Energising paint colours can be used strategically in various areas of your home to create a vibrant and lively atmosphere when painting and decorating. While oranges and reds are indeed considered energising colours, there are a few surprises and alternatives you can consider as well. Here are some suggestions on when and where to use energising paint colours in your home decorating as they don’t always spring to people’s minds.
- Living Room: A living room is a social space where you can incorporate energising colours to create a lively environment. Consider painting an accent wall in a bold shade of orange or red to add vibrancy and energy. You can also use energetic yellows or warm shades of pink for a similar effect.
- Home Office: Energizing colours can be beneficial in a home office to promote productivity and focus. Consider using shades of orange or red as accents, such as painting the back of a bookshelf or adding vibrant accessories. Additionally, you can explore shades of green, which are known to enhance concentration and create a calming yet stimulating atmosphere.
- Exercise Room: If you have a dedicated exercise or workout area, energising colours can provide an extra boost of motivation. Bright and vibrant colours like orange, red, or even neon hues can help create a stimulating environment and increase energy levels.
- Kitchen: The kitchen is often the heart of the home, and using energising colours can make it a lively and energetic space. Consider using warm shades of orange or red for an accent wall, or choose vibrant shades of yellow to add a cheerful and energetic touch.
- Children’s Room/Playroom: Energising colours can be especially suitable for children’s spaces. Bright and bold hues like red, orange, or yellow can create a playful and vibrant atmosphere. You can also consider using energetic shades of blue or green, as they can promote a sense of calmness while still providing a stimulating effect.
Remember that while energising colours can add excitement and energy to a space, it’s essential to balance them with neutral or calming colours to avoid overwhelming the room. Consider using energising colours as accents, focal points, or in combination with more soothing tones to create a harmonious and balanced overall design. Ultimately, it’s important to choose colours that resonate with your personal style and preferences while considering the function and mood you want to achieve in each space.
Energising the bedroom
There have been studies done on the effect of room colour on sleep. Research suggests that cooler colours such as blues and greens can promote relaxation and improve sleep quality, while warmer colors like reds and yellows can be stimulating and disruptive to sleep. However, it’s important to note that individual preferences and associations with colours can also play a role in how one reacts to different room colours.
Studies have shown that exposure to blue light, particularly from electronic devices such as smartphones and computers, can disrupt the body’s circadian rhythm and suppress the production of melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate sleep. This can lead to difficulty falling asleep and poor quality of sleep. Additionally, research has suggested that long-term exposure to blue light at night may also increase the risk of developing certain health conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. There is a good possibility that blue-light absorbing colours – the warmer energising colours – could help in this regard.
Warmer oranges and reds are after all the colours of the sunset, so don’t rule them out says Paul. The results can be quite surprising as each of us has a different set of associations with each set of colours. The featured image is from a bedroom we did a while ago that both we, and the client were really happy with.
There are several famous rooms and buildings that are painted in warmer oranges and reds. One example is the Palace of Versailles in France, which features the famous Hall of Mirrors that is adorned with intricate gold leaf and warm red and orange hues. Another example is the Red Room in the White House, which is a warm and inviting space that features red walls, gold accents, and antique furnishings. Additionally, the Taj Mahal in India is another famous building that features warm orange hues in its intricate designs and architecture. Not that any of these are bedrooms mindyou – but interesting non the less.