Transform Your Space with Simply Colour by Shaves

Written by Lisa Taylor, NCS Colour Expert

When it comes to home design, colour isn’t just a decorative choice—it’s a powerful tool that can influence mood, shape perception, and even impact how we experience our space. Whether you’re looking to create a calming sanctuary or a vibrant social hub, understanding the psychology of colour and how to apply it can make a world of difference in your home. Here’s a guide to harnessing the science of colour to transform your space. Remember colour is created in the psyche and therefore colour is psychology!

Transform Your Space with Simply Colour by Shaves blog image

1. Understanding Colour Psychology

Before you dive into the paint swatches and fabric samples, it’s essential to understand the psychological effects of different colours. Here’s a quick rundown:

  • Blue: Known for its calming and soothing properties, blue is ideal for bedrooms and bathrooms. It can help reduce stress and create a peaceful environment.
  • Green: Associated with balance and harmony, green is versatile and works well in living rooms, kitchens, and offices. It also adds a touch of nature to your space. Try Sage Green and Light Green in your office to increase your focus – advantage is its high lightness values which means you can save on lighting.
  • Yellow: Bright and cheerful, yellow can energize a room and stimulate creativity. It’s perfect for kitchens, dining areas, and playrooms but can be overwhelming in large doses. Light Yellow, Blush Yellow, Blush Green, all have high amounts of yellow without the dominant chromatic hue overpowering your room.
  • Red: Bold and passionate, red can stimulate conversation and appetite, making it a great choice for dining rooms and social spaces. However, too much red can be intense, so use it sparingly.
  • Neutral Colours: Whites, greys, and beiges or even the newish greige offer a versatile backdrop that can be complemented with accent colours. They work well in any room and allow for easy changes in decor. Here Simply Colour has loads to offer in well curated muted hues.
A fan of swatch colours

2. Choosing the Right Colours for Each Room

Each room in your home serves a different purpose, and the colour scheme can enhance its function:

  • Living Room: This is a social space, so you might want to use colours that promote conversation and relaxation. Consider warm neutrals like Warm Grey, Light Brown, Dark Brown or soft shades of blue  and green.
  • Bedroom: For a restful retreat, opt for calming colours like soft blues, greens, or lavender. These hues can promote better sleep and relaxation. Research has shown blues to cool the body down and that’s exactly what we need to fall asleep faster.
  • Kitchen: Bright and energetic colours like yellow or light green can make the kitchen a lively space for cooking and dining. Alternatively, crisp whites and greys can keep it feeling fresh and clean. A colour which is currently popular is blue in a chromatic hue which can be a strong statement in a kitchen – Bold Blue for your cabinets and the remainder in Pale Grey
  • Bathroom: Create a spa-like atmosphere with tranquil colours such as light blues or greens. These colours can make the space feel larger and more serene.
  • Home Office: Choose colours that boost productivity and focus. Cool blues and greens are ideal for this space, promoting concentration and creativity. You may recall the old ink blotter? This colour is a blue green which is said to calm the mind down and focus the mind on the task at hand. It is used on drawing boards for this reason and in factory machinery to prevent accidents. Mint Green, Sage Green, Light Green all fall within this specification.
Paint swatch fan and other interior design samples

3. Accent Walls and Colour Blocking

If you’re not ready for a full-colour overhaul, consider adding accents:

  • Accent Walls: Painting one wall in a bold colour can add depth and interest without overwhelming the space. Choose a wall that naturally draws the eye, like the one behind the bed or a focal point in the living room.
  • Colour Blocking: This technique involves painting sections of a room in different colours. It’s a playful way to add visual interest and can work well in modern spaces. Just be sure to use colours that complement each other to avoid a chaotic look. Try Rich Orange, Light Brown, Dark Brown, Warm White and Warm Grey which are all in the same hue.
A sage green entrance hall with a green table, tulips and other decor

4. Testing Colours Before Committing

Before you fully commit to a colour, it’s crucial to test it in your space but painting those little squares of paint on your wall is not a good idea. Means you have to paint out all of that colour once you have chosen the shade you want. You will want to move the colour round the room to o see the shade at different times of the day to test how natural light affects the colour. Living with samples for a few days can also help you gauge how the colour makes you feel in the context of your everyday life. Here Shaves have a unique advantage, Peel & Stick 20 cm x 22cm which is large enough to judge the colour and can be moved to other walls. And once you finished think how much fun the kids will have cutting out the colours for art projects!

Simply Colour Neutrals swatches

5. Staying on Trend vs. Timeless Choices

While it’s fun to experiment with current colour trends, don’t feel pressured to follow them slavishly. Timeless colours and combinations can provide a more enduring aesthetic. However, incorporating trendy colours through smaller elements, like pillows or vases, allows you to refresh your space without a complete overhaul.


Conclusion

Colour is more than just a visual element in your home—it’s a way to express your personality, influence your mood, and create a space that feels uniquely yours. By understanding the impact of different colours and how to use them effectively, you can transform your living environment into a space that reflects your style and meets your needs. So go ahead, embrace the palette, and watch your home come to life with the power of Simply Colour by Shaves.