In recent years, I have noticed the tendency – I would say obsession – to painting and suggesting colorless spaces for residential and commercial buildings. I have repeatedly written about the negative effects of this trend on human psychology and health. I could, however, somehow justify the also problematic choices of white and gray as the dominant colors in interiors.
But it takes a lot of ignorance (up to perversion) to suggest or choose black as the dominant color indoors and outdoors! The other day I visited a well-known cafe – wine bar in my Montclair area. The obsession with black reached the limits of compulsion! Apart from the black walls, the black furniture, the black lamps, everything else you can imagine in a space, the dishes, the napkins, the candlesticks and of course the staff uniforms, were black. The absolute lack of inspiration.
My soul got blackened!
The next day, I decided to get rid of the darkness and do something happier and lighter. To visit a new gym that opened relatively close to me. I do some shopping in the bakery first, with the also black facade and awning, which is located next to 4 other stores, with also black facade and awning, 2 cafes and 2 restaurants.
And there is great originality and optimism, but you are not bored! I will go to the gym to open my soul a little. A very sweet and kind gymnast, dressed in black, guides me through the spaces. Modern machines, treadmills and bicycles with wi-fi and large, individual screens for connection to TV and internet, new well-kept spaces. Everything shows that the owner has invested a large amount in his business.
But here too the same pattern – all painted black with the necessary of course for fitness, yellow-green touches! In a place where one goes to spend, to go up psychologically and to fill with energy, the black of depression dominates, the black that drains energy and strength!
Of course, the area where I live has nothing special, so that all business owners have painted them black! We are full of black buildings! Black restaurants and cafes, black kebab shops, black ovens, black gyms, black hotels, black boutiques, black hairdressers, black offices and even black houses!
Wondering why?
But since black is fashionable, how to do it! With so much darkness around us, given the crisis, is it possible for anyone to feel elevated?
Undoubtedly impressive for photography. Depressive and claustrophobic as a space. Especially if you are a receptionist! I am sincerely saddened when I see business premises around me being destroyed and the mood of users collapsing with catastrophic choices.
I wonder, who suggests black as the dominant color in professional spaces that we want to relax, change psychologically and have fun? How is it possible that we do not think with common sense, rushing to follow indiscriminately, whatever new fashion some people place on us, due to imitation and convenience?
Who chooses the absence of light, the absence of joy, the absence of life for his business, condemning his staff and customers?
Effects of black on human psychology
The absence of color implies the absence of emotion and energy. Living in places where color is absent, we risk damaging our mental and physical health. Neither the white spaces, nor those that are dominated by gray are suitable for our mental balance. But especially black is completely unsuitable for interiors.
In nature you will find it difficult to find dark areas on the surface of the earth, except in dark caves and mines. That is, where light can not pass. Even the night sky or the deep waters have dark blue shades. So black is unnatural as an environment for healthy people.
Some of the properties of black:
- Represents the absence of light, as it absorbs all radiation.
- Without light there is no life.
- As a result, it absorbs strength and vitality, causing exhaustion, both mental and physical.
- It is no coincidence that dark and black spaces are usually places of punishment and create fear.
- The black color intensifies the worst we have inside us.
Most find it cold, inhospitable and threatening indoors. It creates feelings of sadness and melancholy (even fear, especially for those who feel claustrophobic) in a matter of seconds. Staying under the influence of black for a long time can seriously undermine our health. It is no coincidence that black is synonymous with mourning in Western societies.
So with the above in mind, how is it possible for someone to choose black as the main color for a space where they will live, work, have fun and receive customers?
Black, a dark and cool painting color that will “cost” you more
Black absorbs all radiation and does not reflect light. For this reason, a relatively small store, with a black facade, easily goes unnoticed. If your goal is to “disappear” a space and make it look smaller and darker, you choose it well. Although I would suggest a dark blue, green or burgundy shade as better alternatives to completely black or dark gray anthracite.
You should also keep in mind that you will spend a lot more money on lighting and space heating.
Does black painting drive away your customers?
Color is the first element we find in a space and its effect is decisive – and subconscious. Few, usually knowledgeable, will find that what bothers them about a space is the color (or shape and layout).
Most users and customers of a business space will simply feel an indefinable, rather negative feeling. They will remember and connect the experience they had in the specific area indifferently or unpleasantly. This is crucial for business premises, where the customer experience plays an equally important (if not more important) role than the services offered.
Especially if it is a place of recreation, relaxation, rest or relaxation, places that customers will spend a lot of time and will visit often, such as a restaurant, cafe, gym, hairdresser, etc. How many of you would leave this hair salon refreshed and in a happy mood? Something would be wrong with you and you would think it is your new haircut! I do not even want to imagine how those who work there feel every day!
So it is very likely that they will associate your space with negative feelings of sadness, discomfort and low energy. Also, details that may not have played a significant role in an environment that predisposes them positively, in a cold and inhospitable space are magnified.
For example, the food may be less palatable, the services you offer may not be satisfying, the lighting and ventilation may bother them, they may be colder and generally more awkward and in a bad mood.
The same, to a greater extent, apply to those who work and spend several hours in an area that is dominated by black, anthracite or bright red. Studies show that the productivity and efficiency of employees is lower in areas where the color gray prevails.
Imagine what happens in a black space!
Finally, by painting a wall black, we rather emphasize its imperfections, rather than hiding them, as is the case with many dark shades when light falls on them.