There is no denying that colour can affect our mood. For instance, which emotions do you feel when you think of the colour red? Anger, danger and love? How about the colour blue – calm, peaceful and at rest?
Those who are sensitive to their surrounds feel the effects, whereas others may not notice one way or another until their consciousness is drawn to it. Certain groups of colours tend to provoke a similar reaction from a majority of people; variations come from shades and tones, age, gender and emotional climate.
Why is it important to choose colours wisely when it comes to decorating? Your colour choice is a direct reflection of your personality; it can impact on your mood and behaviour. So, taking all of the above points into consideration, here is a guide to choosing the perfect bedroom colour for you.
Green
Shades of green are calming and reassuring. On a primitive level the colour green tells us we are safe and able to relax. A green toned bedroom is said to create a tranquil sleeping environment that promotes good health and an ‘at oneness’ with nature. Green is a balanced colour sitting between red and blue, while offering a warmer alternative to blue. Moss, sage and olive are all recommended tones.
Blue
Who doesn’t enjoy looking up into a blue sky, across a lake or out to sea? There is something utterly calming about an expanse of blue. It appears to free the mind, sooth and creates a sense of serenity. As bedroom colour research suggests, blue prevents the likelihood of nightmares, slows heart rate and reduces blood pressure. When accented with silver which is said to help you fall asleep quicker, you’ll be creating a very productive sleep environment. Blue can be seen as a chilly colour, so choose a variety of tones to find your perfect scheme. Popular warmer blues are navy blue, duck egg blue and slate blue.
Light Purple
Different tones of purple have very different effects on sleeping. Lighter shades of purple such as lilac, lavender and mauve have a calming and relaxing effect on mood. These shades are also associated with helping fertility, whilst darker shades of purple can increase and inspire creativity, with a direct link to inducing vivid dreams and nightmares.
Pinks
Colour psychology suggests that pink is a colour that is usually associated with love and romance. It is also thought to be calming and warm and to have a peaceful and restful effect when used as a bedroom colour. Pink is versatile and can be mixed into a variety of shades and tones. It can be teamed with a number of other colours to add depth to a room. Our favourite combinations are sage green, charcoal and navy blue.
Primary colours
When looking for a bedroom colour steer away from bold primary colours as they offer fewer tones and hence lessen the feeling of warmth. They are not considered psychologically calming, thus unproductive for promoting relaxation and sleep.
Pantone & Dulux have both recently announced their ‘Colour of the Year 2019’. Pantone has selected the uplifting hue of Living Coral, while Dulux opted for the more calming shade of Spiced Honey. It’ll be interesting to see which of these colours are most favoured in the bedroom!
With many thanks to Faye Johnson at Lime Lace Interiors, Harrogate, North Yorkshire.
