Color Psychology in 2025 Interior Design

Colors are not merely the paint one uses to dress their space, they are a determinant of our psychology and a critical element of our perception. We will explore why color influences our perception through the use of color illusions and how you can apply them to create beautiful interior designs.

• White Walls

White walls are highly reflective, bouncing light around the room more effectively than darker colors, this increased light distribution makes spaces appear brighter and more open.

White walls also create a sense of uninterrupted space making the boundaries between walls ceiling and floors less defined, this lack of visual interruption promotes a feeling of expansiveness. Without contrasting colors to provide visual markers, our ability to perceive distance is impaired, making the space appear larger.

White is also associated with purity, cleanliness and simplicity, these associations can also influence our perception of space making it feel not just larger but also more serene and less cluttered.

This technique is perfect when you want to maximize light. This can be the case for all rooms, but some rooms are more desperate for this intervention than others. Small rooms tend to be darker, picking white or a light color scheme would make the space feel a lot bigger than it actually is. Another great candidate are rooms facing north. As they never get direct sunlight, you want to maximize the light you do get by choosing white as a wall color.

• Dark Ceiling

In interior spaces featuring white or lighter shades of colored walls paired with a darker ceiling, the general perception is that the room feels lower and more intimate because dark colors absorb light reducing visual lift that lighter colors provide. The contrast between light walls and a dark ceiling accentuates this feeling making it a more dominant element in the visual field. It is an easy yet underrated technique. It works well in living and dining spaces but also in corridors, workspaces and bathrooms.

This approach is particularly effective in halls with tall (at least 3m tall) ceiling where we desire a feeling of coziness. By adding pattern and color to tall ceilings, it also raises the eye and really help you take in the space. If your ceilings are below that, this intervention will be ineffective as it will feel like the ceiling is sitting on top of your head.

With this technique, any tall room can become a cozy and sophisticated space.

• Dark Ascent Walls

An ascent wall helps the eye focus on the back element and creates the illusion of depth and scale. This effect can make a space feel longer and directs attention to the far end of the room. In smaller rooms, using a dark color on one of the walls can add a sense of depth, making the room appear longer and directing focus to the end of the space.

A dark wall can also serve as a dramatic backdrop for artwork, architectural features or furniture by drawing your attention and making these elements stand out. Dark ascent walls could be interesting behind the bed, behind a couch adding for visual weight to the living area. Another good location for an ascent wall is opposite to the entrance of the room as this will give the eye an anchor point that guides you into the space.

• Dark Ceiling and Dark Ascent Walls

A room where the ceiling and the wall directly in front are painted a dark color while the walls on the left and the right sides are white, makes the space feel wider. Lighter side walls can reflect more light to give the illusion of expanding sideways making the room feel broader. This contrast with the darker ceiling and front wall directs the eye upward and forward, potentially influencing the perceived dimensions.

This technique is often used in narrow and small rooms, such as corridors and galleries as enhancing their width and a sense of openness are desired outcomes.

• White Ceiling and White Ascent Wall

On the opposite end, when the ceiling and the wall directly in front are painted white, while the walls on the left and the right side are dark, it makes the space feel narrower. Dark colors on side walls absorb more light and can visually push the walls inward creating a visual effect where the side walls feel more pronounced and closer together.

This technique is good for transition spaces such as corridors, where you want to encourage the movement forward as it helps the eye focus forward.

• Painted Lower Thirds

Painting the lower third of the walls in a darker color than the upper side can draw the eye to the bottom side of the room and introduces a strong horizontal line that compresses the room to some extent. The darker color also provides a visual grounding effect making the space feel anchored and cohesive. By keeping the upper two-thirds of the walls and the ceiling white maximizes light reflection and maintains an airy feel in the upper part of the room. This can counteract feelings of constriction caused by darker lower walls maintaining a sense of openness at the eye level and above.

This is also used as a form of protection on high traffic areas. High traffic areas are corridors or dining areas where the back of chairs might get slammed against the wall. In combination with the protection of shear rails, this can prevent the walls from appearing worn down.

On the other hand, a space that is narrow with a tall ceiling can feel uncomfortable to be in. By applying a pastel color on the lower third or half of the wall, it can assist in lowering the ceiling height visually making the space feel less imposing, more proportionate and more welcoming.

In spaces intended for relaxation, slightly darker lower walls can enhance the feeling of coziness and comfort, making the space feel more intimate.

• All Walls and Ceilings in a Dark Color

Using dark colors on all the walls and ceiling can make a space feel smaller cozier and more intimate because dark colors absorb more light than they reflect. They are also perceived as having more visual weight. This means that when they are used extensively, they can make boundaries of a room feel closer and more pronounced. Dark colors can invoke feelings of coziness and security in small doses, but mainly through the feelings of confinement when used extensively.

This is why this technique is used in large rooms with high ceilings as they give the feeling of coziness while still feeling spacious. Dark walls can make bedrooms darker and therefore support sleep at all hours of the day, particularly useful for people who travel frequently or work in night shifts.

In guest bathrooms, this can add a sense of luxury and depth to a bathroom especially when paired with right lighting and fixtures. In dining or living rooms, it can be used to create a romantic ambience by creating a dramatic and intimate dining atmosphere, enhancing the social experience.

These are just some of the many ways that color can influence our mood and perceptions and how you can strategically use them to evoke specific emotions and visual effects. Our interior designers apply techniques based on color psychology to select the perfect hues to create representations of your inner self in your spaces.

Contact us today for a free consultation and take the first step toward a kitchen that inspires. Your dream kitchen is just a call away!

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