A room by room guide to the best colours for each space in your home
The concept that colours affect our mood and emotions is well-known and has been studied for thousands of years. In fact, this phenomenon can be traced back to ancient Egyptians who studied the effects of colours and used them to accomplish holistic benefits. Modern-day researchers say that the impact of colours is even more complex than first thought.
While some colours may affect certain individuals in unpredictable ways, most shades tend to have a consistent emotional effect on the majority of people. This theory is commonly applied in the field of marketing; for example, the colour red is used to stimulate hunger adverts for fast food restaurants.
So, how do colours influence our mood and how can we use this well-studied phenomenon to our advantage as we spend more time indoors?
The meaning behind colours
A quick study of colours shows that warm colours such as red, orange and yellow evoke feelings of optimism, happiness and energy. Although these colours are associated with stimulation and revitalisation, an excess of warm colours might insinuate aggression and anxiety.
On the flip side, cool colours such as green, blue and purple are seen as calming, harmonising and relaxing. These colours are also said to have intellectual and spiritual properties. However, an overuse of cooler colours could suggest lack of emotion and stagnation.
Specific shades may hold personal significance, so follow your instinct when picking colours.
How to use colours to switch up the mood in your home
While spending more time at home has its advantages, we could all use a change of pace and environment. Adding new colours to your space is a great way to do just that.
Repainting your home is one way to change up your space and take advantage of the psychological effect of colours. But, this can be rather expensive and time consuming. Instead, let’s explore how you can bring in colours through accessories and decorative pieces that you can order online.