Color and the Environment

Color can actually save money and have a positive effect on the environment.

Light colors reflect heat, while dark colors absorb it. So in addition to the mood you want to create, think about what physical effect color will have on your environment.

We all know from experience that this is true for the outside of buildings and cars, which readily absorb sunlight if coated in a layer of dark paint. But what about the interior of buildings? The simple answer is “yes.”

Lighting is one of the major consumers of energy in a home or office. Dark colors absorb more light, making a room look darker. Light colors reflect light, making a room look lighter and brighter. You can use the LRV (light reflectance value) to determine how much light a color will reflect compared to another color. The higher the LRV the more light is reflected.