How colour in the home affects your mood

Did you know that colours have the power to affect your mood? They can make you feel happy, sad, energetic, or even tired. When you're in the process of painting your home and it's time to choose colours, Mike Greeff, CEO of Greeff Christie's International Real Estate says that ''it's important to consider the emotions each colour inspires''.

Since most of us have been working from home due to COVID-19, now is the ideal time to take a look around and consider the effect some of the colours in your home are having on your mood. You might be pleasantly surprised at the huge change small tweaks can bring.

So why is colour so important?

Some homeowners might opt for the standard white walls and minimal homeware/décor, but that in itself, can affect one's mood. Colour gives your home personality; it's one of the major ways to make your house feel like a home. Colours can also create interest in certain areas, while also having the ability to encourage a flow from room to room.

Below is a run-through of just some of the hues you should be embracing throughout the main areas of your home as well as a few of the colour palettes you should consider avoiding. If you are not up for a major paint job, don't worry - making minor adjustments to décor and homeware make just as much of a difference.

The living room

The living room is where you will spend most of your time. It's where you host parties, it's where you kick back and relax and it's where you make memories with your loved ones. It comes as no surprise that the living room is also known as the heart of the home. Because it's such a special place in the home, the backdrop for life's little moments if you will, it should have a colour palette that reflects this.

It's suggested that the walls be kept a neutral colour to allow for creativity in your selection of décor - if we're being honest, the lounge is known to be the home for trinkets and a few other white elephant items.

Suggested wall colours:

• White
• Cream
• Gray
• Duck Egg

If you are wanting to step outside of the norm, opt for green tones. Green tones help us connect with nature and we all know the benefits nature has on your wellbeing.

Green can make you feel:

• Refreshed and rejuvenated
• Calm and relaxed
• Confident
• Comfortable
• Less anxious

How to incorporate green into your home:

• Real indoor plants (using fake plants also work but a real plant will bring life and personality into the room. It can also be a talking point when having guests over.)
• A muted green couch
• A primarily green art piece - this can be a print, a photograph, or a painting.
• Vases in various shades of green

The master bedroom

The colour of your bedroom plays a large role in your chance of a good night's sleep. Your bedroom is your sanctuary and the colour palette you choose should reflect this.

Colour suggestions for your bedroom:

• Soft blues
• Muted pinks
• Grey
• Soft yellow

It's imperative that you use a different colour in your bedroom that's not used anywhere else in the house. It needs to signal your brain that it's time for sleep and not work. Lavender makes for the perfect colour because it's unlikely to be used in another area of the home.

Lavender (or various shades of purple) can make you feel:

• Calm and peaceful
• Relaxed and rested
• Spiritual harmony

The kitchen

The kitchen is where the magic happens. It's a place of happiness and sharing and where the family really comes together.

Yellow is the ideal shade for this ''homey'' space and here's why: yellow evokes feelings of happiness and who doesn't want to feel happy while spending time with their loved ones? This doesn't mean that all four walls should be painted in a bright shade of banana, but rather try to incorporate pops of yellow in your appliances or with pretty flowers on the countertops.

Yellow can make you feel:

• Joy
• Warm and cosy
• Creative
• Sociable
• Enthusiastic

The main areas of the home have been focused on but what about the rest of the home you ask? There aren't many ''rules'' to follow when to comes to the bathroom, the kids' rooms or the study - ultimately, it depends on what mood you want to create, and this is where the below guide comes in handy. Most of the colours and colour combinations are included, along with the effects each colour has on your mood. Now, it's up to you do decide which hue will work best for you!

Red

• Excitement
• Passion and romance
• Confidence and power

Accents of red works best in the:

• Bedroom
• Home office / creative spaces
• Entryway

Orange

• Energetic
• Creative and meditative
• Warm and cosy

Accents of orange works best in the:

• Gym / exercise area
• Kitchen
• Living room

Orange - Pink (think shades of coral, nude and peach)

• Serenity and relaxation
• Warmth
• Joyfulness

These shades work best in the:

• Bedroom
• Living room
• Kitchen / dining area

Blue

• Calmness
• Relaxation
• Clean and cool
• Spiritual harmony

Different shades of blue work in almost every room of the house, but it's best in the:

• Bedroom
• Social areas
• Bathroom
• Blue is also an excellent ceiling colour

Black

Black has always had negative connotations attached to it, but it's time to crush that myth. Black actually creates feelings of:

• Restfulness
• Elegance
• Possibility

It's not advised to use black as a dominant colour in a room. It works best as an accent colour and complements almost every room in the home.

White

• Refreshed
• Peaceful
• Clean and pure

White is such a versatile colour, both in its pure and mixed state i.e. cream/off-white and works as both a dominant and accent colour all around the home.

Now that you are fully-equipped with the effects of certain colours, think about how you can re-arrange the elements in your home to boost not only your productivity but your mood, too. From there, consider different shades, tones and accents and figure out a way to best utilise a colour to bring about the perfect mood in your home.