May 14, 20213 min read

Choosing the Perfect Paint Colours: Part I

Home colour schemes to inspire your mood

Choosing paint colours for your home can be a tad overwhelming. Over our next two blogs, we aim to help you get a few steps closer to finding the perfect tones for your walls – with the ins and outs of why colour is important, how it can make us feel and what colour combos work well.

Our wellbeing and mood can be affected by colours in different ways and there is a psychology behind it. Some bring feelings of natural softness, tranquillity and warmth, such as subtle shades of blue, yellow and peach. Whilst bright and darker colours bring out feelings of strength and passion, as well as creating a bold look for our home.

Choosing the right colour combination will help bring the feeling and ambiance you want to transform a room into your perfect haven.

Paint colour swatches — All the colours of the rainbow and more...paint colour swatches

So, how are colour trends set for the year?

When we’re looking for inspiration or shopping for decor accessories, certain colours will catch our eye. Did you know these will have been set each year by colour experts like Pantone and Dulux?

The PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM® tool revolutionised the printing industry in 1963 and supports all colour-conscious industries from beauty and textiles to architectural and interior design.

"The union of an enduring Ultimate Grey with the vibrant yellow Illuminating expresses a message of positivity supported by fortitude. Practical and rock solid, but at the same time warming and optimistic, this is a colour combination that gives us resilience and hope. We need to feel encouraged and uplifted. This is essential to the human spirit."

- Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Colour Institute

For 2021, the team at Pantone felt that as people look for energy, clarity, and hope – spirited and emboldening shades PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray + PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating would help to satisfy our quest for vitality.

Pantone has a fantastic online colour finder, which you can use to help create a mood board and choose the perfect paint colours for your home decor project. Try it out and tell us what you think of it!

Wall colours to soothe and revitalise

When you think of each room in your house, how do you want to feel when you cook, sit down or close your eyes to sleep? What emotions do you want to inspire in your family and guests? For many of us, this will be the year of choosing uplifting wall colours in line with Pantone’s spirited mantra.

Below, we’ve created a colour mood board to help you get to grips with how you can create an atmosphere that boosts relaxation and positivity. This draws on the colour expertise of The London Image Institute with additional thoughts from Design Psychologist, Niki Schafer, who has been working with B&Q to help their customers choose colours based on how they make you feel.

Yellow

Yellow generally brings a smile to our faces. However, while it is an uplifting colour, it can be bold. A soft grey or blue will help to balance the brightness while keeping the sunny warmth.

Green and Blue

Greens and blues are good for the soul. Green patterns, especially foliage, soothe our minds and put us at one with nature. Blue is also productive, working well in home gyms and offices.

Pink

Pinks inspire welcoming and bubbly feelings. Softer variations of pink bring warmth, tranquillity and elegance to the home, particularly when matched with baby blue. A stronger pink will offer flashes of vibrance and invigoration.

Black

A hint of black oozes sophistication. Used sparingly in the form of a statement wall or with lampshades, side tables or flashes in your wallpaper or rugs – black can add an impressive air of decadence to any room.