Hi everyone,
How are you this Sunday? I hope you’ve had a slow start to the day and maybe a moment for a quiet cup of tea.
As many of you know, colour is what I live and breathe. I’ve spent years working with people to help them find the right palette for their homes, and after thousands of consultations, I can tell you one thing with certainty: colour is never just visual. It’s deeply emotional.
We often think of colour as the final layer in a room, the bit that makes it “look nice.” But in truth, it’s foundational. Colour has the power to affect how we feel, how relaxed or alert we are, and even how well a space supports us. It connects directly to our nervous system, shaping our energy long before we realise it.
This week, I’d love to share a little more about the psychology of colour in interiors, and how you can start to see colour as a tool for emotional wellbeing.
Colour and the Nervous System
Colour is pure light energy, and our bodies respond to it instantly. Some colours soothe, helping us unwind and settle. Others lift our focus or energy levels. It’s why a deep blue room can feel grounding while a sunlit yellow space feels energising and full of life.
Understanding this relationship means you can use colour to match what your body and home need most, to create an atmosphere that restores and supports you every day.
How Colour Makes Us Feel
Our reaction to colour isn’t logical; it’s emotional. Over the years, I’ve seen how memories, culture and experience shape each person’s response. A warm ochre that brings one person comfort might remind another of a place they’d rather forget.
That’s why I always begin a consultation with feeling. I’ll ask, “What do you want this space to do for you?” From there, we build a palette that nurtures that feeling, whether it’s calm, creativity, connection or focus.
The Four Emotional Foundations
Across colour psychology, four hues consistently anchor us emotionally:
Blue = the colour of the mind. Brings calm, clarity and helps you slow down and focus.
Red = the colour of physicality. It adds warmth, energy and vitality. In moderation, it grounds a space beautifully.
Yellow = the colour of your nervous system. It lifts mood and confidence. Muted tones create joy without overstimulation.
Green = the colour of balance. Restoring balance and harmony it’s a colour that helps us feel connected to nature.
Think of these as foundations to build emotional tone within your home, and a great place to start if you aren’t quite sure where to begin.
Tone, Depth and Comfort
It’s not just about which colour you choose, but how strong, soft or deep it is. Saturated shades can be invigorating, while softer tones are often more relaxing to live with.
Dark colours are often misunderstood; they can actually feel cocooning and deeply comforting. Lighter shades, on the other hand, can feel open and spacious if balanced well. The secret lies in listening to how the colour makes your body feel when you step into the room.
A More Honest Relationship with Colour
So many of us play it safe with colour because we fear getting it wrong. I see it all the time: people defaulting to neutral because it feels less risky. But when we let go of that fear, something wonderful happens.
Your home doesn’t need to please anyone else; it needs to feel right for you. When you choose colours that support how you want to feel, rather than how you want to be perceived, you create a space that genuinely nurtures you.
A Slower, More Considered Approach
Colour doesn’t reveal itself all at once. The most harmonious schemes are those chosen slowly, after observing how light shifts through the day or how a shade feels over time. The rooms that last are never just beautiful; they feel intuitively right.
One thing I often say to clients who feel unsure about choosing colours for their homes is this: start with your wardrobe. The colours we reach for every day say so much about what makes us feel good.
Open your wardrobe and take a look at what you naturally wear most. Which pieces make you feel comfortable and confident? Which jumpers, dresses or scarves do you always reach for because they just feel like you? That’s where your happiest palette often lives.
If you love wearing it, chances are you’ll love living with it too.
Maybe you’re drawn to soft neutrals with a pop of colour in a bright shoe, or perhaps you love pattern and texture. Bring that same instinct into your home through your accessories, a patterned cushion, a colourful throw, a lamp that lifts the whole space.
Your wardrobe is a mirror of who you are, and it’s one of the easiest ways to uncover the palette that truly feels like home.
So as you move through your Sunday, take a moment to notice the colours that surround you. Which ones make your whole body relax? Which ones give you a spark of energy? Which ones feel like home?
Colour has a quiet power. When it’s used with purpose and care, it does more than decorate; it supports you every single day.
With love,
Tash
Images: All sourced from Pinterest