We already know how colors can influence our mood and equally reflect our personality, but when it comes to decorating the home, what are the best colors to use to evoke feelings of joy and happiness?
With so many hues to choose from, Lorna McAleer, interiors expert at at Style Studio, has whittled down the best colors that will boost your mood and help create a happy home environment.
1. Yellow
Are you searching for the most uplifting color? Look no further than yellow.
"Upbeat and friendly, yellow is the color of happiness and sunlight," says Lorna. "It is also reported to cause the release of serotonin, a neurotransmitter chemical that contributes to a feeling of wellbeing. So, scientifically speaking, it's the best color to lift the spirits."
Whether light and airy or bold and bright, the color yellow also has the power to stimulate creativity. While undoubtedly bringing vibrancy to any room in the home, Lorna suggests using yellow in bedrooms and bathrooms.
Tip: Yellow can be overpowering, so allow yellow accents to shine against a sophisticated grey backdrop.
2. Green
This year Pantone named Greenery as its Color of the Year and it's calming and soothing connotations will bring contentment to your life.
Lorna explains: "Green mimics nature. In its softer forms, green is a soothing shade that aids concentration and relaxation. Bolder greens are the sign for 'go' and can have a galvanizing effect.
"Using green in the home can have a grounding effect that connects homeowners to the outdoors. The correct shade will make a room feel like it links seamlessly to what's outside the window."
Tip: Mix and match tones of green by drawing inspiration from the garden.
3. Blue
Blue is a calming, serene color that, even in its bolder forms, is considered beneficial to the mind and body. Dulux named its blue shade Denim Drift as its Color of the Year this year and Pantone even identified the official color of optimism as an airy shade of blue.
"Blue symbolizes loyalty and trust. Those who choose blue are considered confident and dependable," says Lorna. "People have been found to be more productive in a blue room because they are calm and focused. Blue tones work best in bathrooms, studies, and bedrooms. It's also an ideal color for small rooms."
Tip: Use a blue with a warm undertone to stop the room from feeling cold. Create the illusion of space with similar tones on the walls, moldings and floor to merge the boundaries of the room.
4. Pink
"Pink is the choice of a loving, kind and generous individual," explains Lorna. "Pale pink reflects warmth and sensitivity. It's also the color of romance and sensuality.
"Meanwhile vibrant pink signifies an optimistic outlook on life. It is fun, energetic, and inspirational. Pink is best used in domestic spaces such as living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms."
Tip: Pink can make a space feel small. This color is best used in a space with large windows or a space that gets a lot of light.
5. Red
Red is a bold and confident shade, and "studies show that red raises the heart rate and induces emotion, so it is ideal for energetic homeowners who like to get things done," says Lorna.
How can you decorate with red? "Red demands attention and denotes a lust for life. It symbolizes optimism, confidence, and vitality," Lorna explains. "Red used in living spaces will make a room feel opulent and welcoming. It also creates the perception of warmth, especially during the winter months."
Tip: Red can be intense, so introducing pattern can tone it down without losing the vibrancy.
Olivia Heath is the Daily Editor at House Beautiful. Heading up all things digital, Olivia loves nothing more than uncovering tomorrow's biggest design trends and revealing the best tips and tricks to help you decorate your home like an interior designer. Week by week Olivia shares the most stylish high street buys to help you get the look for less (while compiling her very own, and rather lengthy, homeware lust list) and showcases the best makeovers (who doesn't love a before & after?), as well as the hottest and most unique properties on the market.
Prior to making the switch to interiors on House Beautiful, Olivia worked at Reveal magazine, where she reported on celebrity and entertainment news by day, and attended showbiz parties and red carpet events by night! Olivia has an MA in Journalism with an NCTJ qualification, as well as a BA in Journalism and Media & Cultural Studies.
