Keep in mind the the amount of natural light a room receives will dramatically affect the density of a colour. Rooms facing south or rooms that receive little light will appear lighter with lighter shades of colour (pastels) or whites or neutrals. Rooms facing norththat receive a lot of light (and feel very warm) will suit the cooler palette of colours, such as blue, green or purple. Cool tones are often used to paint the walls of a small room to make the room appear larger.

Andrea Lucena-Orr, colour planning expert with Dulux Australia, shares her advice on how colour and mood interact.

Yellows… can create a happy, sunny feel and will make the room appear brighter.  Yellow radiates warmth and is always described as the colour of summer. 

Blues… can give a tranquil, serene feeling and give the room the illusion of spaciousness. Blues are calming and remind us of our environment, sky or sea.

Reds… can create a warm, passionate feeling with a hint of excitement and lots of heat. Red is known to increase blood pressure and can aid digestion and increase strength and power. You certainly would not want to place a powerful bright red in a bedroom as it would certainly not encourage sleep or relaxation. However, in a dining room or living room it can have a dramatic look.

Apricots… friendly, secure and reassuring colours that help create a cosy, intimate atmosphere.

Greens… are relaxing and restful to the eye and create a cool, fresh and calm atmosphere. Soft and vibrant greens reflect the refreshing balance of nature. Greens come in many shades and can be lime, mint, citrus, or teal. Most greens would be suitable for any room of the home as they are very easy to live with. Just be careful of using the darker greens in small, darker spaces.

Purples, pinks and mauves… pinks and mauves are warm, feminine colours that can make a room feel soft, romantic and cosy. Decorating with purple can create an illusion of grandeur. Purples have historically been linked to royalty and purples have kept their sense of greatness. There are many shades to choose from, depending on the function of the room. Lavender is calming in a nursery and you could easily add a rich eggplant colour for a feature wall in your living area.

Blue green… is a vibrant colour and can appear either more green or more blue, the overall impression is one of calm.

Whites and neutrals… are ideal for creating a neutral backdrop that are classical and suit any style of room. Warm and friendly, they can successfully combine with vibrant feature colours or accents.  

marina.williams@fairfaxmedia.com.au