The Colour Therapy Professionals & Colour information resource

Colour In The Home

There are many variations of the basic colours. The paler versions, which are sometimes more appropriate for covering the walls within our homes, give us the same qualities as the bold colour but in a gentler way.

When decorating an area - the complementary colours, and their variations, should be remembered and combined with our main choice of colour by way of soft furnishings perhaps, pictures etc.

It is also helpful to take in to account the aspect of a room. For example, should you require a calming atmosphere in a north facing room, which may well be one of the colder rooms in your house, remember to use some warm colours (i.e. variations of the warm colours of yellow, orange and red) to avoid the room feeling colder.

Using Colours in the home

When using colour in the home environment, we all have our own personal choice.

Particular colour choice though can help towards providing a specific 'feeling' for a space.

Below we have put together some suggested uses of colour in the home, workplace and other various environments, and the effects these colours can produce.

Violet	Effects of Violet as a colour Calming for body and mind. Good for meditation and prayer. Enhances purpose and dignity. Heightens our awareness and helps us to give of our very best. Purifying.	Suggested Areas of Use for the colour Violet Places of worship Entry areas to clinics and hospitals Festival areas Pale violet in bedrooms.
Indigo	Effects Sedative Helps to open up our intuition The colour of divine knowledge and the higher mind.	Suggested Areas of Use Not suitable for areas for entertainment but for more 'quiet' places Bedrooms Treatment rooms Some people find indigo is helpful for studying so this colour could be used as part of the decor of a library or study.
Blue	Effects Calming, relaxing and healing Not as sedating as indigo. Also the colour of communication.	Suggested Areas of Use Any rooms except those used for physical activity or play.
Green	Effects Balancing, harmonising and encourages tolerance and understanding.	Suggested Areas of Use Depending upon the shade, can be used for most areas Use with other colours/colour as well to avoid the balance and harmony becoming more like total inactivity and indecision.
Yellow	Effects Stimulates mental activity Promotes feeling of confidence Helpful for study as it helps us to stay alert.	Suggested Areas of Use Activity rooms Entrance halls Not for bedrooms as yellow can interfere with sleep since it tends to keep our minds "switched on" Not ideal for areas of possible stress.
Orange	Effects Warming and energizing Can stimulate creativity Orange is the colour of fun and sociability.	Suggested Areas of Use Any activity area and creative areas Not ideal for bedrooms or areas of possible stress.
Red	Effects Energizing, exciting the emotions Stimulates appetite.	Suggested Areas of Use Any activity area but red needs careful choice of tone and depth and the space in which it is to be used as it can make a space look smaller and can be claustrophobic or oppressive. However, used well, red and its variations can make a space feel warm and cosy. Often used in restaurants.
Magenta	Effects Magenta is the eighth colour in the colour spectrum and is a combination of red and violet, thus it combines our earthly self and spiritual self, thus balancing spirit and matter. It is uplifting and helps us to gain a feeling of completeness and fulfillment.	Suggested Areas of Use Lecture spaces Chapels halls etc Not ideal for play rooms or activity rooms
Turquoise	Effects Cool and calming and good for the nervous system and immune system.	Suggested Areas of Use Any room except it is not ideal for activity areas.
Pink	Effects This colour soothes and nurtures It helps to dissolve anger and encourages unconditional love.	Suggested Areas of Use Ideal for a baby's or child's bedroom.
Black	Effects Black used with another colour enhances the energy of that second colour Black gives us the space for reflection and inner searching.	Suggested Areas of Use Not ideal as a single colour, but when used with care,can enhance and complement other colours in almost any situation.
White	Effects White contains all the colours. It emphasizes purity and illuminates our thoughts, giving us clarity.	Suggested Areas of Use Any room, but it can be a little intimidating to some. Needs to be broken up with another colour or with plants/ornaments/pictures etc.