Stay connected with us on social media
How Colour Psychology in Design Influences Home Ambience
Ever wondered why restaurants often use reds and yellows while hospitals and spas lean towards blues and greens? The simple reason behind this is colour psychology. Colours play a game with us where they directly impact how we feel and behave.
This psychological impact of colours has been studied for years, and different shades evoke different emotions. Some create a sense of calm, while others boost creativity or even make you feel hungry.
When you are building or repainting your home, it's important to understand colour psychology in design to create spaces that reflect the right mood and energy. Let this be your guide for everything about colour psychology for your home.
What is Colour Psychology?
The way colours affect mood is deeply rooted in both biology and culture. While some responses, like associating yellow with cheerfulness, are universal. Personal experiences and traditions also play a role. That’s why understanding room colour psychology is essential when designing a space, ensuring it aligns with how you want to feel every time you step inside.
At its core, colour psychology in interior design is about aesthetics and creating spaces that evoke specific feelings.
How Does Colour Psychology Affect Home Ambience?
Now, with a proper understanding of colour psychology, let's understand how they affect your home’s ambience.
1. Impact on Mood and Emotions
Every colour affects the way we feel. Some create excitement, while others promote relaxation. The right shades can influence mood and set the tone for each room.
Warm Colours: Energy and Vibrance
Shades like red, orange, and yellow feel lively and welcoming. These colours work well in social areas like the living or dining room. However, bright reds and oranges may feel overwhelming in spaces meant for rest.
Cool Colours: Calm and Relaxation
Blues and greens bring a sense of tranquillity. A bedroom painted in soft blue can feel peaceful, while a green study can help improve focus.
Neutrals: Balance and Versatility
White, beige, and grey allow other design elements to stand out. A neutral palette creates a clean look and works in any room. If used in excess, these colours may feel plain, but adding texture or warm lighting can prevent that.
2. Influence on Perception of Space
Colours change how a room feels. Some shades make a space seem larger, while others create a sense of depth and intimacy.
Lighter Shades: The Illusion of Space
Pastels, whites, and soft neutrals reflect light, making a room look open and airy. These shades are ideal for smaller spaces or homes with limited natural light.
Darker Hues: Depth and Intimacy
Deep blues, greens, and browns bring warmth and character. These shades create a cosy atmosphere and work well in larger rooms. A dark feature wall can make a spacious area feel more structured.
The Power of Contrast
Pairing dark furniture with light walls can make a space feel well-defined. A monochrome look, on the other hand, creates a seamless aesthetic.
3. Effects on Lighting and Temperature Perception
Colours interact with light in different ways. Some make a space feel brighter, while others create a sense of warmth.
Natural vs. Artificial Light
Light colours reflect sunlight and brighten a room, while darker shades absorb it and reduce glare. A well-lit home with soft neutrals can feel fresh and airy. A dimly lit space with deep colours can create a cosy setting.
Warm vs. Cool Tones
Terracotta and mustard bring warmth to a room, making them ideal for colder climates. In contrast, icy blue and mint green have a refreshing effect, making them suitable for warmer regions.
Reflective vs. Matte Finishes
Glossy paint enhances brightness, while matte surfaces soften the look of a room. The choice of finish affects how light spreads across a space, adding another layer to colour psychology in interior design.
Best Colours for Different Rooms and Their Psychological Effects
Each room has a unique purpose, and colour psychology in interior design helps enhance its function. Whether you want a cosy living space, a restful bedroom, or a productive workspace, the right shades can make all the difference.
1. Living Room
Our Recommendations: Shades such as Ecru Tint (NN 9088) and Vacant Thoughts (NN 9245) are calming. On the other hand, tones such as Deep Brick Red (RR 3078) and Slate Blue (BB5150) create a vibrant ambience.
2. Bedroom
A bedroom should be a space that promotes rest. Colours that affect mood in this space should be soothing rather than stimulating. Soft blues encourage relaxation, while muted greens create a fresh and serene environment.
Lavender adds a calming touch. To enhance the cosy atmosphere, ombre walls blending soft shades or a matte finish can make the space feel cocoon-like and restful.
Our Recommendations: Tranquil Pools (BB 5078), Pond Bottom (BG 6135), and Lavender Blush (PP 4125) can help you turn your bedroom into a sanctuary of your own.
3. Kitchen and Dining Area
The kitchen is the heart of the home, and its colours should reflect warmth and liveliness. Reds and yellows stimulate appetite, making them great for dining areas, while white and pastels like mint or powder blue keep the kitchen feeling airy.
For a more modern and elegant look, a two-tone wall technique where you pair a light upper half with a bolder lower section can create contrast without overpowering the space.
Our Recommendations: Create a two-toned wall in your kitchen with colours such as Powder Blue (BB 5009) and Red Carpet (RR 3095) to give your dining area a pop of colour.
4. Study Room/Home Office
A workspace should promote focus without feeling overwhelming. Green reduces eye strain and encourages balance, while blue tones are linked to concentration and efficiency. If you want warmth without distraction, opt for terracotta or muted coral in an accent wall.
To avoid a monotonous look, geometric patterns or a chalkboard paint section can add a creative yet functional element to the space.
Our Recommendations: A geometric patterned wall in Mouthful Of Sky (BB 5019) and Baked Terracotta (NN 9180) will help build focus.
5. Bathroom and Spa Spaces
A bathroom should feel fresh and relaxing. Soft greys and whites create a minimalist, clean look, while aqua and seafoam shades bring spa-like tranquillity. Bathroom colour psychology suggests that water-inspired hues help with relaxation. For an elegant feel, Venetian plaster or subtle metallic finishes can add depth and light reflection, making the space feel luxurious yet soothing.
Our Recommendations: For a relaxed space, consider using subtle shades such as Soft Material (NN 9576) and River Rapids (WW 0001).
Combining Colours for a Balanced Home Ambience
Ready with your colours? Now comes the tricky part: creating a cohesive yet ethereal look to your room with your choice of paints. One thing to always remember is that a well-designed home isn’t just about selecting colours but about ensuring they work well together. Here is how you can achieve cohesion without giving up your creative freedom.
The 60-30-10 Rule in Colour Design
The 60-30-10 rule is a simple yet effective guideline for interior design. Here is a simple breakdown,
1. 60% of the space consists of a dominant colour
2. 30% features a secondary shade
3. 10% includes an accent tone
This approach ensures that no single colour overpowers the space. For example, a living room with beige walls, deep blue furniture, and mustard yellow cushions achieves a balanced and appealing look without feeling overwhelming.
Contrast vs. Monochrome: What Works Best?
Contrasting colours create energy and visual interest. Pairing navy with mustard, deep green with blush pink, or black with white adds a bold and dynamic effect. A high-contrast palette works well in spaces meant to feel lively and engaging.
On the other hand, monochrome palettes, which use different shades of a single colour, bring a sense of elegance and harmony. A bedroom with variations of blue, from powder blue walls to navy upholstery, creates a seamless and calming atmosphere. Colours and mood psychology play a key role in determining whether contrast or monochrome suits a particular space.
Textures and Finishes in Colour Psychology
Finishes and textures influence the perception of colour. Matte finishes soften colours, making them ideal for creating a warm and relaxed setting in bedrooms and lounges. Glossy finishes reflect light and intensify shades, which works well in kitchens and bathrooms.
Textured walls, such as stucco, exposed brick, or patterned wallpaper, add depth and dimension. Choosing the right finish complements the room's colour psychology and enhances the overall effect of the design.
Colouring Your Home with Psychological Insight
Every colour in a home tells a story. From uplifting tones that energise to muted hues that bring calm, colour psychology in design shapes how a space feels and functions. The right choices can make a home feel spacious, cosy, vibrant, or serene. Any space can reflect personality and enhance daily living by experimenting with room colour psychology, textures, and finishes.
You can use tools such as Opus Visualizer and Colour Quiz to experiment with different colours. And when you're ready to take the next step, trust PaintCraft’s expert consultations to guide you through every detail, ensuring your paint choices are executed flawlessly.
Sign up for our colour letter
Get vibrant ideas, expert decor tips, and colour trends to keep you updated
Popular searches
Back to Select colour
Step
Selected colour
2 Select quantity for "The clouds have shape"
Item added to cart
Terms and Conditions
This Website/ App is owned by Grasim Industries Limited, Birla Paints division (“Grasim”).
“we” / “us” / “our” means Grasim Industries Limited (Grasim)
“You” or “your” means any person who visits our Website/ App.
Please read these Terms and Conditions of use carefully before using this Website/App. The Terms and Conditions set forth below (the "Terms") as well as those contained in the Privacy Policy of the Website/App governs your use of the Website/App and are legally binding on you. If you do not agree to all of these Terms or Privacy Policy, do not use access or otherwise this Website/App or any information contained on the Website/ App.
Your use of the Website/App shall be deemed to be your understanding of, and agreement, to each of the Terms set forth herein. Grasim may revise and update these Terms from time to time. Your continued usage of the Website/App shall be considered as an implied acceptance/deemed consent to abide by these Terms for usage of this Website/App.
Privacy Policies
1. PURPOSE
Thank you for visiting our Website/ App. This Website/ App is owned by Grasim Industries Limited, Birla Paints division (“Grasim”). This Privacy Policy is designed to tell you about our practices regarding collection, use, and disclosure of information that you may provide via this Website/ App. Grasim is committed to protecting the privacy of every individual who installs and/or uses the Website/App. We have adopted the following Privacy Policy, which sets out the basis on which any personal data we collect from you, or that you provide to us, will be handled and dealt by us through your use of the Website/App. Please be sure to read this entire Privacy Policy before using, or submitting any information, to this Website/App, which is intended for use by residents of India.
2. SCOPE OF APPLICATION
- This policy will be applicable to all personally identifiable information that you provide to Grasim while visiting or using the Website/App. This Website/App contains links to other Apps. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of such other Apps. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our Website/App and to read the privacy statements of any other App that collects personally identifiable information.
- Grasim expressly reserves the right to change this Privacy Policy periodically in future which will be exercised at its sole discretion, and at such intervals of it choosing the right without prior notice to the users. User shall review our Privacy Policy available at the Website/App regularly to be sure you are fully updated with our current practices and procedures in this area. Your continued use of the Website/App will be subject to the then-current Privacy Policy.
- The following discloses our information gathering and dissemination practices for the Website/App:
- Overview: As part of the normal operation of the Website/App, we collect and, in some cases, may disclose personally identifiable information about you. This Privacy Policy describes the personally identifiable information we collect about you and what may happen to that information.
- By accepting this Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use, you expressly consent to collect, store, delete, use, combine and disclose your personally identifiable information in the manner prescribed in this Privacy Policy. This Privacy Policy is incorporated into and is subject to the conditions of the Terms of Use and governs all use of the Website/App by You.
- We may collect your name, address, email address, telephone number, location data and other personally identifiable information you submit on the Website/App. Such personally identifiable information will not be posted in areas of the Website/App viewable by the public or users of the Website/App. Location data is collected for the purpose of enabling real-time surveyor allocation and improving operational efficiency in assigning site visits.
- By using this Website/App, you agree with the terms of this Privacy Policy. Whenever you submit information via this Website/App or through any other mode, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of that information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.
3. DATA GATHERING
Collection of Information: We may collect information that you share with us through your use of our Website/App, for example by:
- E-mailing or writing to us using the contact details posted on our Website/App; or
- Submitting other enquiries.
4. OUR USE OF YOUR INFORMATION
Our primary goal in collecting personally identifiable information is to provide you with a smooth, efficient and customized experience. This allows us to provide services and features that are most likely to meet your needs, and to customize the Website/App and our services to make your experience easier. We may use the information we collect from you to provide you with information and services that you request from us. We use personally identifiable information in the files we maintain about you, and the other personally identifiable information we obtain from your current and past activities on the Website/App to provide you with services.
4.1. Our Disclosure of Your Information
- Due to the existing regulatory environment, we cannot ensure that all of your private communications and other personally identifiable information will never be disclosed in ways not otherwise described in this Privacy Policy. By way of example (without limiting the foregoing), we may be required to disclose personally identifiable information to the government, law enforcement agencies, or third parties under certain circumstances; third parties may unlawfully intercept or access transmissions or private communications; or users or authorized users may independently abuse or misuse your information that they collect from the Website/App in violation of our Website/App’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Therefore, although we use industry standard information security practices to protect your privacy, we do not promise, and you should not expect, that your personally identifiable information or private communications will always remain private.
- As a matter of policy, we do not sell or rent any personally identifiable information about you to any third party. However, the following describes some of the ways that your personally identifiable information may be disclosed.
- Other Corporate Entities: We may sometimes share data with our affiliates, associates, subsidiaries, joint ventures, group entities, and third-party service providers that provide us with services and/or provide you with services. To the extent that these entities have access to your personally identifiable information, we will ask them to treat it at least as protectively as they treat personally identifiable information they obtain from their other authorized users or members. Our affiliates, subsidiaries, and joint ventures will follow privacy practices no less protective of all authorized users and members than our practices described in this document, to the extent allowed by applicable law. It is possible that Grasim, its subsidiaries, associates, affiliates, joint ventures or any combination of such, could merge with or be acquired by another business entity. Should such a combination occur, you should expect that Grasim would share some or all of your personally identifiable information in order to continue to maintain and provide access to the Website/App.
- Legal Requests: Grasim co-operates with law enforcement inquiries, as well as other third parties to enforce laws relating to matters, such as intellectual property rights, fraud and other rights. We can (and you authorise us to) disclose any personally identifiable information about you to law enforcement and other government officials as we, in our sole discretion, believe reasonably necessary or appropriate, in connection with any investigation.
4.2. Changing Your Personally Identifiable Information
In case you request to remove your personally identifiable information from our records, we will retain such information in our files and databases, in order to use it in some unavoidable circumstances, such as to resolve disputes, troubleshoot problems, and enforce our terms and conditions. Further, such prior personally identifiable information is never completely removed from our databases due to technical and legal constraints, including stored "back up" systems. Therefore, you should not expect that all of your personally identifiable information will be completely removed from our databases in response to your requests.
6. SECURITY
Grasim will use reasonable security measures to safeguard the confidentiality of your personal identifiable information. Although we will put our best efforts to protect your personal data, we cannot guarantee the security of your data transmitted to our Website/ App; any transmission is at your own risk. Once we have received your information, we will use strict procedures and security features which are appropriate to the type of personal information you have provided to try to prevent unauthorised access or inadvertent disclosure. However, you agree and acknowledge that "perfect security" does not exist on the Internet.
7. CHANGES TO OUR PRIVACY POLICY
We reserve the right to change, suspend, or discontinue any aspect of the Website/ App at any time. Any modifications we may make to our privacy policy in the future will be posted on this page. Continued use of the Website/App will signify that you agree to any such modifications.
8. LEGAL DISCLAIMER
This is the official Website/ App of Grasim Industries Limited and provides general information about Grasim Industries Limited. The information and content are based on the laws applicable in India. While efforts are made to keep the information on this Website/App accurate and timely, Grasim does not guarantee or endorse the content, accuracy or completeness of the information, text, graphics, hyperlinks and other items contained herein or on any other server. This Website/ App and the materials, information, and references to services and products if any herein, including without limitations, text, graphics and links, are provided "as is" without representations or warranties of any kind, whether express or implied. To the fullest extent permissible, Grasim disclaims any warranties, express and/or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement, freedom from computer virus and warranties arising from course of dealing or course of performance. Grasim does not represent or warrant that the functions contained in the Website/ App will be uninterrupted or error free, that defects will be corrected or that the Website/App or the server that makes the Website/App available are free of viruses or other harmful components. Grasim does not make any warranties or representations regarding the use of the materials in the Website/App in terms of their completeness, correctness, accuracy, adequacy, usefulness, timeliness, reliability or otherwise. Users, shall always keep indemnified, defend and hold Grasim, its affiliates, and their respective officers, directors, employees and agents harmless, from and against any claims, demands, causes of action, debts or liability, costs and expenses, including, without limitation, attorney's fees, based upon or relating to a third party claim against Grasim arising from any action or inaction of User or for any liability or expense-due to claims for personal injury or damage to property arising out of the fault or negligence of the User. Grasim is not responsible for any special, indirect, incidental or consequential damages that may arise from the use of or the inability to use, the Website/App and/or the materials contained on the Website/App irrespective of whether the materials contained on the Website/App are provided by Grasim. The contents of this Website/App are subject to change without notice. Commercial use of any of the contents of this Website/App in any manner is prohibited without prior written permission from an authorised person. No reproduction of any part of the Website/App may be sold or distributed for commercial gain nor shall it be modified or incorporated in any other work, publication or Website/App, whether in hardcopy or electronic format, including postings to any other App. Grasim reserves all other rights. No information on this Website/App shall constitute an invitation to invest in the listed companies belonging to the “Aditya Birla Group” conglomerate. Neither Grasim nor the entities belonging to the “Aditya Birla Group” conglomerate, nor their respective officers, employees or agents shall be liable for any loss, damage or expense arising out of any access to or use of this Website/App or any App linked to it, including, without limitation, any loss or profit, loss of business, loss of use, indirect, incidental or consequential loss. By viewing this Website/App you are deemed to agree to jurisdiction of the courts at Mumbai, India in respect of any action arising therefrom or related thereto.
If you have any questions about this Policy or other privacy concerns, you can also email us at legal.birlapaints@adityabirla.com
August 2023
9. Customer Consent
By agreeing to this privacy policy, you agree to receive promotional messages, offers, and updates from the Company via SMS, RCS (Rich communications message service), WhatsApp, etc.
GRASIM INDUSTRIES LIMITED, Birla Paints division
9th floor, Birla Centurion, Century Mills Compound, Pandurang Budhkar Marg, Worli, Mumbai– 400030, Maharashtra, India.
Registered Office:
Birlagram, Nagda- 456 331 (M.P.) Tel: (07366) 246760-66, Fax: (07366) 244114, 246024, CIN: L17124MP1947PLC000410
Allwood Contractor App Helpdesk
Call: 1800 120 1234, Monday to Saturday, 09:30 am – 6:30 pm (Except Public Holidays).
Product Warranty
Terms and Conditions for product warranty registration of Birla Opus products
The Warranty shall be effective from the date of purchase of the Product as per the tax invoice (“Warranty Start Date”), provided that painting work is fully complete, and the Consumer registers the Product for warranty.
The Product must be registered within 15 days from the date of purchase by calling customer care at 18001201234 or registering on www.birlaopus.com and furnishing purchase details as required during the Warranty registration.
The Warranty shall be valid for parameters and period as defined in the respective product warranty document (‘Warranty Period’) from the Warranty Start Date.
Upon settlement of any claim, Warranty of replaced Product will not start afresh, and will continue for the remainder of the Warranty Period from the Warranty Start Date.
If there is a break/ lag in completing the painting work, the registration of the Warranty and Warranty Start Date will be determined by the Company at its sole discretion.
The Company may appoint a person to examine and confirm the application of the Product as per the directions specified prior to registering the Warranty.
For registering of Warranty, where quantity of Product purchase is equal to or more than 200 litres, please call our Helpline on 1800 120 1234 with requisite details. The registration of Warranty in such cases is subject to a satisfactory pre‐inspection at site by Company’s representative.
- For the warranty to be applicable:
- Minimum volume of the product required to be purchased needs to be met
- Birla Opus recommended system needs to be used
- Product coverage and application guidelines need to be adhered
For more details, please refer to respective product specific warranty document and product information sheet.
Consumer may raise a claim within 30 days of discovering issue(s) noticed on the affected areas based on Warranty Parameters/ scope
The Consumer is required to notify the Company of the issue(s) noticed along with the invoice details, sample pictures and basis for Warranty invocation by contacting the customer care at 1800 120 1234. The Consumer shall provide such additional details as required by the Company and/or allow the Company to visit/inspect the painting site either in portion or entirety at the Company’s discretion.
In case where the Company decides that the Warranty is applicable on the issue(s) noticed on the affected areas, the Company shall bear the Replacements Costs as detailed in respective product warranty document to repair/ repaint the affected areas.
Replacement Costs shall mean the cost of material and labour required to correct the affected portions, as determined by the Company.
In case where the Company decides that Warranty is not applicable, the same shall be communicated to the Consumer.
Warranty is applicable only to the affected area where the Product is used in accordance with application guidelines and not to the rest of the areas.
In case the Consumer carries out repair works on the areas covered under the Warranty, the same shall be at their own risk and the Company’s Warranty on the Product shall not be valid on such repaired areas.
The Warranty will cover only manufacturing defects of the Product and will not cover any defects arising out of factors not in control of the Company. For more details of exclusions, please refer to the warranty document of respective product.
Except expressly stated, the Company disclaims any liabilities whether in contract, tort or otherwise. The Company makes no warranty regarding merchantability or fitness of products for any particular purpose.
The Company shall not be held liable towards loss or damages of incidental, indirect or consequential nature or for any value more than the tax invoice value.
In case of any disputes, exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Mumbai shall apply. Governing laws shall be Laws of India.
The facts and all matters concerning any Warranty/ claim/ dispute will always be kept confidential by both the Consumer and the Company.