Not everyone sees color the same way. Around 1 in 12 men and 1 in 200 women live with some form of color vision difference — often without even knowing it. It’s not a flaw; it’s simply how their eyes process light.
Why does this matter in interior design? Because colors do more than decorate a room. They set mood, influence how spacious or cozy a place feels, and guide our attention. If some of us see reds as browns, or greens as beiges, we’re literally living in different color worlds — in the same space.
To explore this together, I’ve found a quick, easy online color vision test. It’s free, takes just a few minutes, and gives you a glimpse into how you see the spectrum:
Color Blindness Test online (free): https://colormax.org/color-blind-test/
Once you take it, notice your results. Most people will read “normal color vision,” some may see a mild or moderate difference — often without it ever having affected daily life. But knowing it opens new ways to think about home design. (The Ishihara test is a common screening tool for color blindness but is not a substitute for a professional eye examination. For accurate diagnosis and assessment of color vision deficiencies, it is important to consult an eye care professional.)
Here’s what to look for when reading your results:
Type of deficiency (Protan, Deutan, Tritan) tells you which cones in your eyes react differently to light.
Severity (mild, moderate, strong) shows how noticeable it might be in real life.
Implications: Red-green differences (most common) make it harder to distinguish some warm or earthy tones; blue-yellow differences (rare) shift how you see soft neutrals or cool palettes.
Color Vision Differences Overview
Protanopia (red-blind)
Deuteranopia (green-blind)
Tritanopia (blue-yellow)
Monochromacy (full grayscale, rare)
Color vision differences occur when one or more types of cone cells in the eyes respond differently to light. This can affect:
Hue distinction: Some reds, greens, blues, or yellows may appear darker, lighter, or muted.
Hue range: Subtle tonal variations within one color can collapse. A layered green palette may appear as a single, flat shade.
1. Protanopia (red-blind)
Effect: Reds lose warmth, often appearing brown or dark. Purples appear blue. Greens and browns can blend.
Interior example: A living room with terracotta cushions on a sage sofa. To someone with protanopia, the terracotta cushions appear brown and merge with the sofa, reducing contrast.
Solution: Introduce light-dark contrast or textured patterns. A patterned cushion in cream and charcoal, or a dark wooden tray, restores visual separation and maintains interest.
2. Deuteranopia (green-blind, most common)
Effect: Greens and reds blend into yellow-browns. Bright greens and reds can look nearly identical.
Interior example: A dining room with olive chairs and a cherry wood table. To someone with deuteranopia, the chairs and table may appear similar, flattening the color story.
Solution: Use contrast in brightness and texture. Adding a cream rug or patterned table runner creates visual distinction without relying on color alone.
3. Tritanopia (blue-yellow deficiency, rare)
Effect: Blues and greens merge; yellows may appear pale or pinkish. Purples can shift toward red or brown.
Interior example: A bedroom with a teal accent wall and golden-yellow bedding. To someone with tritanopia, teal and green hues blend, and yellow fades, muting the intended color drama.
Solution: Incorporate neutral contrasts or black-and-white elements. A cream headboard with black trim or textured pillows ensures the design still feels intentional.
4. Monochromacy (total color blindness, extremely rare)
Effect: All color collapses to grayscale; contrast, shape, and texture become essential.
Interior example: A modern lounge with a gradient of blush, navy, and sage. To someone with monochromacy, all these colors collapse into mid-gray tones.
Solution: Emphasize pattern, texture, and tonal contrast. Layering a velvet navy sofa with a cream rug and a tactile woven throw preserves hierarchy and visual interest.
Practical takeaway for intentional home design
Contrast matters more than hue: Use brightness and texture to create separation.
Shape and pattern are allies: Geometry, lines, and tactile surfaces carry meaning where color fails.
Test your palettes: Visual simulators or color-blindness overlays help anticipate how your space reads for everyone.
Understanding these differences is not about limiting design. It’s about designing spaces that feel whole, connected, and alive for every eye. Seeing through another’s perception transforms a room into a space that truly belongs to everyone.
Intentional home design starts with awareness. When we see how differently others perceive the same room, we design with more empathy, more clarity, and often — more beauty.
At Viva Habitat, intentional design goes beyond aesthetics. It’s about creating harmony, functionality, and emotional alignment for everyone who enters a space. Understanding how color is truly perceived is a powerful step in designing homes that feel whole, connected, and alive — for every eye that beholds them.
Whenever in doubt, reach out, I'm here to support you.
Warmest wishes
Monika
