 2015 study showed that those with a poor body image are less inclined to purge their closets because it requires them to engage with their clothes, and perhaps determine fit– something they’d rather not think about. As a result, their closets remain disorganized, and they cope in maladaptive ways such as purchasing more clothes they either don’t need or won’t wear; or just wear the same few pieces repeatedly. 

So if you have body image issues that make it difficult for you to begin dressing for your body, you’ll want to start addressing it in the healthiest way possible. This way you can begin to appreciate your body (even if you don’t love it yet) and dress it in a way that makes you feel your best— a necessary component of confident personal style. According to the 2018 article, those with clothing style confidence have what they call “aesthetic perceptual ability.” That’s basically a fancy way of saying they know what looks good on them, and can put clothes together in an aesthetically pleasing way. Of course what’s aesthetically pleasing to one person may not be aesthetically pleasing to another. But if you wear something you like and feel good in, and others respond positively to it, it’s a good sign you’ve tapped into a sense of style that inspires others. 

Be aware of the different body type systems

While the concept of dressing for your body is something we generally espouse; the concept of body type itself can be controversial, and there are varying opinions about how bodies should be categorized. One of the most well-known body type systems focuses on silhouettes and body parts. They consist of five body types including hourglass, apple, pear, rectangle, and inverted triangle. Generally speaking, this body type system focuses on creating balance with the hourglass shape as the standard. And the clothing recommendations typically involve helping you create balance by hiding problem areas. So if you are an inverted triangle shape, it’s recommended to wear clothing that adds curves or volume on the bottom in order to balance out the wider top.  

Another fairly popular, but perhaps lesser known body type system is the Kibbe body types. This system, developed by David Kibbe, was created to address some of the problems associated with the idea that certain clothes are suitable for only one body type. It focuses on the way our body moves in clothes; and argues that clothing is flattering if it embraces our “essence” and is well-integrated into our sense of style. The Kibbe body types focus on the softness (referred to as yin) and structure (yang) of our natural body shape; and includes five main types and 13 subcategories. The main types include dramatic, classic, gamine, natural, and romantic; and it recommends we choose clothes that harmonize with our body. Special attention is paid to the lines and drape of the clothing  to ensure it complements our shape and uniqueness. For instance, a dramatic is thought to be tall and angular with little to no softness. So the recommendation is to wear sharp, geometric clothing with crisp tailored pieces and vertical lines to enhance the height and angularness of the body.  

A quick internet search will show a host of other body type systems, and all have been critiqued in some way. You may find one that works for you, or you may take bits and pieces of several and apply them. While others can give input, it’s ultimately up to you to define, embrace, and dress your body. Maybe you’ve decided you’re a pear shape (wider at the top than the bottom) and also fall under the category of natural (considered a “soft yang” with angular, blunt edges). As recommended, you can decide to wear clothing that balances out your top (e.g., voluminous tops); or you can focus on your “blunt edges,” and choose clothing with relaxed, loosely constructed silhouettes. Overall, learning what most flatters your body is an ongoing work in progress, particularly as we get older and our body shape changes. But once you have a working understanding of what looks good on you, you can dress with increased confidence.

Note: If you are looking for stats on how body image issues are impacted by social media, particularly among younger audiences, check out this resource on social media addiction and mental health issues, lanierlawfirm.com/social-media-addiction/statistics/.

Clothing Style confidence: Shopping on a budget

Make a list

Once you begin figuring out what suits your body, you can make a list of the clothing items you want to buy. Of course, you’ll want your list to be informed by research. One approach is to do an internet search of the pieces you need and figure out what you like. This is purely about waking up your sensibilities so don’t worry about price tags, just take note of the pieces that speak to you. Next, do comparative research to see if the pieces you like come at different price points. This way you can be an informed shopper; and better prepared to shop on a budget. 

Shop anywhere

When you’re shopping with a limited budget, consider low budget or discount shops. You’ll be surprised at what you can find at Walmart or discount stores. In this age of the world wide web, nothing is new, and you’ll be hard pressed to find clothing no one else has access to. So it’s not so much about what you buy but how you style it. 

And don’t rule out vintage or thrift stores (which I love). While you may be able to find more one-of-kind pieces there, keep in mind that it might be difficult to build a capsule wardrobe within a short period of time from vintage stores, particularly if you have specific ideas of what you want. The art of vintage shopping is to have loose expectations because you never know what you’ll find. So while it’s possible to create a wardrobe full of vintage pieces, it’s not likely something that will happen in one month. And a modern wardrobe has a mix of vintage and new pieces to create freshness. So focus on getting the clothes you need and mix it in with great vintage pieces as you find them. 

While shopping, it’s also important to choose pieces that will enhance your wardrobe. This involves identifying at least 2 other pieces in your wardrobe that each new piece will go with. This makes the pieces more versatile and an asset to your wardrobe. More than that, try to buy clothing that can be worn past one season. According to the 2018 article, those with clothing style confidence purchase clothes that can be used for a long time, and tend to opt for timeless styles. So if you are looking to build a wardrobe that doesn’t need to be switched up every season for the latest trend, consider buying staples pieces that you can wear long-term along with one or two trends you enjoy.

Consider color 

It’s true that the colors you wear have an impact on you and others. But the effect of color is complex, and its impact is attributable to a number of factors like our physiological responses to color, our cultural associations with it, our personal experiences with it, and the context in which it’s presented. Generally speaking, warm colors like red, orange, and yellow energize us while cool colors like green, blue, and purple relax us. For example, if you are looking to exude energy you may choose a warm color like orange. And if you are looking to exude a more calming presence, you may gravitate towards cooler colors. 

With budget in mind, you’ll want to consider the colors you purchase so you can spend your money wisely. Neutral colors like black, white, gray, or tan, can be subdued or dramatic. They act as background music when paired with brighter colors, and reinforce the characteristics of those colors. So while you need a variety of colors, you’ll want to make sure you have a fair share of neutrals as they can typically be worn with many other clothing pieces. Essentially, consider the colors you are drawn to, be sure to include neutrals, and know how to wear colors in ways that bring about the impact you are looking for. If you find you don’t have enough of your desired colors in your wardrobe, be sure to target them when shopping.

Decorating with Green: 1 Couch 2 Ways

Hey There! How have you been? I've been busy with my design psychology consulting service, working my full-time job, and being a mom of course. Working on my consulting service has really been a refreshing outlet, and I've been thinking a lot about how we can use our homes to encourage psychological, social, and spiritual well-being. So when the folks over at Douglas Elliman Florida Real Estate asked me to create a style board post in honor of Pantone's 2017 color of the year-- greenery, I thought it was a fun opportunity to think about how I would use green given its benefits. Used in moderation, green is life-affirming, and symbolizes new beginnings, growth, and vitality-- all the things that come to mind when we think of spring. And this definitely resonates with me because I'm constantly looking for ways to grow and reach my potential.

Green is such an accessible color because you can find it everywhere in nature. And there are a couple ways you can take green. If you know a little something about color, you may know that pairing complementary colors gives a feeling of excitement while pairing colors close on the color wheel tends to give a feeling of calm. So if you want to create excitement when using greenery or another shade of green, pair it with reds and oranges, or some variation like purple or fuchsia. On the other hand if you are looking for relative calm, trying pairing green with blue or yellow. I created two living rooms with a gorgeous green couch I've been wanting for a while, although at almost $10,000 I'll be happy with a less expensive option. It's a few shades deeper than greenery but you can get a feel for how green might work with colors to create a room that is more exciting or a room that's more calm. Check it out below.

Pair greens with fuchsias and/or oranges for a feeling of excitement.

Pair green with blues and yellows for a more calming effect.

Which room do you think is more you? As you can see I incorporated plants which is a great, easy, and inexpensive way to add greenery to your décor. What other colors do you like to pair with green?

Sources:

Room 1

1. rug 2. couch 3. coffee table 4. picture 5. plant 6. books 7. chairs 8. side table 9. lamp 10. floors 11. window   12. pillows 13. curtains

Room 2

1. rug 2. picture 3. chairs 5. lamp 6. pillows 7. curtains