Colour Psychology: How Colour Affects Your Mood

The way colour affects our emotions was first studied by the ancient Egyptians who used colour for holistic reasons. They learnt to utilise colour purposefully, for example they incorporated orange into settings to increase energy, and used blue to soothe pain. We use many of their colour philosophies in interior design today.

The colour choices we make for a room can determine the space’s mood, and also influence it’s perceived physical space. Often the simplest of colour choices like deciding a paint colour, can feel overwhelming, however the impact paint colour can have is incredibly exciting and can really help to establish the intention in your space. When we begin to explore paint colours, the first question is, how do you want to feel in this space? From there, we can select a paint colour that will infer and enhance that feeling.

White: Oh where to begin... Selecting a shade of white can be a daunting task. So here’s the breakdown of how these will impact your mood. Warm whites will create a cosy, more homely atmosphere. Warm whites will have a cream, even yellow undertone, and work well with earthy shades in a home. Cool whites give the illusion of a modern, minimalist look in your home. These are the tones that will convey a clean, crisp and fresh vibe.

Neutral colours: Neutral colours such as greys, or beige hues, are ideal for creating a safe and soft presence in the home. These timeless and practical colours are ideal for bedrooms and living spaces as they are fantastic for creating a relaxed feel.

Red and orange: Without a doubt these are vibrant colours. They are great for social rooms such as the kitchen because they enhance energy and enthusiasm when we are around them. You will notice these are tones often used in restaurants because they are thought to increase appetite and excitement.

Green: Green is a restful colour for your eyes and is known to be restorative and composure encouraging. Green is visible a lot in nature, and is usually around us in abundance, so it is a colour many people are comfortable living with. We love using green in office spaces, because it is great for enhancing feelings of growth, abundance and harmony in your space.

Yellow hues: Yellow reflects an energetic and welcoming tone. Paint with a subtle yellow undertone can catch the sunlight and present a bright and uplifting feeling.

Blue hues: Blue is by nature a calming tone. But shifting the shade of blue can also shift the feeling. Lighter blue tones can provide a peaceful and more tranquil feel, while sapphire blues can add more energy. A paler shade of glacier blue can even help to make a room feel more spacious. Blue also helps to bring a coolness to the space which is ideal for our warmer Queensland summers.

Still not feeling confident with your colour choices?

You can book a call with us via our home page to discuss your colour selections and how we can assist you in making your home a space that truly reflects your style and boosts your mood.