Review on Psychological and Behavioral Impact of Landscape Colors

Landscape color is a critical environmental factor shaping human psychology and behavior, yet existing evidence remains fragmented and lacks an integrated theoretical framework. Based on a qualitative synthesis of 62 empirical studies, this review develops a four-dimensional analytical framework encompassing time, space, visual stimulus, and population heterogeneity. The findings indicate that landscape color operates through a dual temporal pathway: short-term exposure can produce immediate emotional and attentional effects, whereas long-term and seasonal exposure is associated with cumulative cognitive restoration and placerelated responses. Spatial context further moderates these effects through urban–rural differences and landscape-type specificity. In the visual-stimulus dimension, color effects progress from huerelated emotional baselines to modulation by brightness and saturation and, ultimately, to compositional principles of harmony and diversity. These associations are also shaped by population characteristics, including age, gender, cultural background, experience, and professional knowledge. The review suggests that landscape color design should move beyond conventional aesthetic considerations and adopt differentiated, evidence-based strategies tailored to exposure duration, spatial context, and target user groups. These strategies can support public mental health, environmental identity, and healthier human settlements.