Choosing the best color is a very subjective matter, as everyone has their own personal preferences. However, if we look at colors objectively, based on their popularity and usage, we can get a good sense of which colors tend to be considered more desirable overall. In this article, we’ll examine which color comes in second place for best color, based on surveys, stats, and expert opinions.
Most Popular Colors
Let’s start by looking at the most popular colors. While color preference is highly individual, surveys and sales data give us insight into the colors that appeal to large groups of people. When it comes to home goods and clothing, the most popular colors tend to be more muted, neutral hues like white, black, gray, brown, and beige. Vibrant colors like red, blue, green, purple and yellow also rank highly.
According to surveys conducted by various companies, the most popular colors worldwide are:
| Rank | Color |
|---|---|
| 1 | Blue |
| 2 | Green |
| 3 | Purple |
| 4 | Gray |
| 5 | White |
Blue is consistently ranked the world’s favorite color. It’s associated with openness, wisdom and stability. Green comes in second place. It represents nature, health, and renewal. Purple follows closely behind in third, evoking luxury, creativity and imagination. Neutral grays and whites come next on the list. They offer flexibility and create space.
Most Versatile Colors
In addition to popularity, another way to determine the best colors is by considering their versatility. Some shades are extremely flexible and work well in nearly any context. This makes them reliably good choices in all types of design.
According to color theory experts, the most versatile hues are:
| Rank | Color |
|---|---|
| 1 | Blue |
| 2 | Green |
| 3 | Red |
| 4 | Violet |
| 5 | Orange |
Once again, blue comes out on top as the most versatile and usable color. Its varying shades work well paired with almost any other hue. Green is a close second, offering a wide range of tones from vivid lime to deep hunter green. Bold reds, regal violets and cheerful oranges round out the top versatile colors.
Most Preferred Colors
Looking specifically at people’s personal preferences and favorite colors gives us another perspective. While surveys show blue, green and purple as the top colors overall, when asked to choose their single favorite hue, people tend to pick dynamic, feel-good colors like:
| Rank | Color |
|---|---|
| 1 | Blue |
| 2 | Purple |
| 3 | Green |
| 4 | Red |
| 5 | Orange |
While blue still comes out on top, purple moves up to second place when people choose their absolute favorite color. Green drops down to third. Stimulating reds and oranges also fare better when it comes to personal preference. While not everyone’s top choice, purple, red and orange have an energetic appeal that makes them widely loved favorite colors.
Most Relaxing Colors
Looking at colors that promote calmness and relaxation provides another useful metric for evaluating the best shades. Some hues have innate soothing, stress-reducing properties. The most relaxing colors according to color therapy research are:
| Rank | Color |
|---|---|
| 1 | Blue |
| 2 | Green |
| 3 | Violet |
| 4 | Pink |
| 5 | Yellow |
Tranquil blues and greens top the list for most relaxing colors. Violet and pink follow, evoking femininity and self-care. Cheerful yellow rounds out the top five for its uplifting yet mellow personality. While personal preferences vary, these hues consistently rate as soothing and peaceful across color psychology studies.
Most Confident Colors
In addition to relaxation, some colors promote self-assurance and confidence. Bold, bright shades are often seen as empowering and motivating. The colors considered most confident are:
| Rank | Color |
|---|---|
| 1 | Red |
| 2 | Black |
| 3 | Orange |
| 4 | Purple |
| 5 | Blue |
Dynamic reds top the list for instilling confidence and courage. Classic black follows, evoking strength and authority. Vibrant orange, regal purple and reliable blue round out the top five colors for self-assurance.
Conclusion
Based on these different criteria and perspectives, green emerges as the color that comes closest to challenging blue for title of the undisputed best and most popular color overall. Though personal favorites vary, green consistently ranks in the top 3 across surveys of favorite colors, versatility, relaxation, and confidence. Its wide appeal, flexibility, and therapeutic qualities make green the clear 2nd best color after universally-loved blue.
Some final key points on why green is the 2nd best color:
- Consistently ranks in the top 3 colors on surveys of favorite colors
- Considered one of the most versatile colors for design and decor
- Has therapeutic relaxing qualities backed by color research
- Associated with confidence, health, renewal and the natural world
- Available in a wide spectrum from light pastels to deep hues
- Complements and pairs well with many other colors
While personal tastes vary, when we look objectively at the stats, green comes out as the runner-up color after universally appealing blue. Green is a perennial favorite worldwide, and its therapeutic and versatile qualities make it stand out as the clear second best color overall.
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Looking deeper at various shades of green can provide more insight into its popularity and appeal. Lighter greens like mint, sage, and lime have an invigorating yet soothing effect. They remind us of new growth in nature. Mid-tone greens like emerald evoke luxury and prestige. Forest greens tap into a sense of the natural world and timelessness. Dark hunter greens feel more masculine and edgy. Olive greens offer an earthy, retro vibe.
Green’s association with renewal and growth spans cultural history. In ancient Egypt, green represented regeneration and life. The green Osiris was a symbol of fertility and planting. In China, green is tied to the vital energy force qi. Green was the color of jade, prized for its purported abilities. In the Islamic world, green was a holy color representing paradise. The Palestinian flag bears the green color of Islam. During the Renaissance, green clothes were donned to demonstrate hope and joy.
Different shades of green promote different feelings. Yellow-tinged lime greens lift spirits and energize. Cool mint greens are gently rejuvenating. Deep emerald greens tap into luxury and ambition. Mossy greens connect to the outdoors. Olive and sage greens are more grounded and traditional. Choosing different green shades can stimulate different emotions.
Green demonstrates tranquility and balance. It alleviates anxiety, depression, and negativity. Hospitals often use green in decor and staff uniforms to cultivate healing. Being surrounded by green can lower stress hormones and blood pressure. The color green truly has a measurably calming physiological effect.
Green is considered one of the most flexible colors in interior design and decor. It can work with warm brown and tan tones or cool gray and blue shades. Green decor immediately makes a space feel inviting, fresh and peaceful. Lighter greens open up small spaces, while bolder greens ground large rooms.
Greens complement both warm and cool skin tones. Olive greens flatter warm, yellow-undertone complexions. Cooler emerald greens suit pinker skin tones. Green clothing offers a universally flattering color that works for any complexion. Green eyes really shine when framed with green makeup and clothing.
Green is a staple color in graphic design and marketing. Green evokes balance, harmony, and a sense of ecology. Businesses wanting to convey health, tranquility, or sustainability often utilize green color schemes. Dark green can denote prestige, wealth, ambition, and competitiveness.
Green is one of the lowest-maintenance color choices for apparel and textiles. It hides stains and signs of wear relatively well compared to brighter or lighter colors. Green is a practical option for everything from everyday wear to decor upholstery.
Green has grown in popularity as eco-consciousness and sustainability become greater priorities. As we aim to live lighter on the earth, the regenerative properties of green feel more relevant. The color represents hope for the future wellbeing of the planet.
Shades of green are ubiquitous in nature. Lush green foliage, rolling jade hills, and deep emerald waters demonstrate green’s vibrancy. Associating green with the natural world reminds us of life’s renewal, joy, and harmony. Green truly is the color of balance, rebirth, and energy.
Green is prominent in major world cultural landmarks. India’s beautiful Taj Mahal contains abundant emerald and jade decor. Moscow’s St. Basil’s Cathedral is resplendent with vivid green domes. The Statue of Liberty, gifted from France, features a striking green patina. Green is a color of beauty globally.
Green is a color with timeless, widespread appeal. Surveys across generations consistently find green in the top favorite colors. Both children and adults gravitate to green for its vibrancy and renewal. Appealing green shades range from retro avocado to modern neon lime.
Looking closer at color theory reveals why green is so flexible and appealing. Green sits opposite red on the color wheel. This makes it a complementary color that can play up or tone down red’s boldness. Green also sits between warm yellow and cool blue, inheriting versatility from both sides.
On a psychological level, green taps into our core need for balance and tranquility. The color reminds us to pause and restore equilibrium when life feels overwhelming. Green’s soothing impact makes it a wise choice for self-care, health, and rejuvenation.
Culturally, green takes on many positive meanings. It represents safety and permission, evoking traffic lights and road signs. Green can indicate prosperity and ambition like a green light signaling advancement. The color also symbolizes growth, fertility and harmony with nature.
Green is everywhere in the natural world around us and therefore feels eternally relevant. Lush trees, verdant hills, leafy plants, and deep forests all showcase green’s connection to life. Even the human eye contains flecks of green in its varied hues.
Designers often use green as a neutral backdrop color. Light greens open up space while providing a canvas for other colors to pop. Dark greens ground a scheme with an earthy balance. Green truly goes with everything from warm neutrals to bright, bold rainbow colors.
The appeal of green spans cultures, eras, and demographics. Ancient Egyptians adorned themselves in malachite jewelry. Modern companies use green eco-branding to convey sustainability. Men, women, children all gravitate to green tones instinctively.
Green offers balance that feels rare and precious in today’s chaotic world. The color has an almost primordial power to soothe our senses and emotions. Looking at green is like looking at a tree – we feel more centered and able to cope. It is green’s unique healing essence that makes it a top color.
