Uplifting paint colors
8 Happy Paint Colours For An Instant Mood Lift
John Lewis & Partners
Green, yellow and pink are among the most popular paint colours for lifting spirits in the home.
To help households find the perfect wall colours for a happy home, the team at MyJobQuote.co.uk turned to Environmental Psychologist, Lee Chambers, to find out which shades can make us feel instantly happier.
While it's no surprise that colours like orange and yellow make the list, some more surprising hues include grey and purple. Whether you're on the hunt for some interior inspiration or want to dabble in a little decorating, take a look at some of the mood-boosting colours that will cheer you up...
1. Green
Voted the most popular wall colour on Instagram, green has been praised for its 'refreshing quality' which can help to clear the mind. If you're looking to improve your wellbeing in 2021, try tapping into this natural hue.
'Green can be particularly stimulating to those who are striving for personal growth as it subconsciously reminds us of the natural world,' adds Lee.
2. Grey
Grey stands as the second most popular wall colour – and is a timeless choice for many homes around the UK. According to Lee, it 'provides a crisp and refreshing atmosphere' which is known to 'increase productivity'.
If you're planning to decorate using the hue, avoid painting every wall grey: 'Too dark a shade can dull your surroundings, setting up a more depressing mood.' You can easily elevate tired-looking corners with grey accessories, a rug, or curtains.
HB recommends... Choose a fluffy grey rug to add texture to your living room.
House Beautiful/Rachel Whiting
3. Blue
Taking the third spot is blue — a striking hue which has become increasingly more popular thanks to Instagram. 'This colour can be soothing and make you feel secure. However, much like grey, certain shades can evoke an element of coldness and sadness,' explains Lee.
Want to add a refreshing touch of blue decor to your home? For something subtle, keep everything neutral and opt for soft blue accents.
If you're feeling brave, however, opt for an all-over deep indigo transformation with a hue like Farrow & Ball's Hague Blue. It's a surefire way to boost your mood.
4. Pink
Pink has taken the fourth spot, with Lee describing it as 'the colour of hope' and one that can make people 'feel empowered'. Pink can also help to increase energy and motivation — perfect if you're not an early riser.
HB recommends... To avoid your pink walls looking too sickly sweet, opt for a dusky shade of pink, such as Farrow & Ball's Sulking Room Pink.
5. Red
As the fifth most popular wall colour, powerful red is a head-turning shade. While it's known for jazzing up a bland space almost instantly, Lee warns that 'certain shades when subject to lighting can make people feel more aggressive and less compassionate'.
If you want to tap into red embrace the colour through accessories – try a red striped rug to bring colour to the floor, or alternatively, a red lampshade to brighten up a dull corner.
6. Yellow
Famed for brightening up any space instantly, yellow can boost your mood and promote imagination. If you're wondering how to decorate a room with yellow walls, approach them with care, as Lee adds that 'darker shades of yellow have been shown to make babies cry more often, and cause tension'.
7. Purple
Purple might have taken the seventh spot, but Lee explains that this is the best colour for any home office as it 'brings a sense of balance and enhances creativity'. He adds: 'Both sophisticated and personal, purple walls could be of benefit in any household room.'
8. Orange
Zingy orange is a powerful colour that works well in the form of accessories, paint colour and furniture. While it's full of vibrancy and personality, Lee said that, much like red, it too can promote intense emotion.
As well as colour in the home, some feature wall designs can impact our mood, too.
'Feature walls are an amplified focal point in a room which our eyes are naturally drawn to, instantly effecting our mood,' Lee explains.
Wood panelling
Inspired by nature, wood panelling can help to 'trigger positivity' and 'stimulate all our senses'.
Wall murals
Wall murals have 'the power to pull you into the scene that is pictured and can trigger the positive emotions you attach to the imagery'. If you're planning on decorating your space with a wall mural, Lee suggests making them personal to evoke calmness and motivation.
Metallic walls
Metallic walls can add depth and sophistication to your surroundings. 'Psychologically they can be grounding, especially bronzes and darker silvers as these are tones associated with strength and fortitude,' Lee adds.
Geometric patterns
'Squares make us feel stable, circles evoke harmony and triangles promote adaptability.
Pattern density is something to watch out for however, as this can increase anxiety,' advises Lee.
Stone
Often found in kitchens and bathrooms, stone is great for promoting resilience and strength, while also helping us to de-stress and disconnect.
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Just in time for spring!
By Taysha Murtaugh
The colors in your home can have a huge impact on your mood—particularly paint colors. The shade of your walls has been shown to affect emotions: There are certain shades that will bring you down, ones that will help you relax, ones that will suppress your appetite, and a myriad more to match a number of other feelings. In honor of National Color Therapy Month, we asked Sue Kim, a Valspar Color Expert, to share the top shades that promote positivity.
"Nature and memories trigger our emotion into happiness, so finding a color that reflects your moment of happiness is the best way to connect with a color," Kim tells CountryLiving.com. "I would recommend making an image collage of photos and magazine clippings on a table and then see if there is a color that takes you back to a moment of happiness.
Often we assume happy colors would be bolder hues, but for some of us, a quiet place with softer tones provides a moment of happiness."
Stay away from extreme and overly vibrant shades, as well as "muddy" paint colors with green undertones, Kim warns. Some people prefer warm paint colors, while some prefer to stick with the best neutral paint colors. Need inspiration? Here are some ideas to get you started and the best paint brands to get your project rolling.
1
Pink for Joy
Gross & Daley
Paint Color: Baby Soft by Clare Paint
A joyful shade of pink is a happy choice for any room in your house.
2
Lilac for Calm
Brian Woodcock
Paint Color: Rhapsody Lilac by Sherwin-Williams
Lilac has a calming property to it that still feels very happy.
Imagine how content you'd feel waking up in this lilac bedroom?
3
Yellow for Cheerfulness
JOHN GRUEN
Paint Color: Pablo Honey by Backdrop Paint
All shades of yellow add a spring in your step, but we can't imagine a better way to start your day than in this cheerful kitchen that has cabinets painted in a saturated yellow.
4
Green for Energy
BJORN WALLANDER/OTTO
Paint Color: Lazy Caterpillar by Behr
Energize your space with a happy shade of green like this one in a bedroom designed by Mary Douglas Drysdale.
5
Teal to Invigorate
FRANK FRANCES
Paint Color: Madison Avenue by Benjamin Moore
Sheila Bridge's office nook is painted in a cheerful shade of teal that is sure to spark creativity.
6
Light Yellow for Happiness
Courtesy of Valspar
Paint color: Daisy Spell by Valspar
There's a reason yellow is associated with cheeriness. "This yellow has a subtle, luminous quality that feels like warm sun rays and awakens all five senses," Kim says. "Yellow is a natural source of positive energy and sparks feelings of happiness."
7
Sky Blue for Renewal
Courtesy of Valspar
Paint color: Dreamy Clouds by Valspar
How would you like to curl up in this room? "This light, airy blue is instantly calming and helps to restore natural rhythms," Kim explains. "Growing evidence links sleep to productivity and overall well-being and blue provides soothing and restorative qualities that can help improve rest.
"
8
Violet Black for Mindfulness
Courtesy of Valspar
Paint color: Twilight Purple by Valspar
It may appear dark and moody, but "A hidden undertone of violet in the deep night sky draws you in and provides a sense of retreat and relaxation," Kim says. "This color also helps create a place for focus and reflection."
9
Yellow Green for Optimism
Courtesy of Valspar
Paint color: Crushed Oregano by Valspar
We feel energized just looking at this wall! "This balanced yellow green captures the essence of spring's first blooms and the excitement for the season ahead," Kim notes.
"Green also brings positive energy into a space and stimulates personal growth."
10
Silver Sage for Balance
Courtesy of Valspar
Paint color: Smoke Infusion by Valspar
"This perfect blend of sage green and silvery gray provides balance and harmony," Kim says. "It helps hone in the luxury of having less things, yet enjoying more of what really matters."
Taysha Murtaugh Lifestyle Editor Taysha Murtaugh was the Lifestyle Editor at CountryLiving.com.
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What color should the walls be for a good mood | Interior painting | Articles
Thinking about what color to paint the facade of the house, we are more often guided by personal preferences or design decisions, forgetting about the influence of the colors around us on our subconscious.
Color combinations around provoke us to certain actions, set us up in a certain way. Experts believe that following a number of rules, you can choose wallpaper or paint that will give coziness to any room and you will feel comfortable in it. Let's try to figure out what kind of energy is fraught with each color.
Red
The main thing here is not to overdo it. Red is rarely used as the main color of the walls (it is too bright and energetic, with excess it can cause a feeling of anxiety, even heart palpitations), but it is always good in the form of nuances. Pros often use red details in corridors, lobbies and reception rooms. Living rooms love its muted hues that harmonize with the wood. An interesting fact, red is contraindicated by doctors for bright red people. The erotic component of red is known, it is a sensual and passionate color, but for the bedroom it is recommended to use interior elements of red and no more, otherwise you risk not getting enough sleep in a fit of passion.
In addition, with nervous exhaustion, the red "atmosphere" will aggravate your condition.
Orange
Is the most joyful in the spectrum of colors. Where we are surrounded by shades of orange, there is a pleasant and friendly atmosphere. Color is recommended to be used in poorly lit, gloomy rooms to give them brightness and optimism. Feel free to use it in the living room or dining room of a modern type. Orange is the color of creativity, impulsiveness and perseverance. They say that those who prefer the color of orange are reliable friends, always ready to help. Maybe that's why the orange interior breathes with hospitality.
Yellow
An uplifting color that inspires joyful hopes and creates the illusion of "sunshine". Scientists have found that those who wear glasses with yellow lenses are always in a good mood. In addition, it is known that the most cloudy day looks sunny if you look at it through yellow glass, this was widely used by our ancestors in stained-glass windows.
Feel free to surround yourself with this cheerful color. In the recommendations of designers, yellow appears as the color of kitchens and bedrooms. With the help of bright and sparkling yellow, the space visually expands. Yellow readily combines with other colors, but yellow-white and yellow-green mixture looks especially impressive. There are a great many shades of yellow, from cold lemon to hot saturated. Some calm, and the second activates the nervous system, choose what you like.
Green
The rustle of leaves, the softness of young grass, spring freshness - such associations are caused by this color in our minds, it brings peace and balance to us. The rich tone of the “bottle”, the juicy color of greenery stimulates our brain, pale shades, on the contrary, have a relaxing effect. True, it is difficult to find a good combination of green with other colors, but not impossible, use sandy, dirty pink, brown with confidence. Turquoise shade of green is perfect for a children's room, malachite will look spectacular in the office, jade in the bedroom.
Bright green is considered the color of life, youth. The stability lurking in green has made it the favorite corporate color for banks. By the way, according to psychologists, dislike for green indicates dissatisfaction with their emotional state.
Blue
Cool, relaxing, discreet color. Well suited to the interior of the eastern and southern rooms, where there is a lot of light. Blue is a suitable background for all light colors, but the most winning combination is obtained with white. According to the designers, it is dangerous to get too carried away with blue, the abuse of color can result in a feeling of darkness, cause fatigue and melancholy. Light blue shade visually enlarges the space. Blue is the color of purity, order and tranquility.
White
Clean, chaste, calm, the color of peace of mind. It makes the room visually larger and brighter, it is the optimal background for bright accessories. However, when the solid “whiteness” around you puts pressure on the psyche and causes feelings of isolation and detachment, which can end in depression.
Perhaps this is due to the white hospital walls, the subconscious mind remembers the place where we felt bad. So be careful even with such a neutral color.
Now that you know the secrets of primary colors, you can choose the best background for your interior.
The influence of color on planning and communication
Understanding your mood is important not only for successful planning of activities, but also for effective communication with people.
Website editor
Tags:
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color psychology
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Researchers at the University of New South Wales have discovered that being in a bad mood improves memory. Understanding your mood is important not only for successful activity planning, but also for effective communication with people.
Choose from the offered colors the one you like best.
Decide fast! The first answer that comes to mind will be correct.
"Joyful" colors Red, orange, yellow - all shades of fire evoke positive emotions.
Red symbolizes fire, life, energy, will, struggle, passion.
If you chose red, you are full of vitality and energy, resolute, self-confident. With your energy, you inspire everyone who is nearby to work overtime, and after work go to the club. But this color is aggressive, dominant. That is why the person who chooses it runs the risk of being in constant emotional stress. In addition, he puts a lot of pressure on loved ones with his pressure. If you feel constant excitement, as if you drank a lot of coffee, we advise you to relax. This can be done simply by switching to another activity. Leave thoughts about the unfinished project in the office, and at home - watch a movie, think about the design of new curtains for the living room.
If you can’t calm down, you just need to get rid of the accumulated energy - go in for sports. Swim in the pool, go for a run. Most likely, right after that you will be a little exhausted, but you will fall asleep very quickly, and your body will get a well-deserved rest.
Orange improves mood and self-esteem. It symbolizes movement, joy, sensuality, cheerfulness, sociability.
Orange is chosen by those who have a cheerful, joyful mood. This state is the most suitable for organizing a party, a meeting with friends or a conference with partners. You will certainly turn out to be the soul of the company, because you attract others with an “orange” mood. But if you choose only this color all the time, you may lack seriousness and focus. In this case, the cheerful feeling becomes a little artificial. Do you remember people who, when under stress, cannot stop laughing, and this laughter seems nervous? This is how you look now. Perhaps this is how a defense mechanism works, which tries to protect you from some kind of experience.
We advise you to sit down, calmly think about what worries you so much. Maybe a quarrel with parents or a boyfriend who went on a long business trip. In such a situation, one should not hide from the problem, but try to solve it. Separate all the accumulated questions according to the degree of importance and pay attention only to the most important ones.
Yellow color is associated with intelligence, can positively influence cognitive activity (it is known that it improves memory), helps to make decisions, generate new ideas. Yellow is considered the “happiest” color, representing warmth and joy.
If you chose yellow, you are open to new knowledge, sociable, calm, rational and inquisitive. In this mood, you are good at solving complex problems. However, the thirst for knowledge can lead to information overload and, therefore, overwork. In such a situation, it is very important to learn to perceive everything new in a dosed way, considering each fact.
But one should not get carried away with thinking too much. For example, if you decide to start looking for a new job, this responsible business, of course, should be given special attention. However, sending resumes to 40 companies at once is overkill. Try to be simpler and easier on issues that do not require an immediate solution.
"Calm" shades Blue, green and purple colors are associated with peace and serenity.
Green color calms and relaxes, creates a sense of security. It symbolizes life, faith, harmony, naturalness.
The choice of green indicates a contradiction between inner feelings and their outer manifestations. From the outside, you look calm, unruffled. However, deep inside, a rich life boils.
Most likely, at the moment there is a reassessment of values, you analyze the events that happened to you recently, draw conclusions.
The inability to express your thoughts and feelings can lead to emotional fatigue. The best thing you can do is to release the accumulated emotions. Probably, those around you do not even know what is happening in your soul. Maybe someone close to you offended you, but you did not let him understand this. And now you are even more upset that the person did not show participation and did not ask for forgiveness. Share your experiences with a close friend, try to find words and describe what is happening inside you.
Blue color - soothes, promotes relaxation. Almost all shades of blue evoke positive emotions. symbolize purity, sincerity.
Unlike green, blue color symbolizes harmony, balance between inner experiences and their manifestation. If you choose blue, you have a calm, peaceful mood. You are relaxed and immersed in yourself, you are in harmony with the world. Perhaps even in love or feel sympathy for someone. Your mood can be called happy and romantic.
As a rule, this state is very pleasant and comfortable. True, if you have big achievements ahead of you (a responsible event at work or the need to quickly pack for a trip), you will need to cheer up. For example, draw up a clear action plan and monitor their implementation.
Violet inspires. Symbolizes wisdom, spirituality, artistry. The choice of purple indicates a rather controversial mood. You are sensitive and vulnerable, prone to dreams and fantasies. In addition, the “purple” mood sharpens your intuition, therefore, even without being able to explain something logically, you can determine the right direction for your activity on a sensual level.
Violet mood promotes creativity. However, getting carried away with the creation of a new project, you can forget about elementary things: have lunch, call your parents, go to an important meeting. We advise you to hang stickers with reminders around the apartment.
On the refrigerator - "Eat me", by the phone - "Call mom." In such a situation, an alarm clock set for a certain time will be very effective when you need to leave the house or go to bed.
Restless shades These colors lack warmth, so they are perceived as detached, solemn, disturbing.
White contains all the colors of the spectrum and is considered neutral. It is associated with purity and innocence. Symbolizes peace, serenity, detachment, loneliness.
The choice of white indicates that you are tired of some events in your life. Perhaps she quarreled with a friend, experienced severe stress at work. Now you seem to be standing at a crossroads - you have every opportunity to continue the road, and you are free to choose any direction. Perhaps you want to “turn the page” and start from scratch. Give yourself the opportunity to think things through and move on, not stopping there. Do not be afraid to take on new things, try new opportunities.
If you still don’t understand what exactly you want to achieve, “let go” of the situation, allow yourself to plunge into a state of doing nothing. It is possible that the answers will come by themselves.
Gray color is considered impartial, solemn, disturbing. He is often perceived as dull, inconspicuous and aloof. symbolizes stability, boredom, melancholy.
If you chose gray, you are in an anxious and restless mood. I want to "hide" from everyone. Perhaps this is just fatigue from past events (thesis defense, promotion at work and new responsibilities). Or maybe you are worried about an upcoming event - important negotiations with key clients, changes in your personal life. You can worry if everything goes well. To get rid of disturbing thoughts, understand the true reason that haunts. Maybe you're afraid of confusing research data during a presentation, or you're worried that you won't be able to clearly explain a complex topic of the thesis committee.
Do everything to protect yourself as much as possible: talk to your supervisor, repeat the text. In a word, turn to your loved ones for help, do not fight fears on your own. Otherwise, anxiety will interfere with a peaceful life.
Black has ambivalent properties: on the one hand, it creates a feeling of security and stability, on the other hand, it hinders decision-making. Symbolizes peace, sadness, depression, death.
The preference for black indicates a tense mood. You may be experiencing stress or depression, even loss. You feel unhappy and unlucky. You need solitude. Give yourself the opportunity to experience this state, allow yourself to relax and understand everything that is happening.
The best way is to be alone, to mourn the loss. If you have lost your job, allow yourself to come to terms with this thought. Now is the time to pamper yourself, do what you like.
