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21 Jan 21

What is Colour psychology for interiors?

Colour causes emotion. It’s energy light waves that hit our retina, send signals to the brain and boom. We feel it. But…and here’s the exciting part, we don’t all feel it in the same way. So, it follows that understanding your own unique relationship to colour is fundamental in creating a home that supports you emotionally which is why I enjoy teaching this subject the most. Angela Wright, the psychologist who researched how colour affects our emotions and behaviour uncovered that different personality types have different colour palettes that resonate with them in a positive way. This has been game-changing for me as a professional designer- helping me read my clients much more quickly and create a home for them that feels, well truly perfect for them. And it has literally blown the minds of hundreds of students I’ve taught this technology to.

It’s so easy to quickly feel overwhelmed with all the mouth-watering images on Pinterest, magazines and Instagram. But which look is right for you? How to you piece together a colour scheme that is harmonious and creates flow and cohesion throughout the house while also making each room feel different.

The answers to these common questions are solved with colour psychology. I love to feel inspired by the trends, but you mustn’t feel beholden to them. Talking to friends and families about your schemes can be a great sounding board, but ultimately the decision has to be made by you because here’s the thing. Only YOU know how to design a home that feels right for you.

Colour psychology offers up an easy to follow framework that first of all helps you understand more about who you are and your unique preferences and then how to harmonise a palette that will create successful schemes. With clarity and complete confidence. My wish is of course that it helps you make bolder design decisions, and ones that you love to live with for years to come!

So how does it all work? Ultimately the Wright theory establishes four different personality types. These are labelled Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter for illustrative purposes that I will go into later. (This is not ‘Colour me Beautiful’ that some of you may remember from the ’90s, where bits of fabric were matched to your skin tone!) Colour Psychology for interiors, it isn’t just about what personality you are but the personality of the room too. The hues, patterns, textures and indeed decorative style of the room can really change the mood and behaviour in a space. Read on to find out which decorating style and colour palette resonates with you.

 

SPRING PERSONALITY

Spring is all about new life and that burst of energy as the sun comes to warm up the earth after a cold winter. Nature is busy this time of year for nature and for gardeners. So naturally, the Spring personality is full of optimism, youthful energy and fresh creativity. Spring people are typically bubbly, social and love outdoor pursuits. It follows that their company is infectious, and their homes fulfil that purpose as places to entertain family and friends, preferably with doors thrown open so everyone can spill outside. The connection to nature and the outdoors is strong, so sunlit rooms with large windows, botanical motifs and plenty of plants is one of the ways a Spring personality will keep this connection.

A Spring interior feels fresh, modern and full of light. Colours are soft, joyful and uplifting to maximise the sense of space and positivity. Image by California Shutters.

The decorative style that suits a Spring personality is one that avoids heaviness or darkness. Colours are light, bright and buoyant and decorative styles help to maximise this feeling of lightness. Think twinkly chandeliers, glass furniture, mirrors. But like the Spring season there is a gentle softness, so think less bling and more twinkle! Spring people love a feeling of spaciousness and so the open-plan space where everyone can be together would be an ideal way for them to live. They are attracted to newness and the excitement of new trends, so interiors will look fashionable. And for rooms that you want to feel upbeat, joyful and energising you can borrow elements from the Spring palette.

 

SUMMER PERSONALITY

If summer conjures up images of inflatable flamingos’, garish sombrero’s and turquoise seas in the Caribbean- banish those thoughts for a moment. Instead, picture a quintessential European summer that’s more faded and subdued and dare I say it elegant. The perky greens and daffodil yellows of spring fade to a more subtle palette of sun-bleached hayfields, powdery hydrangeas and dripping wisteria. The warm sun signifies a time to relax, bathe and take a break.

With this seasonal landscape in mind, the summer personality is graceful and elegant and more reserved in character. Summer personalities are cool, calm and collected, composed and organised. In terms of interiors, they are not so interested in keeping up with the pace of ever-changing trends and would much rather stick to their own sense of timeless style, not particularly attached to the past or the future.

A summer room is all about understated elegance. A cool and muted colour palette and painterly patterns create a graceful and calming mood. Image by Romo.

Just as the summer landscape is faded and sun-bleached, this personality is drawn towards soft, cool, muted and chalky colours. Where there is a lack of colour contrast, quality and tactility become more important to invest in the real thing; wool, cashmere, linen and the finest velvets. Summer people are drawn to flowing fabrics like the drape of heavy French linen or faded painterly floral. Rooms are impeccably well-curated, planned and organised. Rooms where you want to create an air of calm and understated elegance borrow from the Summer palette.

 

AUTUMN

A change in pace again Autumn has all the fiery energy of bonfire night. Colours intensify as leaves turn burning russet red, rich golds. The Autumn palette is warm and intense. And like Spring the energy is very forward moving with plenty of work to be done in the garden and for the harvest. This robust and abundant energy, in preparation for the coming winter, is at the heart of the Autumn personality.

Autumn personalities are externally motivated and busy people. They are typically fiery, full of passion, integrity and drive and have a deep connection to the natural world in all its glory and are the most likely to be concerned with its preservation.

Rustic textures, organic materials and a warm, cosy and welcoming vibe sum up the Autumn vibe. Image by Carpetright.

This is reflected in their homes with the choice of materials; wood, exposed stone and brick, cotton, jute and pottery and anything organic and sustainable. They love to celebrate craftsmanship so objects with often have the thumbprint of the handmade on them. Rarely inspired by modern trends, they look to the past for inspiration, and feel most at home in a period property and will fill it with vintage and up-cycled items. The colour palette is inherently warm and intense from the colours of the autumn landscape through to rich jewel tones. Autumn interiors feel warm cosy and grounding so if you want to create a room with this feel, borrow from the Autumn palette.

 

WINTER

In my view Winter, as a season, is massively underestimated. When you embrace it, you can appreciate the striking stillness. While nature hibernates, and everything goes underground we are left with an arresting landscape. The bare branches appear architectural against the bright winter sun making a strong visual statement in its starkness.

Similarly, the Winter personality is non-comprising and no-nonsense. They tend to speak their mind and don’t suffer fools. They are decisive with sharp wit and clarity.

Less is more in a winter scheme and the eye is taken to making a statement and unabashed luxury. Image by Habitat.

A winter room scheme will be considered and efficient with no unnecessary embellishments. It’s more about creating one powerful statement and if it comes with a big price tag, that’s a plus as Winter personalities are not afraid to show off and celebrate their success. It’s less about following the trends and more about setting them.

In terms of colour again they favour the extremes, stark contrasted with dark.  They are the only season that could live with pure bright white or pure jet black. Any accent colour added to this neutral backdrop would be sharp, saturated and cool in tone for max visual impact.

Their love of high-end luxury will be reflected in the materials they choose, shiny metallic’s, leather and marble. I can’t help thinking that Winter people must have been in their hay-day in the 1980s with all the chrome, black leather and geometric prints that were popular of that time. A room that wants to appear impressive and make a striking statement can borrow from the winter palette.

I hope this has given you some insight. We rarely fall into one season neatly so you may find that a couple of these seasonal personalities resonate with you. You may now begin to realise why some rooms in your home have never felt quite ‘right’ and why some spaces make you feel the best version of yourself.

My online course ‘Colour Psychology for interiors’ has been devised to take you through an easy to follow process to firstly discover more about yourself, but mostly on how to create rooms that feel as good as they look. First and foremost, I’m an interior designer, not a psychologist, but this technology has been a game-changer in helping me find my creative flow. Which ultimately takes out the wasted time procrastinating so whole decoration process more creative, fun and empowering. You can learn more about my course here.

 

  • Interior Design
  • Interiors
Easy decorating wins and e-design, Podcast show notes, S10 Ep2 5 ways to get inspired for your interior schemes

comments

Rachel Edmonds on 02.02.21

I absolutely loved reading this, I am most definitely a winter although conversely having grown up in the 80’s I really don’t like chrome and black leather. Much to the disgust of my husband who of course bought black leather sofas!

Reply
Baja London on 13.02.21

What a great blog post! It’s so true, everyone relates to colours so differently. It’s so easy to overlook this when your attention is drawn to the latest trend

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Just jumping on here to high five all the parents Just jumping on here to high five all the parents who saw their kids off to school this morning after two long months of home schooling. While some are bouncing out the door my Arthur was full of anxiety this morning after so long at home, going back to school feels overwhelming. However I know that once he is reunited with his friends he’ll be back in the swing by the end of the week helped along by his amazing teachers who have just been incredible throughout this whole ordeal. 🙌  And I’m slightly giddy at the thought of reclaiming my office and being able to actually focus on work. Gosh it’s been hard hasn’t it but things are looking up! Have a gorgeously productive Monday folks! 

📷 @aluncallenderphoto 

#backtoschool #homeoffice #workingfromhome
It was an absolute JOY to pop up on @interiordesig It was an absolute JOY to pop up on @interiordesignmasters_tv last night and I feel super lucky to have been part of the show and to meet the talented line up of designers that @michelleogundehin had lined up! Michelle is a rare gem in the design world. She’s 100% authentically committed to championing the power  of design to exalt our experience. Which has nothing to do with ego and everything to do with creating extraordinary and thought out spaces that make us FEEL GOOD. Nothing does this better than a pink polka dot beach hut in my view! 
It’s this little bit of magic that’s hard to translate on mediums like Instagram and TV. You have to take our word for it! 
And while I’m  here, so much love for my Mac, the DM’s have been insane! I bought it last year from my fave little boutique @sirene.boutique and the label is @muntheofficial . Glad it brightened up your screens! 🥰 

#interiordesign #interiordesignmasters #interiordesignmasters_tv
Interiors Design masters is on the telly tonight! Interiors Design masters is on the telly tonight! BBC 2. And I’m sidling up with the fabulous @michelleogundehin and hilarious @chattyman on a joint mission to bring you the best in interior design talent. The competition hots up at this half way point as the designers are given beach huts in tonight’s challenge. The perfect brief that demands full throttle on the creativity while throwing every practical problem at them too. A tiny multifunctional space, sea, sand, sunshine and rain storms. And two judges who want to feel transported to sunnier climes. What could possibly go wrong! If I wasn’t blown away by the high winds I was whipped away by the incredible talent of @moneypennyinteriors @interiorcurve @charlottebeevor @lynseyforddesign @micaelasharpdesign . Enjoy! It’s a real beauty of a show, see you tonight at 8! @interiordesignmasters_tv 

#interiordesignmasters #
DAY 20 of #easywininteriors and I’m bringing the DAY 20 of #easywininteriors and I’m bringing the outside in! 20 days ago I was feeling heavy with lock down fatigue and endless grey skies, rain and endless mud. But as we reach the end of February the sun is coming out  and we’ve just been treated to the most beautiful blue skies and birdsong this weekend! It feels amazing that spring is around the corner, a time of rebirth, new life, hope and optimism. While this challenging period has highlighted to us the importance of home and our interiors have never mattered more, our outside spaces have also become fundamental to our wellbeing. I feel it’s really important to incorporate the great outdoors indoors. You can do this with a collection of houseplants and fresh flowers but also in the way your decorate. It’s no coincidence that we are drawn to floral and botanical motifs in our wallpapers, fabrics and artworks. They make us feel connected to nature and that makes us feel good. Nothing feels better than natural materials and indeed it’s been scientifically proven that when we touch real wood, it actively lowers our blood pressure. So if you don’t already, celebrate all of nature’s gifts and incorporate them in your schemes somehow.
So here we are, my 20 day count down to bring you to the doorstep of March has come to an end. I’ve loved seeing your #easywininteriors and getting a glimpse on how important our homes are to us and how they have the power to give us a little boost no matter how small. The wonderful  @kinteriorsuk has taken on the hashtag and will be posting daily for the next 10 days in March and so if you want to keep the easy win inspo  flowing, give her a follow, she has lots of ideas lined up for us all to get involved with. Thanks so much for following ime on this journey and hurrah for Spring! 

In the words of George Michael 
“I think I’m done with the sofa
I think I’m done with the hall
I think I’m done with the kitchen table baby
Let’s go outside!”🌷🌈😍 

#thegreatoutdoors #thegreatindoors #outsidein #happyinside #colourlover #banthebeige
DAY 19 of #easywininteriors and we are almost acro DAY 19 of #easywininteriors and we are almost across the finish line! Today my easy win to brighten up your home is artwork. I’m obsessed. I can remember the first piece of ‘art’ (as in not a framed poster) was back in 2000 at Battersea affordable arts fair and I bought a limited edition litho print of a blossom tree  and it felt so grown up! I still have it now, up in my hallway and it’s been in five different homes since I bought it. Collecting art, (as well as posters in frames) really makes a house a home for me and I love how certain pieces really make me remember particular times in my life . This is my latest piece, a portrait of my dog Lucy. I’ve discovered so many amazing artists here on Instagram but when I fell upon @georgiafiennesstudio I knew I had to have a piece of her work in my home. It’s just heavenly! I’ve never commissioned a piece before so it feels even more grown up but it’s just perfect because I love chintz and I love my dog and she bought both together. I’ve just got to wait to take it to the framers and then I can hang it in pride of place. I might have a switch about too and give the walls a new look while I’m at it. 🤩 

#easywininteriors #minibullie #minibullterrier #ihavethisthingwithchintz #ihavethisthingwithflowers #colourlover #banthebeige #artathome #portrait #countryinteriors
DAY 18 of #easywininteriors and I’m getting the DAY 18 of #easywininteriors and I’m getting the paintbrush out! Giving old and unappreciated brown furniture of coat of colour is not just easy but quick too and you get ooodles of satisfaction giving something a new lease of life. Since the sun is starting to poke it’s head out it’s the perfect opportunity to fling open the windows, roll out the dust sheet, and calm your senses with the therapeutic strokes of a paint brush. I transformed these battered old Ercol chairs that I found at a car boot sale with an undercoat of Zinsser and a top coat of eggshell so they really can withstand the knocks. ( here’s a tip, use a sash  brush for spindly furniture) I love how the pink legs pick up on the pink in the wallpaper. I’ve got a couple of pots of chalk paint waiting in the wings. This just might be the weekend to tackle the bedside tables at last! Have a wonderful weekend  and I hope the sun shines on you wherever you are! 

CREDITS Reclaimed terracotta tiles @ca_pietra_  Borastapeter Rubarber wallpaper @wallpaperdirect Clock @newgateclocks Doors painted in Rose Ash Light @sanderson1860 Everything else is vintage 

#easywininteriors #kitchen #countrykitchen #upcycle #upcycledfurniture #countryliving #countrylivingmodernrustic #countrykitchen #greenkitchen #greenandpink #interiorinspo #interiordesign
DAY 17 of #easywininteriors is all about making do DAY 17 of #easywininteriors is all about making do with what you’ve got and making it work. For most of us, decorating our home and choosing all the things we want to go with it is a long if not a life time journey and there are plenty of compromises along the way. One of the ways I make do with things I’m less happy about is with distraction. You can use colour to draw the eye and highlight the bits you do like and similarly blend away the areas that need to fade into the back ground. For me joinery, radiators and my unattractive windows all get painted in the same colour so they fall to the background and then the cushions and artwork can come to the fore and catch your eye. I painted these lovely old solid wood doors bright yellow on a whim with some left over paint. It was a quick and easy way to inject a burst of  colour joy. So don’t discount doors and architraves as a fun way to play with colour, but only if you have nice ones. 
On the PODCAST today @mad_about_the_house and I discuss more ways you can make do. I interview leading interior designer and queen of colour and pattern @nicolahardingandco who has amazing insights on how to go about planning your schemes, conjure mouthwatering colour palettes and work with what you’ve got. And our style surgery is from Callum who finds himself stuck with a shiny blue green sofa which he doesn’t love and doesn’t know what to put with. Obviously cover it with cushions and distract the eye with A bright yellow door Callum! 

If you have a question for our style surgery do please send it in as we are lining them up for the next series and we’d love to hear from you! Drop us an email to thegreatindoorspod@gmail.com.You can here all our ramblings and insights on today’s show The Great Indoors and thankyou to @katetaylorldn for producing the show. 

#thegreatindoors #bluesofa #yellowdoor #banthebeige #interiorspodcast #podcast #interiordesign #interiorinspo
DAY 16 of #easywininteriors and I’m extolling th DAY 16 of #easywininteriors and I’m extolling the benefits of an occasional chair. I’ve always loved occasional chairs primarily for their decorative function. I’m a patterned fabric addict and so an occasional chair I’d another opportunity to add more pattern, more colour and another cushion to boot! But during these extended periods of lock down and staying at home I’ve appreciated the quiet little corners they offer. I’m lucky enough to find a space for one here on my landing but they can also find a home in a bedroom, a home office, under the stairs or indeed #lifegoals in the bathroom. So rather than playing second fiddle to THE SOFA put your occasional chair in pride of place and grab yourself 5 minutes solitude! Most of mine are junk shop funds bought back to live with my hoarded stash of remnant fabrics. So it’s time to raid grannies attic and  create a seat that makes you smile . 🥰  use the hashtags #easywininteriors to share your favourite corners of escape.

#easywininteriors #vintagearmchair #armchair #occassionalchair #colourlover #banthebiege
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