Living Room Atmospheres: Exploring How Luminance Contrast and Colour Influence Domestic Space

Living rooms are shaped by functional, aesthetic, and socio-economic choices and formed by visual factors such as luminance contrast and colour schemes that create distinct atmospheres. Using a single living room image with digitally manipulated luminance contrast levels and colour schemes (warm, cool, and grey), 35 Turkish participants evaluated the emotional and cognitive effects of these variations. Results indicate that luminance contrast significantly shapes the perception of atmosphere, with higher contrast contributing to more vibrant and lively spaces, while low-contrast grey schemes led to more subdued, negative associations. Gender differences emerged in the perception of certain adjectives, such as ‘depressing’ and ‘uncomfortable’. By examining how visual elements create distinct atmospheres in domestic spaces, this study offers insights relevant to interior design and domestic architecture, contributing to a deeper understanding of how material and sensory elements influence the experience of home environments.