How the color of your walls can affect your mood
When decorating a new home, there are thousands of questions to be answered – yet people often seem to forget one of the key things that could turn your new house into a home in the blink of an eye (or rather, the swipe of a brush): colors!
Judging by conversations I had in the past it’s not quite common knowledge that colors can have an effect your mood; so, with a bit of help from the experts at Wickes, we’re here to give you a refresher on how colors can influence your mood – and how to best use them.
Before diving head first into choosing the right color, think of the room you want to paint and choose an appropriate finish: vinyl and silk paints are the most common, giving you a flawless finish – they’re great for general rooms – but you may need something more durable for other rooms.
Kitchen paint, for example, can simply be wiped clean with a damp cloth without damaging the paintwork, while bathroom paint protects your walls against moisture and mold caused by steamy showers – and that’s only two of the finishes Wickes offer!
But to the colors: as a rule of thumb, neutral tones like warm grays, beige or creams create a soothing, calm atmosphere while bolder colors can turn a room formal or energetic in no time at all.
Red
Like a good lipstick, red walls – from bright cherry to dark crimson – can instantly make a room feel lively and warm; already social rooms by default, pops of red on the walls will make kitchens and dining rooms even more inviting.
My father always said red walls made people angry – while that isn’t true, the color is said to increase your heart rate, so it’s not the best choice for a calm bedroom but works very well in an office. I’m speaking from experience here.
Since all-red rooms can be a bit overwhelming (and feel smaller), it’s a better choice to opt for an accent wall or set the red against delicate, softer pinks to give the room some balance.
Blue
Blue is the serene, soothing brother to lively reds and yellows – but also a very elegant and formal choice, if we think of the traditional royal blue.
With a plethora of shades to choose from, there’s something for all purposes: shades of aqua are seen as refreshing, while sky blue is often associated with harmony and a sense of tranquility.
Blue can even help sleep when used on bedroom walls – but make sure the hue isn’t too cool, especially in rooms without much sun, because they can trick your body into feeling cold, especially in winter.
Yellow
In a pale or pastel shade, yellow can be calm, peaceful and has the potential to warm up a room, especially when sunshine streams in – with the bonus that the room will feel open and spacious.
When used at its most vibrant, yellow isn’t just cheerful and positive, but also a very lively and energizing color – ideal for kitchens (once again, talking from experience!) or children’s rooms.
It also adds a bit of a zing to your walls, giving them a fresh, modern feel without being too overwhelming.
Green
Much like blue, green is a balancing, relaxing color and can create restorative and tranquil atmosphere in any room.
Think of the woods, of expanses of grass: the association with nature is what makes green such a peaceful color, often seen as creating composure and helping people reconnect with themselves.
Whether you prefer lighter hues, like lemongrass, or the deep green of conifers or pines, they all add an open, calm atmosphere to your home.
Orange
If you want to get people talking and socializing, orange is your go-to color – it’ll brighten up living and dining rooms (and any other room, for that matter) and instantly create a social atmosphere.
A very optimistic color, orange walls will chase gloomy thoughts away with its cheerful and warm aura.
Much like red, orange is very strong and can quickly be overwhelming, so it’s best used in a combination with more delicate shades or, if you want to go all-out, as an accent wall.
Brown
Did you ever notice how, when winter comes around, clothing and home accessories suddenly seem to turn brown?
That’s because brown is not just a very warm color, it also creates an air of safety – much like a cosy cocoon, shielding you from the cold outside your window – and puts people at ease.
And as if it couldn’t get better, browns in combination with neutrals are timelessly stylish and never out of fashion.
Black
The most dramatic of color choices, black is unapologetically high-impact and, when done right, feels like the haute couture of wall colors.
Moderation is key – black woodwork, accent walls or accessories make for stunning, dramatic eye-catchers without turning the room too dark.
Alternatively, black adds depth and a bit of spice to a sleek monochromatic color scheme.
White
Yes, white can feel clinical – but that’s often a sign that it’s not done quite right and all it needs to fix this cold atmosphere is to off set the white walls with pictures or colorful accents.
When done right, white can be calming and soothing – the ideal color to help you wind down after a long day at work – and make rooms feel light, open and airy, making it an ideal choice for small rooms.
In case you’re not quite sure which exact shade is right for you, Wickes Colour @ Home range has 164 high-quality colors to choose from – and besides giving you the best advice on which color works best, the experts at Wickes also have all the right tools for the right job!
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Stefanie Gerdes
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