Color Psychology: How Blue Builds Trust and Red Drives Buying
Colors guide our subconscious. Which tones fit finance and which fit food? Trends for 2026.
Why are Facebook, LinkedIn and most banks blue? Because blue is the evolutionary color of stability (clear sky, calm water). Why are discounts red? Because red raises blood pressure and creates urgency.
Colors and conversion
HubSpot’s famous A/B test showed a red button got 21% more clicks than a green button. Does that mean all buttons should be red? No.
The key is contrast. If your page is mostly red, a red button disappears. The “isolation effect” (Von Restorff) says we remember what stands out.
2026 color trends: “Digital Lavender”
After years of black‑and‑white minimalism, the world is looking for emotion again.
- Digital Lavender: Calm and stability in a chaotic digital world.
- Gen‑Z Yellow: Optimism and energy. Often used by tech brands.
- Deep Green: Sustainability and luxury.
Cultural context
Color meaning isn’t universal. White means purity in the West (weddings) but mourning in the East (funerals). Purple was historically royal (the pigment was the most expensive), which is why it still signals luxury today.
The 60‑30‑10 rule in interiors and web:
60% is the primary color (background), 30% is the secondary (text/images) and 10% is the accent (CTA buttons). It creates harmony.
FAQ: Choosing colors
How many colors are too many? +
More than 3–4 creates a “rainbow effect” and looks cheap. A minimalist palette (monochrome) is always safe.
How do I pick colors for dark mode? +
Don’t use the same saturated colors on black — they “vibrate.” Dark mode needs a softer, less intense palette.
Choose the right colors
We analyze your brand and find a palette that not only looks good, but sells.
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