The colours of sanity in a time of lockdown

Colour can affect us all in different ways, both physically and emotionally.

Wattyl has long been a proponent of the psychological role colour can have in our quest for calm and security.  The company shares some of its insights below.

Blues, universally recognised as peaceful, calm and gentle, have tremendous power in managing stress, says Sarah Stephenson, Wattyl colour expert.  Blue hues are soothing and help calm our minds, they reduce our heart rates, lower our blood pressure and reduce anxiety.  Deep sea blues such as Wattyl’s Denim, the soft sky blue of Kedron Blue and the beautiful aqua of Breezy Day all create a sense of tranquillity and serenity – ideal for living areas and bedrooms.

Greens have, above all, a deep connection with nature – it’s  a colour we can all relate to.  A restful and quiet colour, green symbolises renewal and hope and can diffuse anxiety, helping us to stay calm and feel refreshed.  Wattyl recommends shades of green that connect us with our environment such as the soft grey/greens of the eucalypt – Wattyl’s Sooty Owl, Cloud and Rhino are perfect examples.

Soft blush tones and muted pinks are the go-to hues for a spa-like feel that makes us want to relax and unwind.  Layered tone-on-tone these pink hues bring a harmonious and soothing ambience to a space and create a sense of optimism.   Wattyl advises care in the choice of pinks – colours such as Tombola, Bath Bubbles and Pink Caress get the balance exactly right.

Warm neutrals are always a safe and reassuring choice – they feel homely and relaxing and work especially well in a space with minimal clutter and an accent on texture in other decorative elements.  Again, balance is everything.

Wattyl cautions against choosing neutrals with too much of an undertone of pink or yellow – steer towards perfectly balanced, warm neutrals such as Wattyl Confetti Shower, Creamy Coffee and Talc.

White symbolises clarity and freshness, both of which are essential ingredients in times of stress.  White will clear minds and create a perception of ‘room to breathe’, but avoid creating an environment that is too stark as this can result in a sense of sterility and lack of emotion.  Go-to options are Wattyl Calcium, Cotton Grey and Magnesium.

Sleep is essential to a sense of wellbeing and tranquillity and deep, rich colours can help achieve this, especially in spaces used for relaxing or sleeping.  The deep forest green of Wattyl Sashimi pairs perfectly with Wattyl Midnight Seas to achieve just this – the combination of these colours will put reassuring distance between you and the outside world!