Ever stepped into a room and felt instantly calmer—or more tense? It might not be the furniture or decor at fault. Scientific research reveals that wall colors play a powerful role in influencing our emotions.
The Australian paint brand Taubmans collaborated with Liminal VR, a virtual reality expert, alongside psychologists and neurologists from Melbourne's Florey Institute for Research in Neuroscience and Mental Health. Their study aimed to uncover the direct link between room colors and the emotions they evoke.
In the experiment, 745 participants used VR headsets to explore three room types—a living room, a waiting room, and an empty room—each virtually painted in five different colors. Afterward, they shared their emotional responses and rated the colors.
Results show pastel tones like lilac, soft water green, and light blue promote soothing calm. Vibrant shades such as orange, pink, and yellow deliver an energizing pep. Dark colors can create a cozy, cocoon-like feel by making spaces seem smaller, but they may trigger sadness for some—ideal for brief-use areas like entrances, hallways, or bathrooms.
Regardless of the hue, consider applying it to just one wall or weaving it into patterns to temper its emotional impact.
