Most people know that colors with an undertone, like blue or purple, are considered cool-toned, while those with a base, like red or yellow, are warm-toned. What remains a mystery is how spending time surrounded by those colors can affect you and your guests and why. According to Mental Health America, the answer lies in color psychology. Psychologically, light, bright, warm-toned neutrals are stimulating. In other words, being around them can make people more energized, active, and social.
In comparison, cool-toned neutrals have the opposite effect. These colors elicit a feeling of tranquility and an urge to rest and retreat, meaning any room you plan to entertain or socialize in regularly needs a warm element. As David Bromstad said in “My Lottery Dream Home,” “When you put some sort of wood accent with any sort of something very clean, there’s a relatability to it that’s really nice (via YouTube).”