Create the right mood with the right colours

Colours affect our psyche. So choose the right shade with care, says Nivedita Choudhuri.

Colour is an everyday part of our lives though some of us have an eye for what works while others don’t. It is a crucial component of interior design, and not merely from an artistic standpoint.

The bearing colour has on the human mind and its tendency to influence our moods has been well documented. For instance, green is the colour of nature and is seen as calm and soothing, whereas red is invigorating and a few shades of blue are seen as cold. However, whether you fancy cool blues or vibrant reds, make the most out of colours for your home.

Another reason why getting colour schemes right in a home is so critical is because the hues and the tints that are chosen can have a huge effect on the perception of the size of a room. The same room in two identical houses will appear to be poles apart if they are painted in different colours.

When considering the use of colour, it is necessary to have a sense of realism. For example, a household in which there are toddlers or pets would do well to steer clear of upholstery fabric in light shades such as cream or white.

When it comes to decorating, skimming over paint charts is thrilling and better still is the moment when you first take the lid off your chosen tin of paint. Colour can create moods and even improve your mental well-being.

Colours used to decorate rooms in a house can affect the occupants’ moods. Red, for example, is associated with peril, ardour, vigour, oomph, warmth, excitement and buoyancy. It is best used in dining rooms as it promotes gregariousness and lively feelings and stimulates appetites. On the flip side, it can be overwhelming and lead to headaches. You could vary the shade, paint one wall red or use it for accessories only. Don’t use red in a baby’s room.

Pink, or, as the legendary singer Dean Martin sang “That’s amore”, is best used in boudoirs as it can be serene and soporific. However, the colour pink can be very girly and sickly sweet. Introduce hints of dark charcoal or black to counteract this.

The colour orange is associated with steadiness, assurance, warmth and is even thought to aid digestion! It is best for living and dining rooms. The drawback of using orange is it might keep the residents awake when used in a bedroom. It could make a room smaller, so make sure the room gets enough light.

The colour green is seen as comforting and calming (halfway between red and blue). It also stands for energy, safety and strength. Best used in bedrooms and living rooms, too much green is believed to make people laid back and blasé. Inject a dose of red or orange to balance these feelings.

And then we come to blue. Imagining Mr Frank Sinatra crooning in the background the dulcet tones of “Ol’ blue eyes”? Well, it would not be out of place to say that blue – like the singer – is cool. It promotes intellectual thoughts, prevents nightmares and is even believed to keep hunger pangs at bay! Take note of that, weight watchers! It is best for bedrooms, bathrooms and study rooms. However, the colour can seem cold and unwelcoming. Make sure you choose a shade of blue with a warm undertone so that your rooms don’t appear too chilly.

Just as the “Yellow Submarine” warmed the hearts of Beatles fans in the 1960s, the colour yellow radiates sunshine and energy and stimulates the intellect. The colour goes very well in kitchens, dining rooms or north-facing rooms.  However, it is not very restful for a bedroom. Yellow apparently enhances feelings of misery and agony.

Lilac, and the first thing that comes to mind is lavender fields in myriad shades, suggests something spiritual and feminine. Create a stress-free haven at home by painting your bedroom or bathroom in a shade of restful lilac. However, the colour can be insipid. Liven up your room if you have done it up in a shade of lilac by using black or silver-coloured accessories or both.

Purple is also good for bedrooms, but it can seem overpowering. Associated with creativity and joy, the colour is also thought to relate to magic and evil. Brown on the other hand may seem dull and you could introduce hues of green and blue to make a room painted brown appear lively. Best used on the walls of living rooms, it is seen as a practical colour.

What we have left now is black. Don’t just imagine the Grim Reaper knocking at your door. You may use black as a base colour and to temper the saccharine effect of colours such as pink, but don’t use it as a base colour. So, the next time you reach for the colour chart and ponder over a diverse range of earthy neutrals, airy pastels and rich berry tones, select a shade that is just right for your psyche.