Colour Therapy: Hues to suit your mood

bold walpaper Did you know that the colour you choose for a room can directly affect your mood? Dr Pam Spurr explains how to evoke the right emotions through canny colour choices

Research shows that our immediate environment has a profound impact on the way we feel. For example, lighting that's harsh can make us feel quite agitated compared to lighting that's subtle and that can soothe us. Excessive noise is tiring and irritating whereas a quiet background 'hum' can be quite calming. The size and shape of a room can make us feel anything from claustrophobic to liberated.

But what effect do colours have on your feelings and mood? Colour can certainly alter or affect your mood state. It has the power to alter it entirely or simply enhance or diminish the mood-state you're already in.

The psychology of colour is important to understanding how you can change this aspect of your environment to get the benefits you want. So before you get decorating with paints, fabrics and accent materials check out my guide to the colours you can use to attain various mood-states.

Energising
There are a few distinct categories of colours that are energising. First, there are the mid-to-royal blues. These have to be clear, clean and bright shades to be energising. The duller and darker shades of blue do not energise! The second category of energising colours is the brighter, but not dark, reds. If these are too deep in colour they become more comforting and non-energising. One or two walls, or many accents using these reds, is enough to energise. Finally, yellows that border on golden hues but there are also clear and clean shades are also energising. But beware of the dark golds that are calming and the very light bright yellows that can be irritating over time rather than energising.

Calming and tranquillising
There are number of colour tones that are calming. These include the paler shades of blue that aren't bright in tone. Also pale lavenders and lilacs which are often used in mental health units due to their tranquillising nature. Pale tones of bricky-earth shades that border on fleshy-pinks also promote tranquillity as do darker richer golds.

Comforting
Deep, but not bright, shades of blue and paler violets are very comforting. However beware of using such tones in small rooms as these may border on the claustrophobic. Deeper shades of green also promote a sense of comfort. Deeper shades of earth tones and the dark fleshy pinks are comforting as they remind us of human contact and Mother Nature. Deep, rich butter tones can also be comforting.

Refreshing
The mid-range of greens that are of clear and clean tones are refreshing. Lime greens that aren't too vibrant (and then become overpowering) are also refreshing. However if you move into the darker ranges of greens these promote quite the opposite feeling. Bright, light shades of mandarin and nectarine are also refreshing. Clear lemon yellow is a refreshing shade but not the pale, brighter yellows.

Stabilising and neutral
There are different reasons why you might want to decorate a room that gives a stable atmosphere. For example, a reception area in a work environment, an office, or a reception room. If you want to stabilise mood go for shades like oatmeal, pale beiges, taupe, and dove greys. 'Institutional green' - that peculiar shade somewhere between avocado and mint-grey is also neutralising, that's why it became a standard shade in institutional care. These shades neither stimulate the emotions nor drain you emotionally.

Draining
Bright pinks have been shown in research to draw the energy out of people which is why some prisoner holding cells in America are dark bright pink to take the fight out of prisoners. This is contrary to what parents expect by painting their little girls' rooms bright pink. Bright, deep and clear orange tones are also draining as is bright, dark yellow.

Flat mood
The deepest shades of forest green, navy blues and greys create a flat mood that can border on depressing. This is also true of deep tan and rust colours. Be aware of how you use these colours. They are fine as accent colours but should not be used for main walls - particularly in smaller rooms.

Claustrophobic
Although elegant and sophisticated in the right dining room or a large sitting room the deepest burgundy colours create feelings of claustrophobia in small rooms. Black may be powerful in a large boardroom but again claustrophobic in small rooms. The darkest greys and browns will also create a claustrophobic mood. Be careful how you use these colours.

Liberating
Bright, light turquoises and sunny yellows have been found to be liberating. This ties in with the fact that the age-old remedy for those with long-term illnesses was to be sent off to the seaside to enjoy the fresh air, sunshine and turquoise seas. Clear, lighter pinks are also liberating. Any of these are particularly good choices if you're looking for renewal or are starting afresh.

Sensual
Rich milk-chocolatey tones, as well as darker chocolate tones, along with certain shades of deep red and crimson promote sensuality. As long as your bedroom isn't tiny you'll feel cocooned in sensuality with these shades rather than claustrophobic. Deep salmon pinks also enhance a sensual mood.

Commanding/authoritative
Deep purples and black give a sense of authority and being in command in large rooms. With the use of good lighting you appear to be the focal point which can be beneficial if you're in management or heading up a project. These can be used when you want to make a power statement.

Dr Pam has an advice column in weekly magazine Love It! She's the author of Sex, Guys, & Chocolate - Your Essential Guide To Lust, Love & Life (Anova Books)