Imagine stepping into a house where the colours instantly uplift your mood, evoke tranquillity, or spark joy. Colour selection plays a pivotal role in creating a harmonious and emotionally appealing home. Beyond mere aesthetics, colours have the power to influence our moods, emotions, and overall well-being.
I remember a client who moved into her new home. Like many others, she faced the daunting task of renovating her house to turn it into a space that reflected her style and personality.
She knew that selecting the best colours for her new house will provide a huge impact on turning her dream home into a reality. That’s also when she knew she should work with someone who can help her with the renovation to give her home style and personality.
The Importance of Colour in Home Renovation
Colours can evoke feelings of happiness, calmness, excitement, or nostalgia. Our client’s home was too monochromatic, making it look dull and lifeless. Adding colours made a huge impact on her house’s transformation because colours have a profound impact on our psyche.
When it comes to home design, selecting the right colours can turn a simple space into a sanctuary.
Understanding the Psychology of Colours
Before diving into the intricacies of colour selection, it’s essential to understand the psychology behind different colours. Here are a few popular hues and the emotions they typically evoke:
- Red: A vibrant and energetic colour, often associated with passion, power, and warmth.
- Blue: A calming and serene colour, known for its ability to promote relaxation and tranquillity.
- Yellow: A cheerful and uplifting colour that brings about feelings of happiness and optimism.
- Green: A refreshing and rejuvenating colour, symbolises nature, growth, and harmony.
- Purple: A mysterious and luxurious colour, often associated with creativity, spirituality, and wisdom.
- Orange: A bold and energetic colour that exudes enthusiasm, excitement, and friendliness.
How to Choose Colours for Different Rooms
To create an emotionally appealing home, select colours that align with the purpose of each room, but be careful not to overdo it. The colour selection for the walls and large sections of the room should complement the house’s overall design.
Here are the general recommendations for different areas:
Living Room: Welcoming and Vibrant
The living room serves as the heart of the home, where friends and family gather to relax and socialise. To make this space inviting and vibrant, consider warm and welcoming colours like earthy tones, soft neutrals, or warm shades of orange. These colours promote a sense of togetherness and create a cosy atmosphere for conversations and relaxation.
Bedroom: Serene and Relaxing
The bedroom is a sanctuary for rest and rejuvenation. Opt for soothing and calming colours like soft blues, gentle greens, or lavender shades. These hues promote a peaceful ambience, helping you unwind after a long day and facilitating a good night’s sleep.
Kitchen: Warm and Inviting
In the kitchen, where nourishment and creativity intertwine, it’s beneficial to incorporate warm and inviting colours. Shades of yellow, soft oranges or warm neutrals can stimulate appetite and create an energetic environment. These colours can also enhance natural light and make the area feel more spacious.
Bathroom: Clean and Refreshing
For bathrooms, cleanliness and freshness are key. Light and airy colours like whites, pastels, or shades of blue can create a clean and refreshing atmosphere. These colours also evoke a spa-like ambience, contributing to a sense of relaxation and rejuvenation.
Study/Office: Focused and Productive
To promote focus and productivity in your study or home office, consider colours that encourage concentration. Shades of green, muted blues, or earthy tones can provide a calm and grounded environment, enhancing your ability to concentrate on tasks.
Harmonising Colours in Different Areas
While it’s important to choose colours that align with the purpose of a room, it’s equally important to ensure harmony and flow throughout the house. Selecting a cohesive colour palette or theme can create a seamless transition from one room to another, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal of your home.
More Tips on Colour Selection for House Design
You can also use colours to accentuate, highlight, or dampen the light, design, or other colours in the areas of your home. Here are some tips on how to do it:
- Accentuating architectural features
- Incorporating personal preferences
- Enhancing natural light with colours
- Using neutrals and bold colours
- Creating contrast and balance
- Avoiding common mistakes
Accentuating Architectural Features
Colours can be used strategically to accentuate architectural features and highlight the unique characteristics of your house. Consider using contrasting colours to draw attention to focal points like exposed brick walls, decorative mouldings, or interesting ceiling designs. This technique adds depth and visual interest to your space, making it more visually appealing.
Incorporating Personal Preferences
While understanding the psychological impact of colours is crucial, you should also incorporate your personal preferences, as your home should reflect your personality and be a place you can relax in and enjoy. It’s possible to infuse your favourite colours or experiment with unique combinations that align with your individual taste.
It’s highly advisable to consult a professional to help you with the colour selection for your house to ensure that your choices will complement the overall aesthetics of your home.
Enhancing Natural Light with Colours
Natural light has a significant influence on the perception of colours within a space. If your house receives abundant natural light, use lighter shades to enhance the brightness and create an airy atmosphere.
If your space lacks natural light, use warm and vibrant colours to compensate for the lack of sunlight and create a cosy ambience.
Using Neutrals and Bold Colours
Neutrals are versatile and timeless, serving as a solid foundation for any colour scheme. They provide balance and allow other colours to shine.
Consider using neutral tones like whites, creams, or soft greys as the base colours for your walls and furniture, and incorporate bold colours through accessories, artwork, or statement pieces. This approach allows you to experiment with colours while maintaining a sense of sophistication and flexibility.
Creating Contrast and Balance
The art of colour selection involves creating contrast and balance within a space. Pairing complementary colours, such as blues and oranges, or creating a monochromatic scheme with varying shades and tones can bring depth and visual interest.
Examples of How You Can Incorporate Colours in Your Space
As I mentioned before, our client’s house was too monochromatic before the renovation, which wasn’t an accurate representation of her personal style. Adding some colours and texture to it created interest and made her space look exciting.
Here’s how we helped her:
Living room
We incorporated an accent wall painted in a bold and vibrant colour. This feature served as the focal point, instantly drawing attention and infusing the room with energy and personality.
Adding textured wallpaper or introducing a mix of patterned cushions and throws created layers of visual interest.
Bedroom
We installed a statement headboard with intricate detailing. Adding a luxurious fabric upholstery also created a visual interest and a sense of opulence and allure. Incorporating a mix of complementary colours through bedding, curtains, and accessories will enhance the overall visual appeal.
Kitchen
We also updated her cabinetry and countertops. We proposed incorporating a combination of materials, such as textured tiles for the backsplash and adding a contrasting island or breakfast bar. These changes would not only introduce visual interest but also provide a functional and stylish space for culinary adventures.
Bathroom
We replaced her plain tiles with a mosaic pattern, creating a captivating feature wall. We also installed stylish vanities with unique finishes and incorporated lighting fixtures that highlighted the beauty of the space. These changes elevated the visual appeal of the bathroom, turning it into a sanctuary of style and indulgence.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
While exploring colour options for your house, be aware of common mistakes that can impact the overall aesthetic appeal of the house. Avoid these pitfalls:
- Choosing colours solely based on trends without considering personal preferences and long-term satisfaction.
- Overwhelming small spaces with dark or vibrant colours, it will make a person feel cramped and confined.
- Ignoring the impact of lighting conditions on the perception of colours.
- Neglecting the importance of colour coordination and flow between different rooms.
Seeking Professional Guidance
To make sure you make the best choices with your colour selection, don’t hesitate to seek professional guidance. Interior designers and architects can provide valuable insights and help you navigate the vast world of colours, ensuring your home reflects your emotions and personal style.
If you want to maximise your investment, work with an experienced builder that has tackled similar projects in the past.
MKJ Projects has been in the industry for more than a decade. We are a member of the Master Builders Association and a NSW Fair Trading Builders License Holder.
For more details, request a quote now!
