It’s that time of the year again. The nights are getting longer and the days are shorter and darker the closer we get to winter. As much as we love autumn and its gorgeous colour palette (plus cosy nights in binge-watching our favourite comfort Netflix series), this season can bring a tricky time for those of us affected by the so-called ‘winter blues’.
‘Winter blues’, or officially known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), is a common mental health condition that every 1 in 14 people have. The shorter days and less sunlight during the colder months can have a big impact on our mood, as well as lower our energy levels and desire to go out, socialise and generally find sources that are rich in the oh-so-desired hormone Serotonin.
So, what can we do to beat the winter blues? Well, one thing that would definitely help boost our mood and general wellbeing is definitely the improvement of our surroundings, specifically our home (think of the bedroom and living room in particular) as this is where we’re spending most of our time during autumn and winter. Adding colour to those spaces can have an incredible impact on our mental health, and we’re here to help you choose the right shades for you and the colour combinations that will inject some positivity in your home.
Where to start? Pick colours that mimic the outdoors. They are the ideal ones to bring inside for your home, especially in the spaces you use frequently in the day, such as your living room, kitchen or bedroom. They will be the warmer tones on the colour wheel and the ones that will guarantee that you’ll feel like you’ve just stepped out into a summer’s day.
Now, think of the colours that you’re drawn to: how do they make you feel and do they remind you of summer? Do they make you feel uplifted and happy? If the answer is ‘yes’, then we’re definitely on the right track here, aren’t we?
The top colour in our mood-boosting list is, surprise - yellow! Yellow is the colour that represents the sun - the key thing we're all missing during autumn and winter.
The solution? Paint your space yellow, of course. Look into our Fresh Yellow and Calming Yellow paint colours - they have the positive feeling that yellow evokes, but at the same time are muted and balanced enough to not overwhelm your walls (and your brain too).
Another colour to look into is blue. But not any blue though. Our Friendly Blue and Serene Blue shades are perfect as they bring a sense of calmness and remind us of the beautiful blue skies in the summer... and who doesn't love that?
Pro tip: paint your ceiling in a gentle blue colour. You'll thank us later.
Strictly a neutral fan? Worry not: we've got a sunny neutral colour selection for you too. Look no further than our Passionate Warm White and Calming Neutral paint colours. Mimicking the colour of the clouds, a softer warm neutral can be incredibly uplifting and peaceful, especially for your bedroom.
Pro tip: stay away from pure, stark white as it will make your space look colder and unwelcoming during the dark seasons.
Wondering what colours to avoid when struggling with SAD? We've got a list with those too.
Any type of grey or crisp, bright white colours will add even more cold tones to your space, while the ultimate goal for the darker months is, in fact, to bring warmth into your home. Same applies to cooler blue shades, so if blue is your go-to colour, make sure the paint you pick has warm undertones to it - they will absorb the natural light coming through the windows and spread it across the room like a warm hug.