We see the influence of early color theories in everything from fashion to interior design. While we don’t fully understand why people feel intuitively drawn to certain colors while actively disliking others, geographical location certainly plays a role in the colors we find most attractive. Tuuci’s latest whitepaper explores essential tips for selecting a color palette for every project and implementing it for today’s outdoor environments.
The evolution of color theory in design began centuries ago with Sir Isaac Newton’s color wheel in 1666, followed by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s “Theory of Colors” in 1810, which focused on how colors affect human emotion. Today, we see the influence of these early color theories in everything from fashion to interior design. While we don’t fully understand why people feel intuitively drawn to certain colors while actively disliking others, geographical location certainly plays a role in the colors we find most attractive.
Regional Color Preferences Emerge
As the 21st century began, statistical data emerged about color—and color trends, specifically. Americans knew more about color than any generation before. The design market that had looked to Europe for color direction began to dictate a truly American approach to color.
Regional color preferences emerged and were mostly associated with the biggest metropolitan areas like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. The inevitable sophistication of these densely populated cities generated very identifiable color proclivities. But other regional color trends were springing up in secondary and tertiary cities—color preferences that were dictated, not only by population density, but also location, climate, and even politics. These markets wanted the colors that seemed to align with their values and felt right in their unique environments. The time when big cities with big personalities dictated the colors for the entire country has ended. Now, each region gets a say in how color is approached.
Beachy brights
Warm cities like Los Angeles and Miami embrace all shades of white and light neutrals for inside and out. Oceans and palm trees and the outdoor lifestyle dictate the importance of a light, bright color palette.
Urban landmarks
New York City prefers mid-tone neutrals—shades that pair perfectly with the gritty urban environment. In addition to a penchant for sophisticated neutrals, New Yorkers are not afraid to add avant-garde hues to their design palettes, always with the confidence this complex city is known for. Outdoor spaces in New York City are haven-like but rarely white. They often incorporate plantings and water features to deflect the noise and hard edges of the city.
Midwest modesty
As the bastion of the Midwest mindset, Chicago’s color profile is timeless and somewhat subdued. Outdoor living in Chicago follows the lead of the interior design the city is known for, with a restrained approach to color that is understated and quiet.
Dessert destinations
The intense sun of desert climates in the southwest frequently requires adding a splash of bright color like turquoise or coral to punctuate the endless desert palette. The punishing sun of cities like Palm Springs and Phoenix washes out medium-value hues. Extra bright colors work as a counterbalance in these exceptionally sunny environments.
Rain effects
Cities with grey weather like Seattle and Portland tend toward mid-range neutrals mixed with sharper hues like chartreuse and lemon—colors that can lift moods and stand up to the overcast skies.
Though differences in climate, physical location, and general vibe distinguish these varying geographic locations, there remains today a common thread running throughout: a neutral palette forms the foundation to which a color story is built. The personality of the selected neutrals is influenced by location. For example, neutrals in Arizona replicate the hues of desert sands. But across regions, it’s widely accepted practice to select a neutral palette as a foundational layer, and build a color palette from there that further reflects the regional identity.
When looking at outdoor living trends today, color is used to define areas and establish boundaries between the outdoor living space, and the environment beyond. Colors used outdoors are often a continuation or variation of adjacent interior colors. They can also send a subtle signal about the setting and whether it be coastal, mountain, beach or urban. Combining neutrals with color has become the design benchmark for outdoor living—no matter which geographic region we examine. It is then the selection of colors that are added to the fundamental neutral palette that connects the outdoor environment to its surroundings and provides a hint as to location.
In Tuuci’s latest whitepaper, “Coloring the Outdoors,” we explore essential design tips for selecting a color palette and skillfully layering neutrals with secondary and tertiary colors. Whether creating an intimate space for a personal residence or public outdoor amenity spaces for restaurants, hotels or multifamily residences, the goal is to connect the outdoor design with interior environments, visually linking the spaces and creating a smooth transition from one to another.
Download Coloring the Outdoors to learn more about selecting and layering colors for today’s outdoor designs.
