Colour Psychology: What Your Wall Colour Says About You

When you walk into a room, you may notice your mood shifting. Maybe there’s a little extra spring in your step or you suddenly feel a nap coming on – whichever it is, that’s the power of colour psychology. So, when you choose a colour for a room, what message is it telling the world?

Small apartment kitchen with a white retro fridge, cabinets painted in BEHR Classic Silver PPU18-11 and walls painted in BEHR Hawaiian Pineapple PPU6-13

Behr: Hawaiian Pineapple PPU6-13, Spice Garden M370-3,...

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Boundless Energy

As the brightest of all the colours, yellow is an attention grabber – it’s energetic and welcoming. Since yellow has been shown to increase metabolism, think about painting it in the kitchen (or home gym), but limit it to one section, as its intensity can cause visual fatigue.

Beautiful bathroom with a floating vanity, a round sink, a silver framed mirror, a white bench stacked with towels, and walls paint in BEHR Hyacinth Arbor PPU16-18 and Carbon N520-7

Behr: Hyacinth Arbor PPU16-18, Carbon N520-7

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Royal Flush

Since purple is rarely found in large quantities out in nature, we instinctually see it as precious. Because of this, its rich hue often symbolizes wealth or royalty. A room painted in violet, lilac or mauve communicates regality and mystery.

Funky bedroom with a turquoise coloured bed covered in a flower themed bedspread, a bedside table with two vases, an electric guitar in the corner, and walls painted in BEHR Harvest Time S300-6 and Ultra Pure White 1850

Behr: Harvest Time S300-6, Ultra Pure White 1850

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Orange You Glad to Meet Me

Orange is often seen as the happiness colour – combine red and yellow and you get a bold, energetic shade that grabs your attention. Spending time in a room painted orange can elicit feelings of warmth, excitement and enthusiasm.

Beautiful living room with an open fireplace, two large grey couches, a chic metal coffee table, and BEHR Kindling N200-6 and Cotton Knit PPU7-11 painted on the walls

Behr: Kindling N200-6, Cotton Knit PPU7-11

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Welcome to Brown

Reliable, dependable and nurturing – these are all qualities associated with brown or other rich, earthy tones. Since this is the colour of earth, brown conjures up feelings of being safe and secure, of being “grounded”.

Chic living room with a tufted grey couch, modern coffee table, two frames on the wall, light grey drapes and walls painted in BEHR Liquid Mercury N510-5 and White 52

Behr: Liquid Mercury N510-5, White 52

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Grey Stoke

Grey is strong and steady – being neither dark nor bright, it sits neatly in the pocket of neutrality and impartiality. While in colour psychology, those who gravitate towards grey may be considered conventional, they can also be intellectuals and hard workers.

Modern kitchen with a long island with sit up seating, large tile floors, and walls painted in BEHR Torch Red MQ4-35, Iron Mountain N520-5 and White Metal N520-1

Behr: Torch Red MQ4-35, Iron Mountain N520-5, White Metal...

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Literal Red Room

Red is a strong colour that arouses an array of intense emotions – love, anger, power and passion are all linked to red. But so too are warmth and comfort, making it a dynamic choice for a room.

Chic tan coloured upholstered chairs sits in a modern home with a marble floor and walls painted in BEHR Carbon N520-7 and Antique Tin PPU18-03

Behr: Carbon N520-7, Antique Tin PPU18-03

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Black Out

In the colour spectrum, black absorbs all light; but in colour psychology it’s associated with boldness, power and mystery. A black room or wall adds a layer of luxury to a space, where anything is possible… and secrets can be easily hidden.

Charming bathroom with a large white clawfoot bathtub, two tall windows looking out to the sea, a small shelf with two frames, and walls painted in BEHR Seagull Gray N360-1 and White 52

Behr: Seagull Gray N360-1, White 52

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White Knight

Innocence, peace and purity: white is used to symbolizes them all (imagine a white wedding dress, a white dove or a white stack of towels). Painting a room in a soft white sends a message to visitors that you value simplicity and cleanliness.