How to Choose the Right Room Colour Using Colour Psychology

Discover the various benefits that different colours can bring, whether used on your walls or for soft furnishings.

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If you’ve ever wondered why you feel relaxed and comfortable in one space and tense or angry in another, it may have something to do with the colour of the room you’re in. Colour has the ability to influence our emotions and perceptions on a subconscious level. Blue, for example, can make you feel calm, orange and yellow can make you feel hungry, red and pink can make you feel energetic, while purple can make you feel more productive.

Since colour can influence your mood, emotions and behaviour, here we have come up with mood-enhancing colour suggestions for every room in your home based on colour psychology to inspire your upcoming home renovation!

1. Colour ideas for the bedroom

Your bedroom is a haven of peace and relaxation. Consider incorporating green, blue, or purple hues into your bedroom design as these colours evoke feelings of peace and solitude. These colours can also be used in lighter tones, such as cream or white, to promote calm and restfulness in your bedroom.

Take a cue from Fuyu Dezain’s bedroom design. The most stressful days can melt away as you get ready for bed when you are surrounded by this combination of different blue shades while offering a cocoon-like feeling to the space.

Colours you should avoid

Avoid using bright colours like orange and yellow in the bedroom. They reflect more light and overstimulate a person's eyes, which contradicts the relaxing atmosphere of your bedroom.

2. Colour ideas for the living room

The living room is a place where people can socialise or relax. Consider calming tones such as green, blue, or purple when selecting a colour for your living room as these colours exude happiness and encourage people to converse.

Take design inspiration from this living room designed by Airhost. A forest green feature wall and green carpet anchor the space, while houseplants and artwork amplify the colour scheme to create a super cosy environment for lounging or socialising.

Colours you should avoid

Avoid using orange as the base colour for your living room because it is too vibrant to promote relaxation, especially if you spend the majority of your time in this space lounging rather than hosting/ entertaining guests.

3. Colour ideas for the kitchen

The kitchen is often the space where the family gathers to prepare meals or eat. Consider using shades of red, yellow, orange, or cream in your kitchen as these colours can give you an uplifting sense of joy and liveliness while encouraging conversation.

Take a cue from this kitchen designed by Surface R that features custom built-in cabinets and a kitchen island finished in a light cream colour. This colour scheme can help to gently lift your mood and motivate you to begin the day.

Colours you should avoid

Conversely, dark colours like black or brown have the opposite effect, and may not be as ideal for perking you up in the morning.

4. Colour ideas for the dining room

A dining area is a place where you dine with your family or friends. Consider using vibrant colours such as red, orange, green, or purple as these colours can promote a sense of warmth, positive energy, and happy vibes while stimulating your appetite.

Take inspiration from this dining area designed by EMPT Studio, which features a splash of red and green. The red colour is known to enhance metabolism, which increases appetite, whereas the green colour may have a positive impact on our thinking and relationships, which is useful when entertaining guests or having a family meal together.

Colours you should avoid

Avoid using soothing hues like blue. This colour reduces blood pressure, slows respiration and heart rate which will make you feel less hungry!

5. Colour ideas for the bathroom

A bathroom is a place to rejuvenate and refresh. Consider colours such as white, soft grey, cream, or light purple as these colours are often associated with purity, cleanliness, hygiene and freshness and can transform your bathroom into a relaxing environment.

Take a cue from this bathroom designed by PINS Studio, which features a simple neutral colour scheme of white and grey. The terracotta floor and grey cement walls create a soothing and cooling environment in the room, while the white tiles make the room appear brighter and bigger.

Colours you should avoid

Avoid using bright, vibrant colours like orange or red. These colours can raise your heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration rate, which is not ideal for a relaxing environment.

6. Colour ideas for the home office

A home office is a place where we want to be as productive as possible. Consider using colours like blue, green or purple as these colours can help you to think more clearly, stay focused, and be more creative.

Take a cue from this home office designed by SQFT Space Design Management that comes with light blue walls. The colour stimulates the mind, concentration, and emotional balance, allowing you to concentrate on your work for longer periods of time.

Colours to avoid

While bright colours like red, yellow, and orange can increase positivity and happiness in the work space, they can also stimulate your appetite and make you feel hungry. Dark colours, such as dark blue, dark green, or dark grey on the other hand, create a gloomy, dreary atmosphere in an office setting.

7. Colour ideas for the child’s bedroom or nursery

Although a child's bedroom or nursery is intended for rest and sleep, it should also have a fun and uplifting element. Consider using blue, pink, purple, or green in your child's bedroom because these colours promote cheerfulness, playfulness and excitement.

Take a cue from this child’s bedroom designed by Blaine Robert. To create a relaxing atmosphere in the bedroom, the ceiling is painted dark blue. It is paired with a cove light to illuminate the ceiling at night, rather than other bright colours in the room. Meanwhile, the rest of the bedroom is decorated in bright, cheerful colours like pink, yellow, and orange to boost happiness and provide an uplifting effect when the child wakes up in the morning.

Colours you should avoid

Avoid using too much yellow in your child's bedroom because it can cause visual fatigue and anxiety over time. Bright yellow can also elicit feelings of rage and frustration, leading to a fussy, over-stimulated child. You should also avoid using grey in children's rooms because it inhibits your child's creativity.

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