What Your Favorite Color Says About You

What Your Favorite Color Says About You
Photo by Rodion Kutsaev / Unsplash

A question garden designers should ask clients is “what is your favorite color?”. Say the reply is “red”,  don’t assume the designer will create a plant palette featuring red Roses and Carnations. Then, why  should they ask this? As a designer, you should ask because knowing your favorite color, tells you a lot about their personality. Red is the color of fire and blood,  the most ‘intense’ hue, and considered the color of passion. This signifies they are someone who is driven, adventurous and active in life. Often these types of people are extroverts that would prefer a front yard design that stands out from the neighbors, not conforming to a generic template.

Color Chart

Isn’t it interesting, how a simple one-word response to a very easy to answer question reveals so much about someone? In the design world, we often think about color composition and how that can affect the people using that space or product, but do we spend much time thinking about how our affinities to color reflect on us? Here’s what other colors can say about you:

Blue - symbolizes peace and tranquility. People that like blue tend to seek order and calm in their lives. I often find that these types are more attracted to orderly and symmetrically balanced designs.

Green - symbolic of nature, fertility and rebirth. Most outdoorsy types will have an affinity for green or brown and this will lend itself to more natural landscapes that are full of life.

Orange - represents warmth and enthusiasm. This reveals that you tend to have an outgoing and vibrant personality. Very similar to red except that they lean more towards showy designs that are inviting to others, not just making a bold statement.

Yellow - the color of joy and optimism. If this is your favorite color, you enjoy sharing with others, but are eager to emphasize your individuality and don’t take life too seriously. A common trait for this type of personality is a taste for whimsical designs.

White - symbolic of purity and innocence. White personalities tend to desire simplicity and organisation. Similar to blue, but leans more towards minimalist design.

Grey - often associated with bland, grey does not mean this type has no interest in good design, rather they value composure and peace. "Greys" often have good business ability and can be workaholics. I find that this favors conservative design with no exotic flair.

If you’d like to try this, some people don’t know how to answer, but the color of their clothes, accessories or car can reveal a subconscious affinity to a color. By telling the client what their favorite color says about them can be a great way to break the ice and help you figure out what designs work best for that individual.