How Colour Changes the Way We Feel in a Space

A little psychology, a lot of design magic

Have you ever walked into a room and felt oddly calm… or weirdly on edge?Maybe your shoulders relaxed. Or maybe you suddenly wanted to run for the hills (or at least to the balcony).

Chances are, it wasn’t the layout or the furniture or even the lighting. It was the colour.

Yes, colour doesn’t just decorate a space, it directs how we feel in it.

This post is part of the Psychology of Space series, where we explore how spaces shape us right back. Today, let’s explore how colour affects our mood, behaviour, and even our perception of space itself.

Warm Shades: The Extroverts of the Colour Wheel

Think terracotta, mustard, burnt orange, spicy reds, sunny ochres.These are the shades that walk into a room and instantly start conversations.

Warm tones are energisers. They’re bold, social, and full of personality. They make spaces feel more intimate—like everything’s closer, cozier, more alive.

Which is why they work beautifully in areas where you want buzz:Living rooms, dining zones, home offices, art studios—anywhere you need that extra spark.

But here’s a gentle warning: too much warmth in a small or low-lit room can feel like the walls are closing in on you. It’s a fine line between cozy and crowded. Use them mindfully, maybe as accents or layered with neutrals.

Cool Tones: The Introverts That Calm You Down

Now picture sage green, soft grey, muted lilac, pale blue. These colours are your gentle exhale after a long day. They add a quiet sense of ease.

Cool tones create visual distance. They open up a space, stretch it, give it room to breathe. That’s why they work so well in more private or focused areas— Bedrooms, reading corners, study nooks, meditation spots.

They also reduce sensory overload. So if you’re someone who needs calm to function (hello, overthinkers), these shades will become your best friend.

But Wait—There’s More.

Colour doesn’t just impact mood. It literally changes how big or small a room feels.

Warm colours pull the walls inward, making a room feel smaller and more intimate. Cool tones push them outward, making everything feel a little more open, more spacious.

So yes, your paint swatch might be the reason your room feels like a hug or a shoebox.

So, How Do You Pick?

Here’s the real design tip:

Start with the feeling. Then let the colour follow.

Do you want the room to feel energised or restful? Bold or breezy? Creative or contemplative? Your emotional goal becomes your colour direction.

Because colour is more than just style— It’s psychology in pigment form.

PS: If you’ve ever repainted your walls and suddenly started sleeping better or focusing more, now you know why. It wasn’t just you. It was science with a brush.

So now you know—colour doesn’t just set the mood, it quietly reshapes the space around you.

But want to know what’s really playing tricks on your mind?

Look up.

In the next post, we’re exploring how ceiling height can shape your thoughts without you even noticing. Why do high ceilings spark creativity? Why do low ones make us zoom in? And what happens when they get too low?

Head over to the first post in the Psychology of Space series: “How Ceilings Influence the Way We Think and Feel.” Trust me, your fifth wall has been getting away with a lot.