February 21st, 2023 by Sarah Miles

Applying colour to your interior does more than just make it look nice. Colour can impact our emotional state and, therefore, choosing it carefully has the power to lift mood and even give us more energy. Before choosing the colours in your design scheme, it’s worth reading up on the effects that different colours can have so that you can maximise their impact.

Colours that can make you feel happier

There is scientific evidence that shows colours can change the way we feel so while choosing them will always be a matter of personal taste, combining it with a little colour theory is a great idea. There are thought to be certain colours that do make people feel happier, and the chances are you will be drawn to them anyway because they have influenced how you perceive them.

Yellow is thought to be the colour of happiness and is closely associated with sunlight and brightness. It is believed to boost serotonin levels, which is a naturally occurring chemical that makes us feel happier. Yellow is also thought to stimulate creativity, so it’s a good one to use in a home office or kitchen.

Green is also a happy colour and its association with nature can be calming and reassuring. This can support relaxation, so great for a lounge or bedroom, and can help with concentration, so good for home offices. Blues are also considered to be calming and good for reducing stress levels.

A soft pink is linked to feelings of love, while a vibrant pink boosts energy levels and optimism. Red and orange are also energetic colours and can help with motivation and focus.

Beware of colours that can lower mood

By the same token, some colours may have a negative effect on mood. Dark blues and greys are considered quite oppressive and can sap optimism or feel overwhelming. They can still be used but work best in small accents, such as a feature wall or through accessories, then they do across large areas and can be used to good effect when combined with contrasting colours that are mood-boosting.

How to apply colour

There are many ways of using colour in your home that don’t begin and end with the wall colour. While strong colours can help achieve all the positive outcomes mentioned above, even ‘happy’ colours can be overwhelming if over-applied.

Accents of these colours alongside more neutral tones can be a good direction to go in. For example, try painting just selected sections of the wall in colour and tone with a paler shade. Consider the layout of the furniture and paint the wall you’re likely to look at the most to get as much from its emotional influence as you can. (You won’t feel much benefit from a colour that’s always behind you).

Alternatively, use accessories and decorative elements as your main vehicle for colour. Rugs, cushions, throws, and curtains work well. Or, perhaps create a theme among your objects on display, such as vases, pots, picture frames, or even books, selecting them for their colour above other aesthetic considerations.

Be creative

As well as creativity in pulling your scheme together, there is a great deal of emotional satisfaction to be gained from doing it yourself and curating the look and feel. This feeling will remain with you when you use the space, long after the work is done. You don’t have to be a designer or DIY expert, just take ideas from the things you like, the colours that trigger a positive feeling, and have a go. Success lies in how they make you feel, as much as how they look.