Colour: How To Make Your Home Feel Good.

Choosing the right colour for a particular space in a home or office can prove to be a huge task because its not just an artistic endeavour but also involves a little science. As an interior designer, knowing the psychology and properties of colours is a very powerful design tool. Colour not only has the ability to change the atmosphere of a room but also has the ability to create the illusion of a smaller or larger space. The colours you choose to use in your homes, offices, including the colour of accessories and furnitures all help to create a certain type of energy in that space. According to colour expert and interior decorator, Elaine Ryan,
 "Colour is all around us and even in our vocabulary. We say we feel 'blue' when we are down," It's all about finding the colours you respond to and that make you feel good. Keep in mind that each colour has a psychological value. Think about how certain colours make you feel and how they can influence any emotion, from tranquillity to rage. To create peace and harmony in your home, choose your colours wisely; some colours in large amounts might have the opposite effect on you and your loved ones. There are colours that work for certain home styles, deciding on colours for your home can feel like an overwhelming chore, but these days paint companies like Dulux offer many on-line tools and paint collections that help you create a cohesive colour palette. Below, you would see different colours with their properties and what room is best suited to paint it with.

Red    

Generally a happy, vibrant and intense colour, Red usually represent romance, passion, liveliness and excitement. Red raises a room’s energy level and heighten our senses which makes it a good choice when you're trying to stir up excitement and bring attention particularly in a living or dining space. It is also known to stir up appetite which is why it is a popularly used by most restaurants who usually have a trace of it on their logo or in buildings. Also if used in an entryway, it can create a long lasting impression on visitors. Using red on the wall makes a room feel more intimate. even just using red furnitures/accessories in a neutral living/dining room can perk it up in just the right amount.
It has also been shown to raise blood pressure and speed respiration and heart rate. It is usually considered too stimulating for bedrooms, but if you’re typically in the room only after dark, you’ll be seeing it mostly by lamplight, when the colour will look muted, rich and elegant.

Blue

Blue is said to be the colour of the mind and also aids in concentration. it also represents calmness, serenity and relaxation. It is said to help in reducing blood pressure and heart rate which is why it is considered calming, relaxing and serene. It is often recommended for bedrooms and bathrooms but it is advisable to choose a soft shade of blue as the primary colour in a room then balance it with warmer colours for the furnishing, accessories and fabrics. Dark blue has the opposite effect because it can evoke the feeling of sadness, aloofness and generally create a down unpleasant atmosphere. Refrain from using darker blues in your main colour scheme. The combination of blue and green is a classic, and many believe this combination can calm a room. Blue can be combined with yellow wall or floor tiles to make a space cheerful.

Green

Green is usually associated with grassy fields, leaves and other gifts nature which is why it helps to create a serene, tranquil environment. It is considered refreshing to the eye and is recommended to use for nearly any room of the home where you want to evoke the feeling of comfort and winding down because of its soothing qualities. Other properties of green include: Balance, harmony, Restoration, and peace. "We respond to green and blue because green and blue are the colours of the planet," says colour expert Elaine Ryan. "You're bringing the natural world inside when you use green, and it will work with everything as long as it's the same tonal value."

Pink

You can use pink colour to create a fresh and fine atmosphere in the house. In most countries, the  pink colour is seen as a feminine colour and it is often associated with everything related to girls. When used in interior design, the psychological effects of  pink is soothing and comfortable. Pink is often associated with romance, which is reminiscent to the idea of being joyful. Psychology Today also states that pink can channel memories of dolls, which is why some may be drawn to it for a little girl’s room. If you don't adore this rosy colour, use it in a room where you won't be frequenting as much.So you’re a lover of pink but you don't want to cover your entire space in pink, you can liven up you room with pink pillows/cushions, accessories.

Purple

Purple is usually associated with royalty, wealth and luxury, as an accent or secondary colour, it might be what you need to give your surroundings a new vibe. being a combination of the calmness of blue and the excitement of red, it adds a certain flair to any room its used in. Lighter versions of purple, such as lavender and lilac, bring the same restful quality to bedrooms as blue does, but without the risk of feeling chilly. Purple is a rich colour that can be very dramatic, depending on the shade that’s being used. this makes it an ideal colour for those looking to make their home appear more luxurious with minimal effort. Purple, in its darkest values (eggplant, for example), is rich, dramatic and sophisticated. However, some say there’s one place where you shouldn't apply this colour which is in the bedroom or any room used for relaxation because purple tends to stimulate the creative part of the brain,

Yellow

Yellow captures the joy of sunshine and communicates happiness. It is an excellent choice for kitchens, dining rooms and bathrooms. In halls, entries and small spaces, yellow can feel expansive and welcoming. Even though yellow although is a cheery colour, it is not an ideal choice for main colour schemes. Studies have shown that people are more likely to have feelings of frustration and anger in a yellow interior. Babies also seem to cry more in yellow rooms. In large amounts, this colour tends to create feelings of frustration and anger. So its essential to use this colour in small doses.  it also activates memory, stimulates the nervous system, promotes communication and sparks creativity.

Orange

"Orange has steadily progressed up the ladder of consumer preferences so there's a greater appreciation of the colour," says colour expert Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Colour Institute and author of the book Colours for Your Every Mood. "Orange is the child of red and yellow. It gives you the excitement of red, but at the same time, the welcoming, friendly, warm aspect of yellow." This golden colour may appear welcoming, but think twice before applying it to a home gym because its gotten from the colour red which is a known appetite stimulant but if you really insist on using it for your gym, its suggested you use brighter variations to help increase energy. It is best reserved for the kitchen or dining room but in a bedroom, it is advisable to use a soothing peach tone. Orange also draws attention when its used in a room so its suitable for living rooms as well. For a relaxing space, consider mixing apricot with deep browns and greys. For those who crave energy and excitement, a combination of bright orange, pink and yellow citrus makes any room alive.

Neutrals (Black, White, Gray, Brown)

Brown 

"Chocolate brown makes me, as a designer, think of cocooning,” says Wiener. “Painted on all four walls, the room feels more cozy, snug and safe.”  Consider using a rich hue of cocoa for any space in your home where loved ones may gather to invoke a sense of intimacy and togetherness.

White

White may appear bland, but some interior designers say they love working with this shade because it feels “airy" and "open,” giving the illusion of more space in a room. Consider painting the walls of a cramped spot in your home white to make it appear bigger. And if you really want to jazz up plain white walls, add a painting or framed photograph.

Black

Not for the timid, black is very dramatic and has the ability to give bare walls an elegant flair. Like brown, black can invoke feelings of staying indoors. However, some may have negative  connotations associated with this colour, which could provoke feelings of melancholy. Try using black in small doses or, if you’re daring enough to go all out, make sure it has a shiny finish to make it look more polished than drab. As an alternative, try a lighter variation instead. Grey is a neutral shade and is always good in a home, You can add colour to spice things up and subtract it to calm things down.