Colours affect our mood. So, surrounding ourselves with the right hues while we eat, work, sleep and play, is vital for our wellbeing. And it’s so important to choose the colours which really give us a boost.

Yellow might be a happy colour but if you hate yellow, it’s not the most ideal choice for your interiors.

There are however, general themes that we can follow to give us a little direction when feeling lost in the depths of the paint aisle at the local hardware store.

Red

Red heart shaped bowls

Love, passion, drama, confidence – red is a great colour for anyone looking to grab their interiors with both hands and show off some flare.

Red for many is a happy colour and is associated with high energy and power. However, some can find it quite intense - in other words, it won’t be ignored so use it sparingly and with purpose.

Orange

Warm and inviting, orange carries hints of Indian summers, Moroccan dishes and a general feeling of happiness.

An upbeat colour, orange is great for gathering spaces where interaction and spending time together is key.

Like red, orange can sometimes feel quite intense if overused so employ it as an accent or feature-wall colour, or contain it to one room for maximum impact.

Yellow

Used in the right way, yellow can be striking and carries tones of optimism and forward-thinking. And even if it isn’t your favourite colour, it can promote laughter and happiness – something to keep in mind when decorating your interiors.

Filling in your tax forms? Got lots to do? A yellow room might just give you that boost you’ve been waiting for.

Green

Green has lots of positive qualities and is a very creative colour. And if you’re not ready to start painting your walls in an intense shade of fern, why not try introducing a few houseplants?

Contrast slate grey, natural wood and clear glass with leafy indoor plants to accent your home and add a touch of inspiration as well as motivation.

Blue

Blue swirl paint

When asked their favourite colour, many people will respond with “blue” and who can blame them? Blue is a wonderfully calming colour – you just have to spend time by the sea or under a clear sky to notice its effect.

Because of this, blue makes a great choice for both bedrooms and bathrooms. As you wind down from a tiring day with a long soak before curling up with a good book, blue can help reduce stress and promote relaxation.

Used too often however, blue can also be very cooling so make sure you balance it with warmer tones around your home.

Violet

Violet stimulates the problem-solving areas of your brain and purples in general are very vivid and rich. Darker purples can be used to add drama and warmth while lighter purples are more calming but still maintain a presence.

Purples are great for places of creativity as well as entertainment so consider them for music rooms, Yoga studios and art dens.

Adding colour to your home

Rainbow cake

With colour playing such an important part in our home, it’s worth making a note of how each one makes you feel before you commit to a scheme. You might have seen a glorious room in red and teal, but if red makes you feel anxious or overwhelmed, you might want to reconsider your palette.

Isolate each colour and write down how it makes you feel. Show the colours to your family – how do they react?

Once you have chosen a colour, start to explore the details – how intense do you want it to be, what colours you want to accent it with and how your furniture and belongings will complement your scheme.