Deciding on a colour palette for a room can seem like a daunting task. Anyone who has undertaken it can relate to the experience of standing in front of a colour wall overwhelmed with choice – then leaving to realise the colour chips selected look very different when out of the florescent store lighting. Whether you are designing a space for a client, or trying to match an existing colour, here’s how to help ease your colour swatch pains with our colour swatching tips and tricks.

Come up with a plan

First things first, narrow down your colour short list before going to get your swatches. Having a plan will help reduce any confusion at the store. If you know the rough colour you want and just need to decide on the shade, start by considering how much natural light the space has, as this will help dictate the perfect shade for your room.

Take options

Give yourself some breathing space with a variety of shades, so you can nail your choice on your first trip to your local paint shop. This is especially helpful when you know which colour you want but are narrowing down the shade and tone. Visualising the different swatches against your wall will help streamline the decision process.

Create your own colour

Have a colour in mind but can’t seem to find an exact match? Whether you have found the perfect colour in a painting, coffee mug or a cushion, take that colour into your local paint shop to do a colour match.

Colour swatches in any light

Struggling to see how a swatch will look in different lighting? Use the test pot to see for yourself how a colour will dry and look in your space’s lighting. If you don’t want to swatch directly onto your desired wall, you can paint on a piece of white paper. Trying out colours in your space at different times of the day and night will ensure you like the colour you are considering in all lights.

Sleep is a critical factor in maintaining our physical and mental well-being, so trying to optimise our sleeping environment is always a good idea. When designing the look and feel of your bedroom, you may jump at certain colours and shades based purely on their aesthetic appeal. While there is zero shame in doing this, if you are someone who struggles with getting to sleep, some colours can help you relax.

Don’t have time to study colour psychology in depth? Don’t worry because here’s a quick guide to which colours to use for your best night’s sleep.

Blue

The best colour you can use for your bedroom is blue. A range of studies has listed blue as the most calming colour due to its soothing effects on your heart rate and blood pressure. How does blue do this? Our eyes contain specialised receptors called ganglion cells that are most sensitive to the colour blue. These cells filter and send information to the part of our brain that controls your body’s 24-hour rhythm. A recent study of 2000 Travelodge hotels found that guests who woke up in blue rooms got the highest amount of uninterrupted sleep, compared to other colours at 7 hours and 52 minutes. This is impressive considering the average person rarely gets 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep.

While all shades of blue can evoke a relaxing mood, if you want to give the appearance of a larger room, opt for lighter shades on your bedroom walls and ceilings. We recommend colours like Taubmans’ Dim Night or Formosa Blue.

Green

If getting out into nature relaxes you, why not incorporate nature’s tranquility into your bedroom colour palette? Creating a space that mimics nature is a sure way to tuck in and soothe yourself to sleep. Fresh greens are known to bring harmony to the room.

Avoid glossy paint

The sheen of your paint will play a major factor in terms of sleep quality – no matter which colour you choose. Anything that can reflect light and stimulate your sense will be a detriment to your sleep quality. An overly glossy finish can reflect light and stimulate your brain, so opt for a matte or low sheen finish instead.

Colour to avoid in the bedroom

As a rule of thumb, vibrant colours such as reds, oranges and loud pinks should be avoided in bedrooms. This is due to these energetic colours being stimulating to the eye. Some studies have shown that looking at the colour red increases your heart rate and adrenaline flow. In the wild, reds, oranges and yellows are considered dangerous colours and instinctually make us more alert when we see them – the last thing you want when you’re winding down for sleep. If you simply must have a vibrant colour, consider a more muted version.

If you’re trying to give yourself the best chance at a good night’s sleep, make sure you create a soothing retreat that isn’t overly stimulating to the eye. To create this sleep time oasis, seek out the relaxing blues, greens and matte finishes. Get creative and happy painting!

With working from home being the norm, we have the perfect guides to help you transform your space to be more effective. Whether you want to maximise productivity in your home office or set up an effective workout space in your garage, we have a few tips and tricks to transform your home spaces with colours that are designed to inspire.

Working from home has shifted from a temporary solution during the pandemic to a more permanent way of working. There has never been a better time to transform your home office into a welcoming and productive space. But what goes into setting up the ultimate home office? We break down what you can do to create your dream productive home office.

Pick your colour–

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Colour has been shown to have a significant impact on our mood and therefore our productivity when working. When selecting your new office hue, avoiding cool tones will prevent your office from feeling too clinical. If you want to take it a step further, consider the kind of work you do in your office. Highly saturated, bright colours are stimulating (perfect for creative jobs), while muted warm colours are soothing (better for jobs requiring high focus). Our top picks? Warm neutrals are a versatile way to soothe your mood, while easily complementing an array of colour palettes. We would suggest a warm grey-beige or a warm white colour. For something more eye-catching, opt for peach and soft corals. These colours are known to help improve focus and boost concentration and creativity.

Wanting something a little bolder than warm-neutrals? Highly saturated tones like jewel tones and earthy greens act as the perfect backdrop for inspiring creativity and maintaining focus.