How Colors Secretly Guide You to the Books You Can’t Put Down

top view of colorful books placed in a circle

People always say not to judge a book by its cover, but it’s hard not to be at least slightly swayed by the book’s appearance. After all, the cover is the first thing you see when you choose a book, and you’ll see it every time you pick it up to read it.

In many cases, the colors of the cover design affect how we perceive the book and impact whether or not we’re interested in it. Let’s take a closer look at why the color of a book might be controlling your next read.

Do Book Cover Designs Really Matter?

Studies indicate that most people still judge books by the cover, despite the popular saying telling us not to. One poll found that about 6 out of 10 people in America (57%) have bought a book just because they liked the cover. Almost all those people (96%) said the book met the expectations that the cover set. On the other hand, about 8 out of 10 people (80%) admitted to not buying a book just because of how it looked.

So, even though an incredible book could be hidden behind a mediocre cover, we may not be willing to take a chance on it simply because of how it looks. Design, especially the colors involved, could play a bigger role in book covers than most people realize.

How Does Color Affect Our Perception of Books?

group of kids reading different colored books

Colors can evoke certain feelings and emotions. The colors used in a book cover could create assumptions about the book’s plot, genre, and themes. If the color combinations don’t make the reader feel intrigued, they might not even look at what the book is about. So, the colors in a cover design are crucial.

Of course, context is important. Some colors may mean different things in different cover designs, but below is what each color generally indicates in a book cover.

Red

person holding red book on white cushion

Red is a bold color to use in a cover design. Depending on the illustrations paired with it, it could signify passion or danger. If it’s used alongside dark colors and eerie imagery, it could indicate that the book is a horror or thriller. Readers will likely expect some violence to be involved. However, if the red is paired with delicate colors and cutesy designs, readers may assume it’s a passionate romance novel. Either way, strong emotions will be involved when red is present.

Orange

hand taking orange book off shelf

The type of orange used can have a big impact on how people perceive a book. Bright orange is usually seen as a symbol of excitement and enthusiasm, but it may be too overwhelming for a book cover. Instead, dark orange paired with other dark colors is more common for books. In those instances, it could still indicate that the book is exciting, but it has more serious themes. People often assume books with dark orange covers will take them on intense adventures. Books with light orange covers are likely more relaxing and peaceful, making them ideal beach reads. So, there’s a wide spectrum of ways to use orange in cover designs.

Yellow

yellow book on wood surface

Yellow is widely known as a fun, happy, and optimistic color. If it’s the main color on a book cover, people will likely assume the book is lighthearted with a happy ending. Someone looking for a story that will cause them minimal stress will likely turn toward a book with a light yellow hue. Yellow is often used for motivational books, both fiction and non-fiction, along with fun children’s books.

Green

green book by plant and headphones

Green is typically associated with nature, so if the green on the cover shows trees and other plants, readers will definitely expect the environment to play a significant role in the book. This is why green is frequently used for non-fiction books about nature topics. If there are hints of green light or glowing green designs on the cover, it could give the book a magical and mysterious vibe. Yet, people may still assume that the magic is somehow related to nature. In some cases, people might think green books are related to money or health.

Blue

stack of old blue books

Blue is the most popular color in the world. It’s many people’s favorite color, so lots of individuals are drawn to it. Thus, you’ll likely see it on a lot of book covers. Blue is a calm, peaceful color, so people may think books with this color will be easy to read and cause minimal stress. As a result, blue commonly appears on self-help book covers. If paired with darker colors, blue may give off mysterious and magical vibes, similar to green. It’s especially used in books where water is an important aspect of the story.

Purple

stack of purple books next to cup

Purple is a magical color for books, no doubt about that. It indicates that the book will likely be a fantasy novel with lots of beautiful imagery and surprising twists and turns. It can also be a symbol of luxury and elegance, so it may indicate that the book is about royalty. Since people often think highly of purple, it’s sometimes used in non-fiction books aimed to help readers find success. Books with purple covers are sometimes viewed as more valuable and desirable.

Black

black book with fountain pen and ink

Black is a dark, mysterious color often used for suspense, horror, and thriller books. It gives off feelings of power and danger. People who are looking at books with black covers are likely expecting them to be intense and somewhat unsettling. They might presume the books contain many unexpected twists. So, if someone picks up a black book, they expect to go on an emotional, shocking journey rather than having a peaceful, laidback tale.

White

person holding white book on lap

Most books have little white on the cover because they could look unfinished with too much empty space. Yet, white indicates simplicity and cleanliness. Readers may expect the book to have a straightforward plot that’s easy to understand. In some cases, the use of white could appear almost too perfect, hinting at a dystopian science fiction story. It could also be used for non-fiction covers that want the subject to be obvious just by looking at the simple cover design.

Pink

pink book by pink flowers

Pink is often seen as a feminine color or a sign of love. If it’s the main color in a cover design, readers will likely assume it’s a book about romance or women’s fiction. Pink can also be a fun, playful color, so it could signify that a book is meant to be charming and lighthearted rather than heartbreaking and overly emotional.

Gray

stack of gray books up close

Gray book covers typically display a simple yet modern vibe. Because technology and modern architecture are often made of gray materials, people may assume the story will take place in the future. Gray covers could also be used for non-fiction books about modern concepts, such as technology-related topics.

Brown

stack of old light brown books on wooden surface

Brown is a neutral color that could seem earthy or historical. People may assume that a book with a lot of brown on the cover is about the environment or events of the past. It indicates a journey that happens in a realistic setting, making it an uncommon color for fantasy and science fiction books. It’s a great color for non-fiction books because it’s simple and straight to the point, helping the cover design speak for itself.

Designing a Book Cover: How to Interest People Using Colors

If you want to design a book cover, how do you create one using the right colors? Below are a few aspects to keep in mind.

Consider the Audience and Genre

kids reading colorful books on sofa

Color could pique the interest of certain people and be associated with certain genres. For example, books geared toward kids usually use brighter colors to get the attention of younger audiences. Romance books usually use light, delicate colors like pink and lavender to set the mood of the book. Scary or suspenseful books will often focus on dark color schemes to help people understand the serious vibes of the book. So, knowing how the book will be marketed can help cover designers choose the perfect colors.

Think About Emotions

woman crying while reading a blue book

Not only do colors help us make assumptions about books, but they can also make people feel certain things. A cover that’s mostly yellow might feel uplifting, while black covers could be unsettling. These emotions can lean into the genre and premise of the book. When someone designs a book cover, they need to think about how people will likely feel when reading it. Then, they can translate that feeling into the cover using certain colors. That way, readers have some idea of what to expect when they pick up a book.

Choose an Aesthetically Pleasing Color Scheme

green and blue book cover design

Of course, the meanings and feelings associated with colors are impactful. Yet, they might not matter to readers if the design doesn’t look nice. Even though you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, it’s hard not to when that’s the first thing you see when looking at it. If the colors you choose don’t go well together, that might deter people from wanting to look at the book’s description.

Focusing on analogous colors (colors next to each other on the color wheel) can make it easy to look at, but you may also want to consider complementary colors (colors on opposite sides of the color wheel) if you want the design to pop. Monochromatic colors (shades, tints, and tones of the same hues) could also offer an appealing design.

Now that you know how colors on the outside of a book can influence you, it’s time to explore the deeper meanings hidden within. Take a look at these 13 colors in literature that could change how you perceive your favorite books.