COLOUR AND PSYCHOLOGY:

The balance or imbalance of our hormones affects our emotions, and these are in turn affected by colour. Colours are associated with different moods and emotions. Certain colours can calm us while others stimulate our minds. Here is a brief guide to colours and their psychological associations. We also recommend where and where not to use them in specific areas of your home.

REDS / BURGUNDIES: Vital, powerful, warm, cosy, sensual, determined, friendly, courageous, assertive, antidepressant, angry, impatient.

Colour effect: Warms, cherishes, makes rooms smaller.

Recommended spaces: Small areas, finishing touches, kitchen, hall, stairs, exercise room, playroom.

Do not use in: Bedroom, workshop, healing room, study.

SOFT PINKS: Emotionally soothing and calming, gently warming, kind, considerate, unselfish loving.

Effect: Nurturing, gently relaxing, sedating, restful.

Recommended spaces: Nursery (pale), bedroom, kitchen (salmon), therapy room, room for the elderly, young child’s room.

Do not use in: Kitchen, playroom, living room, dining room, recreation room, bathroom, hall, study, bedroom (peach)

ORANGE / PEACH / RUST / TERRACOTTA: Warm, secure, glowing, creative, stimulating, uplifting, bringing laughter and joy, harmonious.

Colour effect: Warming, aids digestion, relaxing, gives feeling of support and friendliness.

Recommended spaces: Kitchen, playroom, living room, dining room, recreation room, bedroom hall, study, bedroom (peach)

Do not use in: Study, bedroom, office, relaxation / therapy room

YELLOWS / OCHRES: Uplifting, happy, light, bright, mentally stimulating, logical, intelligent, orderly, optimistic, clear thinking, fruitful.

Colour effect: Brightens, enlivens, sunny, mentally stimulating.

Recommended spaces: Living room, dining room, family room, kitchen, bedroom, (cream only), study (cream).

Do not use in: Bedroom, bathroom

GREENS: Harmonising, mental and physical relaxation, peaceful, natural, cooling, calming, balancing, sincere, secure, free, contented, sharing, self control, generous.

Colour effect: Cools and enlarges space, can be cold and neutral on its own, creates a quiet and tranquil room, darker green gives a rich but neutral look.

Recommended spaces: Kitchen, bedroom, breakfast / dining room, patio, sitting / living room, relaxation area.

Do not use in: Activity room, cold or dark room.

TURQUOISE / BLUE GREENS: Refreshing, cooling, mentally calming, youthful, strengthening concentration and control over speech and powers of communication, confidence.

Colour effect: Creates a cool, larger room, fresh, uplifting, does not distract if you need to work, clears and head and aids communication.

Recommended spaces: Small room, bathroom, bedroom, study, teenagers room, home gym.

Do not use in: Dining room, playroom.

BLUES: Cooling, cleansing, relaxing, bringing peace, tranquility and wisdom, spacious like the ea and sky, sensitive, hopeful, faithful, trusting, flexible, reassuring, accepting.

Colour effect: Creates large. Cool, airy space, cam be cold and sterile unless balanced with warm colours, relaxing and peaceful.

Recommended spaces: Treatment room, relaxation area, bedroom, bathroom, sauna, nursery (light blues) study if combined with warm colours.

Do not use in: Dining area, cold or dark room, entertainment area, hallway, stairs.

VIOLETS/ LILACS: Dramatic, spiritual, creative, intuitive, meditative, mystical, inspirational of beauty and art, protective, cleansing.

Colour effect: Ensure occupants have personalities that can cope with violet.

Recommended spaces: Treatment room, bedroom, study, mediatation room, sanctuary.

Do not use in: Where anyone suffers from mental problems

PURPLE: Dramatic, spiritual, creative, intuitive, meditative, mystical, inspirational of beauty and art, protective, cleansing.

Colour effect: Creates a rich, enclosed space, warm but powerful.

Recommended spaces: Hall (use sparingly), living room, dining room (only with contrasting colours), mediation space.

Do not use in: Kitchen, dining room, office.

MAGENTA / DEEP PINKS: Supportive, natural, yielding, compassionate, kind, considerate.

Colour effect: Creates a rich, enclosed space, warm but powerful.

Recommended spaces: Entrance hall, bedroom, study, room for the elderly (light tints only).

Do not use in: Office, kitchen, bathroom.

BROWNS: Nurturing, earthy, supportive, retreating, narrow-minded.

Colour effect: Warm, nurturing, earthy, safe.

Recommended spaces: Use warm neutrals - all areas, in floors to set off other colours, furniture.

Do not use in: Bedroom, living room, kitchen, dining room, relaxation room.

WHITE: Peaceful, purifying, cold, isolating, creating space to think.

Colour effect: Creates a cool and airy feeling.

Recommended spaces: Use pure white as accent to highlight colours; off-white come in many shades, all rooms with contrasting colours.

Do not use in: Pure white can be as frightening as pure black and can also be cold and clinical. Use with other colours or soft whites.

GREYS: Independent, self-reliant, separating, lonely, self-critical.

Colour effect: The most neutral of all colours, undistracting, but bland and uninspiring used on its own.

Recommended spaces: Use sparingly to highlight other colours.

Do not use in: Where there is anyone suffering from chronic tiredness, fatigue or depression.