Colour

“A timeless and enduring blue hue, PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue is elegant in its simplicity. Suggestive of the sky at dusk, the reassuring qualities of the thought-provoking PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue highlight our desire for a dependable and stable foundation on which to build as we cross the threshold into a new era.”

This is Pantone’s 2020 colour of the year. It has been chosen through “thoughtful consideration and trend analysis” by experts that have drawn influences across many fields – entertainment, travel, art, fashion, design, technology, materials, lifestyle, to name but a few. It is a colour that will go on to guide a multitude of decisions in a number of industries, including interior decoration.

And why is colour so important in interior decoration? According to Dr Zena O’Connor, colour effects us in many ways. At the individual level, effects vary based on personal factors such as age and gender. At this level, colours also effect us psychologically. At the cultural level, effects are related to colour symbolism. On top of this, there are contextual and temporal factors at play.

We also respond to colour in different ways – both positively and negatively. We have cognitive responses, where we judge, assess and evaluate; we have affective responses, which impact our emotions, attention and energy; and we have behavioural responses whereby we act, move and find our way (Dr Zena O’Connor).

All of the above means that our choice of colour will heavily impact a room, setting the overall tone. We choose between cool vs. warm, order vs. disorder, formality vs. informality – colour is used as a tool to control our responses.

Phew! Because of its importance, it’s worth stripping it back to the beginning and discussing the humble colour wheel…

Colour Wheel

The colour wheel is made up of primary, secondary and tertiary colours. Primary colours are red, blue and yellow. Secondary colours, made by mixing the primary colours together, are orange, purple and green. Tertiary colours are the six shades made by mixing the primary and secondary colours. You might remember all this from primary school…

Versions of these colours can be made by adding a neutral colour into the mix. You can create a tint (lightening by adding white), a shade (darkening by adding black) and a tone (darkening just slightly by adding grey). There are so many tints, shades and tones - just think of the shelves at Homebase!

What’s more, we often talk of colours according to their temperature. Reds, oranges and yellows are warm, while blues, purples and greens are cool. Colour temperature should be considered in relation to the size of the room - for example, cool hues in a large room may make it feel cold and plain.

The colour wheel can be used to create different schemes, briefly described below:

• Complementary - two colours opposite each other in the wheel. One is dominant, while the other is the accent. This results in high contrast

• Split complementary - one base shade, plus the two colours either side of the colour directly opposite the base shade. This is more balancing

• Analogous - three colours in a row. Proportion is key: Freshome suggest using the 60-30-10 rule with the dominant, support and accent colour

• Triadic - three colours with equal space between them

• Tetradic - two pairs of complimentary colours. Balance created by choosing two warm and two cold colours

• Square - four shades evenly spaced throughout the wheel

There are so many resources to read up about the colour wheel. While it is a bit dry, it is definitely useful to understand what underpins decisions for a colour scheme - decisions that are often made on a subconscious level. Try Homedit, Real Homes, Ace Interior Design and DIY Doctor for additional info.

Colour Descriptions

Moving away from the colour wheel, I find the meanings and symbolisms associated with colours much more interesting…

Red/ Pink

Passion, anger, warning, fortune, celebration, excitement

Red is dramatic. There are no two ways about it. It creates a strong first impression and links to ideas of ambition, action and power. Such characteristics make it perfect for creative spaces or home offices (LuxDeco). What’s more, it stimulates conversation, meaning it is common in dining rooms. Red is also the colour of passion; despite this, however, experts suggest leaving it out of the bedroom. Why? Because it raises energy levels and makes us behaviour more forcefully. Whilst this may be conducive to some bedroom activities, it is certainly not the case for sleep! Instead, use red for accent colours or opt for its more delicate, feminine little sister: pink. Pink has long been associated with love and romance. More recently, the colour has been hijacked by the Millennial generation, becoming a firm favourite in modern interiors.

Source of inspiration: Pinterest

Orange

Happiness, energy, feel-good, laughter, appetite, intelligence

Orange is dated? According to Mad About the House, widespread use of orange links back to the 1970s, when lightbulbs were tungsten and gave off a warm glow. Under this ‘incandescent’ light, reds, browns and oranges made homes feel cosy and warm. The more recent move to the cool blue tones of LED lights and low energy bulbs resulted in a clash with such earthy tones - this goes some way in explaining why we tend to love greys and blues nowadays. Isn’t that interesting! Orange is seen to be frivolous, so should not be used too much in areas where you are looking to impress. Moreover, the colour links to value brands, so keep this in mind if you are looking for a premium feel. That said, orange also links to Hinduism and is seen as sacred - quite the opposite to budget airlines! Perhaps opt for a burnt orange or light peach to bring that all important warmth into the home.

Brown

Nature, structure, support, relaxation, comfort

Brown is structural and supportive (LuxDeco). Perhaps this is because it is the colour of wood and stone: strong, rigid materials in our natural environment, often used to create structures. Indeed, brown lends itself particularly well to rugged, masculine environments. Due to its durability, the colour is perfect for living spaces, as well as kitchens.

Yellow

Joy, optimism, hope, liberalism, courage, knowledge

Yellow is polarising. While a lemon yellow is sharp and harsh, a more buttery hue is soft and smooth (ideal for hallways, entrance spaces and kitchens, if you want to create a sunny, uplifting space). What’s more mustard is sophisticated and luxurious.

Green

Nature, calm, serenity, restoration, harmony, jealousy, illness, money, growth

Green links to nature, and with that, restoration. It goes without saying that the easiest way to use green is to bring nature inside - using house plants! However, it is key to keep them healthy and ensure their vibrant green doesn’t dull. Due to its link with money and growth, green is ideal for use in a home office. Moreover, its restful qualities make it perfect for a bedroom too. But, as Mad About the House flags, green “changes a lot under artificial light” and checking before you paint is essential, otherwise you risk “something that looks fresh and energising in the day, then blue and cold at night”. Green colour pairings are also important here - its best to research fully and to reach out to experts for advice.

Blue

Strength, confidence, loyalty, trust, calmness, tranquility

Blue is multifaceted. The many characteristics of blue and its easy use throughout the home make it a favourite, particularly in the UK. As LuxDeco notes, deep blue hues like navy and royal blue, evoke feeling of confidence. They also portray admirable qualities such as loyalty and trust - supporting Pantone’s Pantone’s justification for their 2020 colour of the year. Lighter hues create a sense of calm, making them perfect for bedrooms and bathrooms. Indeed, the nautical theme is a classic, pairing watery blue with sandy neutrals. In addition, blue is the colour of communication - just think of the big social media channels and their logos. The social colour is therefore also great for the kitchen. Mad About the House suggests that use in this room dates back to the Victorian times, when people painted their kitchens blue to keep the flies away. While I’m not sure about the science behind this, it’s definitely a fun fact…

Source of inspiration: Pinterest

Indigo

Magic, intuition, perception, integrity, fanaticism

What is indigo?! Perhaps the fact that its definition is so elusive adds to its etherial characteristic. After some research online, its clear that indigo is a dark purplish blue, somewhere between actual blue and violet. The origins of the world are greek: “indikos” relates to the dark blue dye that is obtained from the indigo plant. Indigo encourages internal reflection, as opposed to external communication, so probably shouldn’t be used in social spaces. The colour is impactful but can be overwhelming - opt for indigo coloured accessories to give a sense of luxury and opulence.

Violet

Royalty, nobility, status, wealth, religion, spirituality, creativity, depth

Again, violet gives a sense of luxury. It pairs well with other ‘jewell’ tones to give that regal feel. Lighter violet hues, such as lavender, are more feminine, whilst darker hues, like aubergine, are stronger and more masculine.

Black

Elegance, power, drama, mystery, mourning

Black is the absorption of all colour. Having long been a classic in fashion - a safe option no less - it is now finding its space in the home. Indeed, Mad About the House notes that dark neutrals are taking their place alongside paler ones. With its sophisticated and powerful characteristics, black excels in modern and industrial settings, often creating a sleek look (LuxDeco). It also looks great as a backdrop to art and furniture, although ensure you have enough lighting to make it work (Mad About the House).

White

Balance, freshness, cleanliness, purity, virginity, innocence

Opposite to black, white is the reflection of all light. As Mad About the House says, “it is the decorating equivalent of wiping the slate clean - literally painting out the previous occupants’ tastes while we wait to uncover the personality of the home we have just moved into”. To work best, white needs different textures and layers - here, you can display a bit of freedom as what actually qualifies as white. It is popular in Scandi interiors, perhaps because of the lack of light in these countries, but also because it works well to give that clean, natural vibe. But beware, white is not durable and will need a lot of care, especially in places of high use. It is therefore probably not the best choice for houses with children or pets!

Source of inspiration: Pinterest

Texture and Pattern

Having dissected each colour in depth, it is also important to look at texture and pattern within interiors.

Texture refers to the surface quality of a material - for example, smooth or bumpy. According to Hatch Designs, “our perception of texture is also influenced by the textures of adjacent surfaces, our viewing distance, as well as the lighting applied”. What’s more, texture is either tactile, the actual feeling, or visual, the texture our brain thinks a surface will be.

Pattern simply relates to the repetition of a graphic motif (Hatch Designs).

Along with colour, texture and pattern are used to communicate a particular style. For example, traditional, rustic or country interiors use a mixture of textures - often borrowing from the natural world. They also used traditional patterns in fabrics and wallpapers like check or floral - just think of Soho Farmhouse or The Ned. In contrast, modern interiors use minimal textures - glossy, smooth, sleek design.

Should You Keep a Theme Throughout Your Home?

A key question I always wonder is whether you should keep a theme throughout, for example, by using similar colours or materials in different rooms. An obvious benefit is that it maintains consistency and creates a sense of flow as you move through the house.

In order to do this, Houzz suggests to start with a floor plan, marking which rooms are visible to one another. Ask yourself, how will that room look when I’m standing in here. From there, either pick a colour “for the biggest, most centrally located room” or for the room “you want to paint the boldest colour”. Then, build outwards, using a colour palette with different shades of the same hue. Houzz also suggest keeping connecting spaces neutral.

In addition to this, the upstairs and downstairs can be treated separately, especially if there is a physical separation between the two. This makes sense - you probably want to achieve a different mood in your bedrooms to your entertaining space. And, even if you have different palettes between the two, you can always use accent colours from the living spaces in your bedroom, and vice versa.

Conclusion

With so much theory and boundless colour options, it’s hard to know where to begin when choosing a colour for a room. So, to sum up, here are a few tips that I find invaluable…

• Match the colour to your existing furniture - especially if there is a key piece (Hey There Home)

• Find inspiration – use prints that you have in your home, artwork that you like, Pinterest and Instagram posts, magazines, paint colour sites…

• Similar to the above, look at what colours are paired together on such sites and don’t be afraid to reach out to the experts either. I emailed Farrow and Ball to get the perfect pairing for my bedroom colour scheme.

• Turn to nature. Forests and beaches are a good place to start (The Spruce).

• Try before you buy, using paint swatches. Be sure to move these around, looking at them in different lights at different times of the day.

• Last, but certainly not least, be you! Trends will come and go and they will help you with that all important inspiration, but deep down, there will be colours that you feel comfortable using - stick to what you love and you can’t go wrong. And remember, it’s only paint: you can always start again.