The Psychology of Flooring Patterns and Colours
Interiors can have a big impact on a room. Whether it’s the layout, design, or colour, they all affect an indoor space's overall appearance and feel. But many will overlook the impact floors can have on the aesthetics of a room.
Photo by Magda Ehlers
What Is the Psychology of Flooring Patterns and Colours?
Research into the psychology of flooring patterns and colours explores the different meanings and connotations that have a psychological effect. Colour and pattern choices can have a strong influence on emotions no matter what flooring option you decide on.
To understand how colours and patterns can influence the human mind, let’s see how the mind registers and reacts to colour. Colour is registered in the brain through light-sensitive cells in the retina at the back of the eyes. A signal is sent to the visual cortex to allow the mind to form images.
Different colours are processed in different areas of the mind, eliciting different feelings and emotions as a result. Colour is also considered one of the most important visual elements as our brains can understand colour much quicker than words.
The Importance of Flooring Patterns and Colour Psychology
Many will be tempted to base their interior design on current trends, but the power of colour and flooring patterns can have a much greater and lasting effect. Trends may come and go, but the psychology of flooring patterns and colours will remain constant.
There’s been endless research into the psychology of colours and patterns and their effect on our
thoughts and behaviour. It shouldn’t be a surprise then that many interior designers will use colour and pattern psychology when designing a room.
Colour has always had a strong impact on the human mind. From influencing our moods to provoking a reaction, the choice of colour is extremely important. Knowing the meanings and the responses colours and flooring patterns can elicit is extremely important for creating the right interior design.
The Psychology of Colour in Flooring
Different colours are associated with different emotions. Colour psychology in flooring can range from colours that help to make a room feel calming and relaxing to other colours that help create an energetic and creative environment.
Let’s take a closer look at the psychology of colour in flooring:
Blue
If you want to create a relaxing and calming space, blue flooring would be the ideal choice. Blue is the colour most associated with calmness and rejuvenation. Gentle shades of blue are an ideal choice to create a comforting and soothing space that helps make a room look bigger.
Blue colours have also been found to help improve concentration, making them a great flooring choice for commercial settings and classrooms. No wonder why blue has become a popular colour choice in commercial settings.
So, if you want to create a calming space that will help you relax and reduce your pulse rate, blue is the choice for you. But remember, blue can reduce your appetite, so it’s not great to use it in kitchen or restaurant settings.
Red
Red is the strongest colour for attracting attention. Not only is the colour red stimulating and
energizing but it can also increase your heart rate. Red is the ideal colour for boosting motivation. Particular shades, such as burgundy, also reflect luxury and wealth.
For anyone looking to design a room interior that boosts drive and determination, red is the ideal choice. It’s a proven fact that a red carpet will lead to showing physical signs of stimulation. Bear in mind that darker tones can make a room appear smaller.
Another reason to consider red flooring is that it increases your appetite. So, consider a nice red carpet for your dining room to create the perfect dining environment. Alternatively, for a commercial environment that needs a little more energy red is an ideal choice.
Green
Green is a colour many will associate with gardens and the outdoors. These colours are soothing, comforting, and gentle. Many people find the green outside comforting and relaxing, and the same applied to interiors too. Using green in your flooring can have the same effect.
If you are looking for a refreshing and calming colour, a green floor will help you accomplish this. With strong links to nature, it’s no surprise that green can help reduce feelings of anxiety. Green is also a colour that is associated with health and renewal, making lighter shades of green ideal for your flooring.
You should avoid using darker shades of green in your flooring. These darker shades can have negative connotations of greed and jealousy. Green makes an ideal flooring choice for living spaces, lounges, and waiting areas. Light shades can also make your room seem bigger too.
Orange
Another colour to consider in flooring psychology is orange. A colour that has connotations of excitement, ambition, and enthusiasm. An orange flooring makes the perfect choice for creating a space that’s energetic and vibrant.
Orange is not as intensive as red, and while the two colours may have similar psychological effects, orange is considered a much more welcoming and friendly colour for a living space. Bright orange flooring makes the perfect choice for playrooms and entertaining spaces.
Alternatively, a darker shade of orange can help create a sense of warmth. Orange flooring also makes an ideal choice for eating spaces, whether dining or restaurants. Too much orange can become overpowering though and can appear aggressive.
Yellow
Our last colour to explore is yellow. Like red and orange, yellow can have an optimistic and uplifting feeling. Besides symbolizing youth and happiness, yellow is a colour that can also be stimulating.
For that reason, yellow can be a good colour to use for office flooring. Mixing and matching with primary colours can help to increase focus. For creative workspaces, yellow is an absolute must for flooring.
Many people will be quick to disregard yellow for their flooring, stating is a colour best suited for kids' rooms. While the colour yellow can be a good choice here, it shouldn’t be ruled out from other living spaces. Be careful to go overboard with yellow though, as depending on the shade, it can come across as cheap.
Photo by Monstera
While colour is extremely important in flooring choices and can have a strong psychological impact, shapes and patterns can be just as important.
Squares
Square shapes and patterns are the most commonly found in flooring choices, whether it's vinyl tiles or carpet tiles. Considered the standard shape of floors, squares are a staple choice for everyday flooring options.
For that reason, the use of square shapes and patterns in flooring can have a steadying and stable feeling. Most likely due to the sense of familiarity we all associate with the shape of flooring, square patterns and shapes help contribute to a trusting and safe environment.
For large and open spaces, using large squares can help to break the space up and signify certain areas. Alternatively, using smaller squares and stripe patterns can make a smaller square space seem longer.
Triangles
Still holding the same familiarity with square shapes and patterns, triangles can be a great choice if you are looking to add a modern and creative twist to your flooring. Some even consider the triangle shape represents success.
Triangle shapes and patterns have become popular within salesrooms and gym spaces to help create a sense of energy and invigorate.
Hexagonal
The hexagonal shape is one most associated with beehives leading to a feeling of harmony and togetherness. If you want to create a space that leads to strong feelings of togetherness and strength, hexagons are the perfect solution.
Hexagonal shapes are geometric, leaving many possibilities for design and colour choices to help make a space unique. Hexagonal shapes can also make a room look larger. For that reason, hexagonal shapes make the perfect choice for floors in communal areas to encourage openness and interaction.
Natural Patterns
Natural patterns, such as wood and stone, have become a popular choice for interior flooring. In addition to these patterns look incredibly stylish, they can also have positive psychological effects.
One of the biggest reasons for replicating the outdoors indoors is the calming and relaxing qualities these designs can have. At the same time, they can also help boost productivity. Research has found that exposure to natural patterns can reduce stress levels by up to 60%.
So, choosing a natural pattern flooring can help to reduce stress, boost attention, and improve mood. No wonder why the use of natural patterns has become so popular in today’s flooring.
Conclusion
Your choice of flooring is important. The lasting and significant impact of colours, shapes, and patterns can have shows why you shouldn’t just make a choice based on current trends. With the psychology of colours and patterns in mind now, you can create a space that looks great and makes you feel great too!
Author: Aaron Middleton
