Last Updated on September 18, 2021 by April
The different porch light colors are meant to have different meanings. The most common is that if your front porch light is on, it’s okay to stop by for a visit. If the porch light is off, then it means that you should stay away from that home or place of residence.
The Psychology of Porch Light Colors
The psychology of colors is a fascinating subject. The meaning and symbolism behind specific colors are often more complex than they may seem on the surface. For example, white is traditionally associated with peace, purity, innocence, or simplicity but can also symbolize emptiness or death depending on the context in which it’s used. Red has many meanings including danger, love, anger, and passion to name just a few. Green is often seen as being linked to nature because of its association with plants and trees while blue can be symbolic of both faithfulness and tranquility due to its link to the sea.
However, there are some general rules that most people agree on when it comes to color symbolism: Warm colors are typically associated with emotions such as happiness or anger while cool colors are typically linked with feelings such as sadness or calmness. Colors that stimulate people and cause strong reactions such as fear or excitement typically emit warm energy while colors associated with peace and relaxation tend to be cooler in tone.
This is why it’s not surprising that most homeowners choose to install white outdoor light bulbs because it helps them convey a sense of peace and serenity. White lights also look brighter than other colors when they’re shining against a dark backdrop like nighttime clouds, making it easier for guests to find their way down the path if they need help getting to your front door at night.
If you want to use your porch bulb color choice as a type of messaging to guests or if you want your porch light to convey a certain type of emotion to other people, knowing which colors are associated with specific feelings can help you make the right choice.
White
Warm porch lights are typically white which is supposed to create a clean and inviting feeling of home. Some of the negative feelings that people experience in response to white lighting are that it can be uncomfortable or unnerving.
Blue
Blue light can be useful for increasing productivity and decreasing anxiety, however, you should be careful about using blue light at night if you have insomnia.
Blue lights are the worst for sleep. They emit a blue light that can disrupt your natural circadian rhythm. Blue light tells your brain that it’s time to be awake rather than go to sleep. The blue spectrum of light has been shown to inhibit or reduce melatonin secretion in humans, which is why it’s important to avoid it before bedtime.
Green
Many people perceive green as an “open for business” or “inviting” color. It is said to be an emotionally satisfying color and make people feel calm and more comfortable. Green also represents balance and growth.
Orange
Orange is a color that can be perceived as energizing. It’s also seen as cheerful and welcoming. But it will ensure that people know that home is a comfortable, happy place.
Light purple
Light purple porch lights are typically seen as a safe and welcoming color. Studies show that those who perceive this color as such, also feel as if they can relax and be themselves. Purple’s soothing effects help to reduce anxiety and hostility. It is the uplifting blend of red and blue light that has been shown to be one of the most therapeutic colors because it creates feelings of calmness and openness.
Warm yellow
Warm yellow light gives the feeling of warmth and comfort. It has been shown to affect your mood in a positive way because it can decrease feelings of anxiety. The color yellow is associated with joy, happiness, creativity, freshness, and energy.
Pink
The color pink has been shown to have a significant impact on the level of aggression felt by people. A study was conducted which exposed aggressive subjects to the color pink. This allowed the subjects to decrease the levels of aggression up until levels that were observable before they were exposed to the light.
What Your Porch Light Color Conveys to Visitors
There are also some who believe the color of your front porch light has an influence on what type of people come around your home.
White Porch Lights
White lights mean you want all visitors to feel welcome and comfortable in your home. This option welcomes everyone despite their age, ethnicity, or religion. White lights are known as being ‘earthy.’ They are also said to somewhat resemble traditional Christmas lights which are white during December.
Green Porch Lights
Green lighting shows not only does the owner of the home have a deep respect for nature, but they also want to show this by inviting respectful visitors who are environmentally conscious. Green lights are also sometimes linked with St. Patrick’s Day.
Yellow Porch Lights
Yellow lighting means the owner of the house is looking for fun-loving people to come to visit them. A yellow porch light means you are looking to meet new people and see what everyone has to offer.
Red Porch Lights
Red light bulbs in your front porch light indicate that the owner of the home does not welcome any visitors whatsoever. This can be due to various reasons; one reason may be safety concerns. Red lighting is thought by most that it is meant for exclusive use only. Anyone caught visiting under red lighting will more than likely you unwelcome in most places around the neighborhood.
Blue Porch Lights
Blue lighting shows that the owner of the home wants visitors who are honest and respectable. It’s said that blue light is a favorite among law enforcement personnel. However, they can still visit under other colors as well. They simply want to know that they’re safe from harm when stopping by your place of residence.
Amber Porch Lights
Amber lights mean you want all visitors to come with good intentions. The homeowner is looking for help in some way shape or form and has decided to increase their odds of finding it by increasing their visibility at night time through this porch light color choice.
Orange Porch Lights
Orange lighting means you prefer visitors who don’t mind partying late into the night. When choosing orange as your porch light color, this tells those passing by that there is a party in there somewhere and everyone is invited.
Pink Porch Lights
Pink lighting says that the homeowner is looking for loyal friends. Visiting under pink porch lights will not be taken at face value by most neighbors, simply because they want to know you mean no harm before they come over to meet you.
Purple Porch Lights
Purple lighting simply wants to show visitors how spiritual its owner is. When purple lighting welcomes you, it’s a sign of good luck and fortune about to come your way. This option also encourages anyone passing by or going out on the town to have a good time.
Quick Reference Guide:
White – Wants all visitors comfortable and welcome
Green – Likes environmentally conscious people
Yellow – Fun-loving people are welcomed
Red – No visitors allowed as they are not safe
Blue – Wants visitors that are honest and respectable
Amber – Wants help in some way shape or form
Orange – Likes partying people late into the night
Pink – Looks for loyal friends to show up
Purple – Spiritual people are welcomed
Porch Light Color Meanings – What the Colors Symbolize
What is your front porch color?
Do you know the meaning behind each type of light bulb and what it stands for? There are a few different colors to choose from, but knowing which one best represents who you are or what you want may help make things easier.
Multi-Color Porch Light Meanings
It is common for homeowners to use more than one color on their porch light, like using red and green simultaneously. This can mean something different depending on whether it’s Christmas or Halloween decorations you’re looking at.
Multi-colored porch lights can also show support for multiple causes, such as sickle cell disease awareness along with domestic violence awareness, environmental protection, and autism awareness, as well.
Keep in mind that multi-colored porch lights are often used during Halloween because the colors of the bulbs can be seen from a distance easily. If you want to use a variety of colors for your porch light decorations, it’s best to ask your neighbors before doing so. The same goes for using red lighting as a sign for gun reform or domestic violence awareness.
Blue Porch Light Meaning
A blue porch light can be used to honor local law enforcement by inviting them to the property. This way, if they stop by for an inspection or need to notify you of a crime in the area, they will know that you are not trying to hide anything.
Blue porch lights are not only for honoring the police but also for raising awareness of autism spectrum disorders. A blue porch light symbolizes that you care about people with autism spectrum disorders and want to take a stand against bullying and exclusion.
World Autism Day is observed on April 2nd of every year. It’s a day to take a stand against the bullying and social exclusion of people with autism spectrum disorders. Since November 2010, there have been efforts to persuade governments around the world to mark this day in some way. The United Nations Trust Fund has also been instrumental in providing support for this observance from its inception.
Green Porch Light Meaning
Green porch lights are special for Veterans Day. They signify support for our veterans while they are overseas. This color of porch light also signifies that you are environmentally conscious and supports the environment. It’s a way to say that you care about being green without actually saying it. Green porch lights are popular in the Netherlands, where they’re used to promote sustainable development policies.
Green porch lights are commonly used for St. Patrick’s Day because they represent luck and prosperity. This is also the same reason why green clothing is worn on this day.
Green porch lights represent disease awareness. Many countries choose green to represent this. Green porch lights are used by people who want to increase awareness about incurable diseases such as Lyme Disease. It is common to see green lights for this cause during the month of May.
Red Porch Light Meaning
American Heart Association
Red lighting symbolizes the importance of heart health, which is what the American Heart Association tries to promote. The use of red porch lights can be seen to represent that this homeowner cares about the health benefits of the American Heart Association. The color red also has a strong association with love and romance, but it also has an importance in Chinese culture as well.
Valentine’s Day
Red porch lights are used during Valentine’s Day are often are meant to symbolize love or passion. This may be because of its traditional use in China where red was used as a sensual color between lovers during Valentine’s Day celebrations.
Halloween Decor
Red is the color of love, but it is also the color of death. When you use red porch lights during Halloween, it honors all of those who have died at the hands of violence. It can also be used to scare off ghosts that are trying to cause harm.
Gun Reform Myth
WUSA9 in Washington, D.C., debunked a long-standing misconception that having a red light on indicated that no weapons were present in the home. WUSA9 recently stated that a meme had been sweeping the internet, suggesting that red porch lights are supposed to symbolize gun reform. The meme had been online for two years prior, since 2016.
As a result, if you see a house with a red porch light, it’s probably not about guns. The light is more than likely used to promote American Heart Month.
Purple Porch Light Meaning
Purple porch lights represent domestic violence awareness month. This is a time of year where efforts are made to raise awareness about these issues and to remind people of the dangers of this type of abuse. Purple porch lights can symbolize that the homeowner is worried about the safety of women and children.
Orange Porch Light Meaning
In 2017, orange porch lights were for the victims of a serial killer in Delphi, Indiana. People wanted to remember them by selling only orange porch lights in stores. The money from these sales goes to the victims’ families. Even after finding the serial killer, people still put up orange porch lights every March, which is when they disappeared.
Conclusion
The color of your porch light may signify a variety of things. From disease awareness to gun reform, the meaning behind this seemingly simple outdoor decoration is much deeper than you might think! So when someone asks what type of porch lights you have or why they are red, green, or blue–you’ll know the answer!
