Never underestimate what a good choice of living room colours can do for your wellbeing. Choosing colours can be a challenge, but you can start small and build to create something really personal.

Choosing a colour scheme for your living room can be a bit daunting, but it is worth some serious consideration, as colour really can affect your mood and your life.

According to colour consultant Kerry Shepherd from A Ruby Mood in Newcastle, colour choice in your living room is all important. “Good colour choices contribute not only to the aesthetic and functional attributes of your living room, but to your mental, physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing,” she says.

Where do I start looking for colour schemes?

It can sometimes be hard to know where to begin when choosing colours for living rooms. “Fashion trends can be a great source of inspiration that can be adapted to the unique characteristics of your home, lifestyle and personality,” suggests Kerry. “A new look can be as simple as creating accents with scatter cushions, rugs and accessories, or an interesting mix of textured finishes or decorative pieces.”

Essentially, a colour scheme has to begin at some point of inspiration. “With existing homes, working from the floor up is a good start, as its depth, tone, reflective surface and absorption of light will influence your colour choices, mood and direction of your colour palette,” says Kerry.

Interiors that appear disjointed or out of balance may benefit from a neutral colour scheme. “This will restore balance, harmony and alignment,” says Kerry. “Colour can then be applied as a focal element with accessories, while spaces can be linked visually using a consistent colour for trims, floor coverings or window furnishings.”

Colour schemes for the living room

When choosing living room colours, it also pays to keep in mind the positive and negative associations of different colours. While cool blues and greens are calming and relaxing, warm yellows, oranges and reds are stimulating and energising. But beware: too much or too little can turn these positives into negatives.

many people who can help you with colour choice for your living room, but while there are universal associations to colour, mood and meaning, our individual colour response is the most important. Choosing colours is personal, so follow your own preferences: “The colours that we feel comfortable and happy to be surrounded by are a great guide to positive colour solutions,”