Colour can make you feel cosier says interior expert Oliver

RESEARCH from E.ON reveals colour and furnishings can have an impact on the perceived temperature of a room. They have teamed up with interiors expert Oliver Heath to show how maximising colour and light can make you feel cosier. Here are his tips: Use natural light to your advantage. Light bounces into your room through windows and glass/patio doors.

Paint window sills in light reflective colours – white works very well. Keep window sills clear of clutter and decorative items. Place reflective items such as mirrors or glass-framed pictures near windows to help light reflect back into the room. The floor near windows and patio doors can also be a reflector – lighter coloured surfaces will bounce light deeper into the room

Keep windows clean and clear from obstructions. On the exterior, keep windows clear of debris and dirt by cleaning them every six weeks. Inside the home, consider over-extending the curtain poles beyond the window frame, so that curtains do not obstruct the windows and restrict light coming in.

Clever curtains. Thick curtains will not only insulate your windows against heat loss in the cold winter months but can also help reduce solar heat gain in the summer by preventing the sun’s heat from infiltrating the room and soaking into the floors walls and furniture.

Which direction is your room facing? Consider the orientation of your room and maximise the different shades of natural daylight:

North facing rooms have cooler natural light and a lack of direct sunlight. Use lighter, warmer shades such as warm whites, light yellow, pinks, or neutral stone and woody colours to compensate, but avoid grey shades which can feel cold and heavy.

South facing rooms have warmer direct sunlight. Make use of a greater range of colours, from rich warm reds, oranges and yellows to cooler fresher greens, blues and turquoises.

Be aware that all white or bright colours may be too dazzling once hit by full sunlight.

East facing rooms have plenty of energetic morning light reducing to cooler light by the evening. Use colour to create a feeling of warmth and energy in the space, such as vibrant greens, yellows and blues. However, if you feel this may be too much to wake up to in the mornings, opt for a neutral palette of natural muted colours, which will be warmed by the morning sun.

West facing rooms have evening light and sunset tones, meaning this room will go from cool light in the morning to warm in the evening. Neutral, cool or grey colours such as natural tan, stone, mauve, blue and green can be used, benefitting from the additional warmth of evening light. If you want to opt for a calmer space in the evenings, go for a tonal range of colour.

Know your colours. Richer colours such as reds, purples and oranges will add a warmer, cosier feel whilst lighter, airier colours such as blues, turquoises and greens will feel cooler.

Tonal colour schemes will create a sense of calm and can be used to great success if the colours that you choose are from a warm palette containing red, orange and yellow.

Splash some colour on your walls. Try to keep the colours near the window light or white, so a vibrant or bold colour can be focused on a feature wall for a playful contemporary look. Consider tonal ranges of a colour, keeping the lighter shades near the window. This will have a calming effect on the room.

Think about seasonal fabrics to introduce colour throughout the year. Consider having a summer and winter range of cushion covers, and add a throw in the winter .

Discreetly introduce a colour into the room – use the colour on just one or two items in the room, such as a door panel, piece of furniture or back panel of a bookcase.