In the world of interiors, colour is everywhere right now. But how you use colour in your home can have a huge impact on your happiness and emotional wellbeing. Karen Haller, the UK’s leading Colour Psychology Expert has teamed up with Always Kalanchoe to reveal how to use colour with purpose…
“Colour defines how we are feeling, how we want to feel, and how we want people to interact with us. But we’re only 20% conscious of the colour choices we make. We’ve forgotten how to use colour with purpose.
“At home, where we are most comfortable and can truly be ourselves, giving conscious thought to colour is vital – if you surround yourself with the colours you love, you’ll instantly feel positive and at ease.
“Colour choice is a very personal thing. People are drawn to different colours for different reasons, it’s about picking the colours that reflect your personality and make you happy. Don’t be tempted to paint your living room a bright blue just because it’s the latest Instagram trend, use colours that you connect with and express how you want to feel, whether that’s bright, bold and energised or relaxed and nurtured.
“Colourful plants are an easy way to inject colour into your home. Not only can plants make your home healthier – they have been proven to improve air quality, reduce tiredness and boost concentration – but the right colours can also be an instant mood booster.
“Whether it’s purple to create a sense of peace in your favourite sunny corner, orange for a bright social kitchen, or red to give your home office an energy boost, plants are great way to inject small doses of colour to stimulate positivity at the right moments. Plus, they are affordable, so you can pick and choose colours depending on how you want to feel one day to the next!
“Flowering succulents such as Kalanchoes are a great choice – not only do they come in a huge array of colours, but they are easy to care for, undemanding, and will bloom for 10 weeks with minimal watering, perfect for busy lives. They will also live happily outside on balconies or terraces during the summer months, making them perfect for ‘inside outside’ living.”
Karen Haller’s top tips for using colour in your home
Kalanchoe (‘Flaming Katy’) houseplants are available from £2 from florists, supermarkets and garden centres nationwide. Kalanchoe care tips and inspiration can be found at www.kalanchoe.nl/en
Karen Haller’s new book, ‘The Little Book of Colour’ is out at the end of August.
All photographs credited to Always Kalanchoe.