Colours that make you smile

There is nothing quite like opening the front door of your home and feeling your whole mood lift. It’s the sure sign of a house that is a true reflection of you and your family, but where do you start in creating a haven that makes you happy?

COLOUR IS KEY

The impact of different colours on our mood is a huge and fascinating area of human psychology, but it can also be a little overwhelming.

Our relationship and response to colours is also very personal, based on our own experiences, memories and associations. The best advice is to trust your instincts and your personal taste. After all, nothing is going to make you happier than seeing a colour combination you have chosen simply because you like it.

Start with a list of each room in your home and the feeling you want it to evoke, such as comfort, creativity, individuality, warmth, togetherness, calm. Then create a mood board of Resene paint swatches, and images you respond to, from magazines, personal photos, advertising, art and books.

CLASSIC MOOD LIFTERS

Yellow has to be up there for being a happy colour. At its sunshiny best, it lifts the spirits and as a rich gold, it feels luxe and confident. It’s the colour of optimism, confidence and creativity. Buttery yellows are easiest to live with. Try Resene

Quarter Moonbeam for a pale uplifting yellow, and

Resene Chorus Line for an on-trend ochre. Red is an energising colour, known to lift your mood and increase your appetite. For a room that is inviting and sophisticated, try deep reds like the ever-popular Resene

Pohutukawa. For a more stimulating feel, use a cheerful red like Resene Poppy.

LIGHT IT UP

Creative use of artificial lighting will also lift the look of a room so think about adding dimmers to downlights so you can change the lighting to suit your mood or the room’s use.

And always make the most of natural light where you can. Use curtains that pull right back. It keeps your indoors connected with the outdoors, and floods rooms with natural light - all proven mood lifters.

ENGAGE THE SENSES

As well as how a room looks, think about how it impacts your other senses. Play with textures like silk, velvet or even rattan in your furnishings. Think about the finishes of walls and floors with Resene Colorwood Whitewash or Resene wallpapers.

Remember different shades, intensity, light levels and even cultural history, will all impact how colours make you feel. So trust your instincts! Your home, your choice!

For more weathered blues and colour inspiration visit your Resene ColorShop.

Two uplifting and cheerful reds have been cleverly used together; Resene Poppy on the upper wall and Resene Dynamite on the lower wall. Floor vase painted in Resene Raging Bull, the shelf vase in Resene Moccasin and the floor stencil is painted in a base colour of Resene Wishing Well, also used in the matching side table with Resene Time After Time.

Summery colours and house plants make us feel good. The walls in this room are painted in Resene Black White and the floor is in Resene Jordy Blue. All photos supplied by Resene.