HOW TO CHOOSE A COLOUR FOR EVERY ROOM OF YOUR HOUSE

The colour you put on your walls can have a profound effect on the ambience of the room, and the way you feel. It pays to consider not only the colours you like, but where they will work best. Here’s how to use colour psychology to create a palette that will set the right mood.

Calming: Colours associated with nature, particularly green and blue, are known to calm the mind and bring stability, hence their popularity on bedroom walls. Green in particular is the easiest colour for the eye to detect and has been shown to aid focus and concentration in schools and offices, making it a good option for workspaces.

Uplifting: There’s a reason why pink has been so fashionable for the past few years: it’s an optimistic, uplifting colour that produces contentment. It also flatters any skin tone, making it a good choice for bathroom tiles, and entertaining spaces such as living rooms. Yellow is another cheerful colour, but easier to use as an accent shade.

Comforting: As Dulux’s Marianne Shillingford advises, to create a comforting effect, go for walls that don’t challenge the eye – warm neutrals such as taupe and sand, as well as deeper shades of brown and terracotta. Deeper natureinspired tones such as navy blue and dark green can also feel warm and cosseting – especially when not contrasted with white wood and ceilings.

Energising: Deep reds, brighter pinks and oranges help to stimulate thought and conversation – one reason why red walls are more often seen in a dining room or living room than a bedroom. These brighter colours can also suit a home office, depending on whether your job requires creative ideas, rather than calm concentration.