Interior design is obviously a very personal subject, depending on so much, including who’s living in the home, how you use your home and your own personal style, but, whether you’re looking for flats to rent in Manchester city centre or a house to buy in the suburbs of London, there will always be an element of home design.
When looking at how to design the home, most people will consider how they want the room in question to look, the colour scheme they plan to use and even how they want the room to function, however, perhaps the bigger question that fewer people think about is the why?
Why should you make certain choices about the look and feel of your room? This question will help you come to the right decisions about how to make your home work for you and give you what you need. If, for example, there are a few colour palettes you’re between, the deciding factor may be based on how those colours will make you feel.
Colour is how we experience our surroundings and it can have a huge impact on our mood and emotions, so it’s important to determine what feel you want to create in your home when deciding on the colour of each space or room.
Today, most interior designers and researchers agree with the following guidelines of colour theory relating to mood:
- White – this is great for defining a space but should be used in conjunction with other colours, otherwise it can look quite sterile. When used well, it can give a very clean and pure look
- Black – will give a statement of power – use it to accentuate items you want to draw the eye to
- Gray – to promote serenity and relaxation – great for bathrooms or home offices
- Red – associated with passion and power – ideal for warming up rooms and making them feel intimate
- Orange – a motivational colour to boost energy and innovation. Worth bearing in mind to only use this colour as an accent or it can be a little overwhelming
- Yellow – Indicative of creativity and happiness. This works well with a calming neutral colour and in a room with a lot of natural light to add to the peaceful environment
- Green – the ideal choice for an entrance hall, to allow for an easier transition from outdoor to indoor. It is also known for its soothing qualities
- Brown – similarly to green, brown has quite a relaxing effect in a room due to its connections to nature
- Blue – the perfect choice for bathrooms and kitchens as high traffic areas, blue exudes freshness and calm
- Purple – with connotations of luxury and royalty, purple is perfect for more formal spaces, such as master bedrooms or living rooms as it conjures up an air of sophistication.
It’s always a good idea to choose three colours when designing your interior, a neutral for walls and flooring, a calmer colour for couches and other large furniture items and lastly, choose a brighter or more dramatic colour that can be used to add a pop of colour into your décor.
Using colour to spice up the look and feel of your home will mean that you can refresh your spaces, thereby creating fresh and updated looks for you and your loved ones to live in. This does not only provide you with the ideal opportunity to show all who visit your personality, it will also mean that you ensure your home is always in line with your mood, making you more comfortable in your own home.
