After spending so much time indoors thanks to the pandemic, it’s no surprise you may be itching for a change of scenery, or perhaps a shift in energy.
Believe it or not, it’s possible to do both. And you don’t even have to leave the confines of your home. How, you may ask? Through a simple switch up of the colour in your home.
We’ve all heard of colour psychology, and how the emotional properties they carry can alter our state of mind. With this knowledge, we can inject certain colours into different rooms in our homes to amplify, subdue, or simply change the energy around us. Here’s how:
To renew and revitalise
After being hurled up in our homes for so long, the energy may feel stagnant. Adding green elements or accents is a strong way to revive this. Green promotes renewal, balance, refreshment and peace. It reduces stress and provides mood-boosting endorphins. An abundance of plants will not only uplift you mentally but also provide a grounding, earthly presence - creating the perfect synergy between outside and in. With green you’ll feel energised but not in an erratic way, instead it’ll feel like a sustainable, reinvigorating force from within.
Greens are great in a work or study area to promote mental clarity and concentration. However, if overused, it could promote laziness and lack of initiation.
To find calm
Blue is your best bet for this endeavour. It is the universal symbol of rest and calm, and is effective at warding off insomnia and stimulating deep sleep. It is a great colour to help calm hyperactivity in kids and works well on large expanses such as a wall or duet cover (subconsciously, a large blue surface mimics the vastness of the sea, and stimulates the same emotions of being near the ocean).
It also enhances our imagination and intuitive thinking, and can be tolerated in higher amounts than most other colours.
Because it is a cool colour, too much of it can shift to feelings of apathy and pessimism. Instead, balance blue with other colours in order to avoid this.
For warmth and liveliness
Yellow is the colour of optimism, brightness and a cheery attitude. It works well in communal spaces such as a kitchen or dining room to encourage conversation and laughter. It also provides a relaxed atmosphere (without being overly serene).
For an upbeat atmosphere
Like yellow, orange is inviting and warm. It is joyful, and invokes feelings of sociability, connection and happiness. It is the ideal colour for a living room or entertainment area as it promotes extroverted behaviour.
If overused, it also has the ability to overwhelm people, causing irritability and frustration.
To make a statement
Red is an intense colour that promotes high energy and power. It promotes ambition, courage, alertness and strength. It is a great colour to use as a focal point in your home, such as a feature wall or above a mantle piece.
Too much of it however, can cause hostility and anger. Thus, it is better suited as an accent colour rather than a primary one.
