9 Paint Colors to Boost Your Mental Health at Home

Did you know that the colour scheme in your home can affect your mood and mental health? According to colour psychology, certain hues can influence your emotions and behaviour. 

Colour therapy, a practice of introducing colours into a space to improve well-being, has also been used as a method to relieve stress. Hence, painting your house in a specific shade may help to promote wellness and create positive vibes.

Learn about how colour can influence your emotions and the best shades for boosting mental wellness with our article. Plus, find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about this topic below!

 

Colour Therapy vs Colour Psychology

Colour therapy and psychology both involve the use of colour to influence the mind and body. However, they involve slightly different approaches.

Colour therapy is a form of alternative therapy that uses colour and light to improve mental and physical health conditions. It’s based on the belief that exposure to certain colours can help to balance your body’s energy.

On the other hand, colour psychology is the study of how colours influence people’s emotions, feelings and behaviour. It involves using colour to shape perception and trigger emotional responses. For example, darker hues such as maroon are often associated with aggression and overusing it may promote feelings of anger. In contrast, lighter hues like yellow may evoke feelings of joy and happiness.

 

Best Paint Colours for Your Home to Improve Mental Health

Choosing the right paint for your walls can positively influence your mood and reduce stress. Cool colours such as blue and green can create a calming environment as they evoke feelings of serenity. Additionally, warm colours like orange and yellow are linked to happiness and optimism.

Whether you’re looking to add positivity to your home or create a relaxing haven, our paint colour suggestions will help you set the right mood!

 

Paint Red for Passion and Energy

Red is associated with love, energy, and excitement. Dark red is often linked to passion while lighter shades are linked to feelings of warmth.

Exposure to this colour may boost your energy levels and help combat feelings of tiredness or fatigue. As red also represents power and strength, it can increase your motivation and confidence levels. 

If you often feel down and unmotivated, consider refreshing your walls with a touch of red to inject positive vibes into your space!

Vermillion 9004	Sashay Red NP R 1260 A	Keepsake Rose NP R 1337 A	Rosa Rosa NP R 2328 A

 

Paint Orange for Vitality and Enthusiasm

Orange is a bright and cheerful hue that sparks feelings of happiness. A combination of yellow and red, this colour signifies creativity, optimism and enthusiasm.

Adding orange accents to your space is a great way to lift your spirits and inject vitality. The vibrant hues can help you maintain a positive attitude and brighten your mood. If you lack motivation and new ideas, a splash of orange can make you feel refreshed and unlock the inspiration you need.

Here’s what we recommend to create a vibrant atmosphere at home:

Party Time NP YO 1225 A	Disco Beat NP YO 1211	Tigerstripe NP YO 1232 A	Laughing Out Loud NP YO 2422 D

Paint Yellow for Cheerfulness and Spontaneity

Credit: Kelly’s Happy Yellow Powder Room: Before & After

Much like orange, yellow is another colour linked to positive feelings. It’s often perceived as bright and cheerful, just like the optimistic sea sponge SpongeBob SquarePants, who also happens to be yellow.

Bright sunshine yellows are often associated with fun and warmth while darker shades are linked to confidence and optimism. As such, adding more yellow tones to your surroundings may help when you’re feeling down.

If you’re looking to create a cheery atmosphere at home, this is the colour to go for! Here are some shades to consider:

Sunlight 1190	Sweet Yellow NP YO 1143 T	Summer Sailing NP YO 2533 D	Sunny Fields NP YO 2564 P

Paint Green for Peace and Hope

Green is the colour of nature, and is often associated with peaceful scenes of lush forests and grassy landscapes. Hence, this colour is ideal for creating a calming atmosphere in meditation rooms, bedrooms and bathrooms.

Moreover, green symbolises a sense of renewal and new beginnings. While lighter shades spark feelings of hope and harmony, darker ones elicit a sense of balance and reassurance.

Incorporating such soothing hues into your living room can help create a rejuvenating environment that takes your mind off daily stressors. It can also reduce anxiety levels, improving your overall mental well-being.

Here are our top picks to create a green colour palette for your home:

Aquarine 0812	Emerald 9048	Bamboo Tile NP BGG 2641 D	Elves Green NP BGG 1608 P

Paint Blue for Tranquility and Calmness

As the colour of the sky and the ocean, blue evokes feelings of tranquillity and harmony. Deeper shades are often associated with intelligence and serenity, while lighter ones elicit feelings of trust and honesty.

Whether you prefer midnight or pastel blue, this colour will create a peaceful atmosphere where you can unwind and recharge. Not sure which shade of blue to choose? Here are some options to consider:

Misty Morning NP PB 2877 P	Bustling Blue NP PB 2847 T	Blue Marines 9008

Paint Purple for Creativity and Royalty

Purple is a colour that’s often associated with creativity, royalty, and fantasy. It can also promote a sense of harmony and boost your mental wellness.

Lighter shades, such as lavender and lilac, are often seen as calming and relaxing. Darker shades of purple, on the other hand, symbolise mystery and magic. 

Hence, if you want to create a soothing environment and boost your creative abilities at the same time, purple is a great choice of colour. Here are some of our favourite shades:

Fresh Lilac NP PB 2937 P	Meadow Sweet 0820	Marmalade Rush NP AC 2085 A

Paint Pink for Warmth and Romance

Pink is a romantic colour. Pastel pink, in particular, is delicate and soothing, making it a great choice for bedrooms, bathrooms, and living rooms. Due to its softness, this colour is also often associated with childhood and is a suitable shade for children’s rooms.

The calming nature of pastel pink can have a positive impact on your emotions and well-being. It can also promote feelings of warmth, comfort, and relaxation.

Here are our top picks for pastel pink paint:

Pink Lustre 9064	Peach Frosting 0837	Dutchess Pink 9072

Paint Grey for Neutrality and Stability

For some, grey can be a monotonous colour while for others, it can represent neutrality and stability. In fact, it can be used to create a peaceful and grounded environment that promotes mental clarity and focus. This makes it a great colour for workspaces or areas where concentration is important.

Grey can be paired with other colours like beige and yellow to add a touch of warmth to your room. It can also be used as the background in spaces where other furnishings are the focus, such as in kitchens with colourful cabinetry.

If you’re unsure of which shade of grey to go for, these are some of our recommendations:

Knight in Shining Armour NP N 3066 P	Millenium Gray NP N 2036 D	Papier Grey 9025

Paint White for Minimalism and Simplicity

Credit: Brittany Ambridge

Don’t be too quick to dismiss white as a boring colour – it’s commonly associated with purity and is frequently used to make a room feel more spacious. Light shades of white can create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Pure white, on the other hand, can project an air of elegance and simplicity.

Furthermore, this colour can soothe your frazzled nerves after a day’s hustle and bustle, giving you a refreshed mind to take on the next day.

Here’s what we recommend if you’re going for a neutral colour palette:

Soft Beancurd NP OW 2155 P	Autumn White NP OW 1027 P	Morning Chill NP OW 2279 P

 

 

FAQs About How Colours Affect Mental Health

What colour represents mental health?

Green is the colour used to promote mental health awareness. During Mental Health Awareness Month, green ribbons are worn to show support for those with mental health issues.

 

What colours are good for helping with depression?

Introducing these comforting tones into your home can potentially alleviate feelings of depression and elevate your mood:

• White

White symbolises purity and harmony. Injecting this colour into your home may clear your mind of negative thoughts that are weighing you down.

• Blue

Admiring the sky or sea can invoke a sense of tranquillity. Similarly, painting your room in shades of blue can help you feel calm and improve your mood.

• Green

Green has the ability to evoke feelings of peace and serenity. Painting your home in this calming colour can, therefore, promote an overall sense of refreshment and put a pause on unhappy thoughts.

 

What colours are good for reducing anxiety?

Certain hues are known to provide a calming and soothing effect: 

• Green

Green is a colour that connects us with the beauty of nature. Incorporating this colour into your space can create a calming atmosphere and soothe your mind.

• Blue

Blue tones are often associated with peace and relaxation. In fact, psychologists believe that spaces featuring this colour can take troubles off your mind and give you a break from the stressors of daily life. 

Moreover, adding some shades of blue to your home may alleviate feelings of anxiety.

 

What colours are suitable for a study room?

Light or neutral colours can help with productivity, focus, and creativity. Examples of such colours include:

• Yellow

Yellow can stimulate mental activity, boost confidence and enhance memory. Moreover, it’s the colour of sunshine and represents joy and optimism! As such, adding a splash of yellow might help you become more productive and positive.

• Green

Green brings the outdoors into your home, creating a tranquil atmosphere. This sense of serenity allows your mind to focus on your work and studies without distractions.

• Blue

Blue is often associated with peace and imagination. Thus, adding various shades of blue to your room can create a soothing ambience, improve your concentration and promote creativity.