Chromotherapy: how to incorporate healing into our designs

Chromotherapy is based on the idea that different colors evoke different responses. Color and lighting can be useful healing tools in combating an arrays of ailments both physical and emotional. This concept dates back to ancient Egyptians who used sun-activated solarium rooms constructed with colored glass for therapeutic purposes.

Colors that create an aesthetic feeling together are in harmony. Color theory has described “warm” colors to advance or appear more active in a painting, while cool colors tend to recede; used in interior design, warm colors are said to stimulate the viewer, while cool colors calm and relax.

The monochromatic formula chooses only one color. Variations of colors are created by changing the value and saturation of the color. Since only one hue is used, the color and its variations are guaranteed to have an effect.

The effects of color should be carefully considered when designing and constructing rooms for individuals who may be more sensitive to color due to heightened sensory responses and strong visual processing abilities.