Creating a Harmonious Home: The Role of Colour in Interior Design

In the world of interior design, colour isn’t just an accent; it plays a vital role in the overall mood, style, and flow within a space. Choosing the right colours for your home can create harmony, establish focal points, and even affect the way a room feels in terms of space and temperature.

In addition, most people don't think often about the impact that different colours and hues have on their emotions. However, the concept of colour theory (which dates back to ancient times) has been researched and studied extensively—proving that it has incredible emotive power.

Looking to use it to elevate your own living space? With a better understanding of colour theory and how to use it to your advantage, you can do just that.

Understanding the Emotive Power of Colours in Homes

There is a strong connection between psychology and colour, with different colours proven to elicit emotional responses and even impact mental health. For example, red is often associated with such feelings as love, passion, and even anger. Meanwhile, blue may evoke feelings of calmness, serenity, and tranquillity.

Explore some examples of popular colours and their associated emotions below:

• Yellow - Happiness and joy
• Green - Balance and serenity
• Purple - Relaxation and creativity
• Grey - Comfort and maturity

Now, imagine waking up in a room with bright red walls. On the other hand, imagine waking up in a space with lots of neutral greys and blue hues. It’s more likely you’d feel calmer waking up in the second room. 

The Impact of Colour on Room Dynamics

In addition to being able to elicit a wide range of emotions, colour also has the ability to affect the dynamics of a room in significant ways. For instance, the use of certain hues in your home decor can make a space feel larger or smaller.

In general, darker colours tend to create the illusion of a smaller space, whereas lighter colours can have the opposite effect of making a space feel larger and more open.

Meanwhile, different hues can also make living spaces feel warmer or cooler. Warmer colours (such as reds, oranges, and yellows) can make a space more energizing and vibrant. Cooler colours (like blues, greens, and purples) may create a sense of calm and relaxation—which is probably why they're such a popular choice in bedrooms and living areas.

Building a Cohesive Colour Palette

If you're looking to incorporate some of these components of colour theory into your own interior design ideas, one of the most essential things to keep in mind is to start with a cohesive colour palette.

Ideally, your colour palette should include a single, dominant colour that will set the foundation for harmony throughout your space.

Many interior designers will use the "60-30-10" rule to build a colour palette, where the dominant hue makes up 60% of the colour pallet, followed by 30% of complementary colours and 10% of accent colours. Following this approach is a great way to strike an ideal balance in your space while maintaining visual interest.

Colour Placement for Flow and Functionality

Another factor to keep in mind when it comes to making colour choices in your home is the importance of colour placement—particularly when it comes to overall flow and functionality.

Consistent colour choices can create more seamless transitions and flow within open spaces, so consider using colours with similar hues and undertones as the dominant colour in a larger space. From there, you can pair different complementary and accent colours throughout different living areas.

Using basic colour placement practices, you don't have to stick to the exact same colour scheme in every room—you can create a sense of balance and cohesiveness that will elevate your interior design.

Making a Statement

 

Consider investing in statement furniture with unique hues. When you find a standout piece—a velvet emerald sofa, a cobalt blue armchair, or an incredibly vibrant area carpet—let it be the centerpiece of the room’s design. By grounding the space with neutrals and adding complementary accents, you can let these statement pieces shine without overwhelming the space.

Creating Balance with Textures and Patterns

When it comes to choosing colours for your living space, you might also consider incorporating different patterns and textures into your interior design. Not only can textures and patterns tone down or enhance colours, but they can also add some much-needed depth and dimension to give your home a sense of luxury interior design.

Consider, for example, contrasting softer and heavier textures—or even layering different materials to take your design to the next level.

Plus, when working with multiple colours in the same room, using patterns can be a great way to cultivate a sense of unity.

Seasonal and Timeless Colour Trends

Seasonal decorating can be fun, especially if you enjoy changing things up to celebrate different times of year. However, it's important to take your home's existing colour scheme into account when incorporating seasonal colours and decor.

Always try to select seasonal colours and hues that will mesh well with your current colour palette, as this will help you avoid accidental clashing.

Many Calgary homeowners enjoy opting for timeless colour trends that can be subtly changed and refreshed without needing a complete overhaul. Neutrals as a dominant colour are ideal for this, as you can easily combine these with different accent colours and complementary hues throughout the year.

Pops of Bold Colours 

Interior design doesn’t mean sticking to a muted palette. Adding a pop of bold colour—think a vibrant orange throw, a turquoise vase, or a modern art piece—adds character and personal flair. When done tastefully, these bold touches can highlight your unique style while maintaining an overall sense of balance.

The Final Word on Colour in Interior Design

The use of colour in your home interior design matters just as much as your furniture and decor choices, so it's not something you'll want to overlook if you want to maximize the enjoyment and functionality of your space. Fortunately, with these tips and best practices in mind, you can optimize every space in your home with colour palettes that suit your tastes and aesthetics.

Looking for the right modern home decor and furniture to bring your vision to life?

We offer an extensive selection of luxury furnishings curated by our experienced team of in-house designers. From modern furniture and area rugs to lighting, decor, and more, you can explore selections from the industry's most elite brands.

Seeking more assistance in turning your vision into reality? Our interior design team is happy to help, so get in touch to book your appointment today!