Decorating for Joy: The Colors Recommended by an 'Art Therapist' for Happiness
A home that buzzes with vibrant colors radiates cheer. From the hues themselves to where they are placed within your surroundings, color can completely transform the ambiance of a room - and, more importantly, the people within it. So, it's essential to truly grasp the power of colors instead of merely picking tones you like (though that matters, too).
But is there a magical color we all should splash on our walls, claiming the all-singing, all-dancing crown of joyful hues? When it comes to color psychology in interior design, most agree that warmer, brighter colors inspire optimism; still, it runs deeper than that, and eventually boils down to personal experiences and perceptions.
"As an art therapist, I've seen how personal color associations can be," explains Megan Collins, founder of NeuroArts Therapy. "For some clients, red symbolizes anger; for others, it represents love. Neuroaesthetics - the study of how the brain processes art - shows that our reactions to color are influenced by culture, memory, and experience."
Looking to bask in the delight of uplifting decor for your home? Below, we'll share some joyful colors and combinations worth considering for your space.
Much like a home that's tailored to your liking will offer an endorphin boost, the impact joyful colors have on our well-being is astonishing. "There is no force more powerful than color to boost your mood," says Paula Taylor, stylist and color expert at Graham & Brown. "It can alter your heart rate and may affect how calm and relaxed or stimulated we feel. Serotonin, often linked to mood regulation, may be stimulated by bright and cheerful colors, leading to a mood enhancement and increased happiness."
1. Lemon Yellow
Reminiscent of sunny days and heartwarming nostalgia, yellow is favorably linked to positivity, and it comes with scientific evidence backing its mood-enhancing properties as well. "A University of Manchester study found that decorating with yellow stimulates dopamine production, increasing happiness," shares Megan Collins. With so many stunning color pairings for yellow, it is the golden star of joyful color schemes. Yet, one specific shade is shining brightly among designers currently:
"This subtle yellow tone evolves from beige, introducing a more cheery, charming, and appealing tone that blends familiarity with a touch of much-needed joy," explains senior interior designer, Iwona Budnik of OWN LONDON. "It seamlessly integrates into various interior styles, from classic to contemporary minimalist and everything in between."
If you're not ready to commit fully to saturated banana or citron tones, choosing a creamier, less intense yellow opens up delightful and even surprising design possibilities.
Much like a stable yellow tone functions as the perfect companion to vivid orange trim and delicate pink accents in Dorothée Meilichzon's Hotel Montesol project, Iwona recommends experimenting with layers and contrasts for uplifting results.
"In a recent project within a family home," she shares, "we employed various buttery yellow tones on the walls to subtly highlight other colors. This choice created a softer, less stark contrast than white, effectively inviting the essence of summer indoors and capturing sunlight beautifully."
2. Pink and Coral
Savoring the essence of summer, warming pinks, coral, and sunset oranges are a cornucopia of joyous colors that can ignite happiness at home. According to Megan, "Colors can influence mood by activating the brain's reward system. Yellow, orange, and pink frequently evoke feelings of joy due to their reminders of warmth, sunlight, and playfulness."
Recall memories of cheerful times, and you'll see these vivid colors incentivize happiness. Pink is another wonderfully optimistic color and brings joy for many. Bright and bubbly pinks are a blast, but various historical pinks, like Benjamin Moore's charming Rosy Tan, offer a subtle yet effective way to enliven your space.
For a true sugary pink sensation, Farrow & Ball's Nancy Blushes is uplifting and jubilant, while offering a sophisticated finish when paired with its complementary shade, All White.
3. Green Landscapes
Wrapped in verdant, verdant tones, Mother Nature is the ultimate source of joyful hues. For those fortunate enough to reside in the countryside, simply open your windows and invite all greens - and colors that harmonize with green - into your home, creating joyful surroundings.
"Green gives us the feeling of being closer to nature and all its benefits, such as boosting our mood and soothing our stress," explains Emma Sims-Hilditch, founder and creative director at Sims Hilditch. "Nature is a fantastic source of inspiration for a color palette, considering the array of tones and hues of green found in your garden or landscape, which work together beautifully."
In addition to the vibrant tones found in nature, muted greens are also suitable for instances where softer shades are preferred. The journey to discovering the best palette for your home often starts with identifying which greens unwind you.
4. Uplifting Persimmon
Offering a joyful, cheerful atmosphere, Persimmon's warm shades can create a stimulating environment, boosting your energy levels and mood. Maximize the vibrancy of this invigorating hue in your workspace, kitchen, or entranceway. Contrast its bold intensity with calming neutrals like Off-White, Tanner's Brown, or Oakash.
5. Harmonious Purple and Orange
A lively blend of deep purple and vibrant orange, this color combination makes for a playful, joyous contrast. Purple embodies imagination and creativity, while orange radiates positivity and energizes the mind. This duo provides a unique, eye-catching design aesthetic, captivating anyone who sets foot into the space.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I select joyful colors for my home?
Choose colors that make you think of happy, playful memories - like memories of rainbows, bright colors, or childhood days.
What colors should I avoid when creating a joyful interiors scheme?
Typically, black and gray are linked to gloominess, so it's best to limit their use in joyful spaces. While blue has a profound role in many color schemes, its saturation and undertone must be considered to ensure it maintains a joyful atmosphere.
Are joyful colors always bright?
While brighter shades often promote energy and create a dynamic vibe, more muted tones - like buttery yellow or soft pink - can also evoke feelings of happiness and positivity. So, the brightness of a joyful color is not always necessary.
- A sunny living room decorated with lemon yellow evokes feelings of positivity, boosting your mood and offering an endorphin boost much like a home tailored to your liking.
- Warmer pinks, coral, and sunset oranges introduces a cornucopia of joyous colors, reminding us of warmth, sunlight, and playfulness, activating our brain's reward system and evoking feelings of joy.
- Green, being the ultimate source of joyful hues from Mother Nature, offers a soothing effect, bringing us closer to nature, boosting our mood, and reducing stress.
- Using Persimmon in workspaces, kitchens, or entranceways creates a stimulating environment, boosting your energy levels and mood with its warm shades.
- Harmonious purple and orange, a unique and eye-catching duo, embodies imagination and creativity while radiating positivity and energizing the mind.
- Interior design trends often feature home-and-garden elements, and incorporating fashion-and-beauty colors into your home design can cultivate a trendy, vibrant lifestyle that seamlessly harmonizes with health-and-wellness and mental-health considerations.
