We are all drawn to certain colours. Yet we don’t all relate to the same colours in the same way. Our personal preferences, past experiences and upbringing, and even our gender (men and women see the colours in the middle of the spectrum differently) can influence how we perceive colour.

Colour Psychology is the study of how colour relates to our emotions. We can use this information in our homes to help choose the right paint, upholstery and accessories to create the exact feelings we want.

The field of studying how colour affects us is pretty in depth, so we are just going to touch the surface, for a fun look at how colour can touch our emotions. Maybe you will learn something you can use in your next home decorating project.

For this blog, three of our staff members have given their input on how they perceive colours. Each of them has a different background and different expertise that influence how they perceive each of these colours. Let’s meet the team.

Janet: Janet is the Furniture Stylist for our Peterborough location and also does some of the accessory buying for the stores. She is also a certified Interior Decorator. Janet joined the Bennett’s team in May 2018. She has a love for Interior Design and continually keeps up with new and ongoing trends.

Kathryn: Kathryn is the Advertising Administrator at Bennett’s, and like Janet, also has her Interior Decorating certification. Kathryn started off in the Purchasing department at Bennett’s in July 2018 before moving to advertising. She has an interest in and has previously worked in fashion as well as some Graphic Design.

Mark: Mark joined the Bennett’s team in September 2020 as our Web Administrator and Front Office Support. He is also learning more about the Advertising Department, and he takes and edits most of the product photos for our website. Before Bennett’s, Mark worked as a Hair Stylist and also previously studied Graphic Design.

A colour that represents calmness and serenity.

Janet: I see blue as a non-threatening, conservative colour. It’s traditional. It represents serenity, is orderly and stable. A cool and relaxing colour.

Kathryn: Blue is a colour that never goes out of style (and is one of my personal favourite colours). This classic colour can represent stability, imagination and inspiration. It also works well with almost style, from contemporary to traditional, farmhouse to industrial and more.

Mark: Blue is seen as a calming and serene colour. It is stable and non-threatening, promoting a tranquil and peaceful emotion. Blue can also be associated with feeling of distance or sadness.

Some colours it pairs well with: pink, orange, grey, brown.

A powerful colour that symbolizes growth, peace and security.

Janet: Optimistic. Fresh. Relaxed. Tied to nature. Certain shades can look clinical. Green has positive emotional connotations. Did you know you recall words seen in green better than other colours? Women can see a greater variance in green shades than men.

Kathryn: I recently painted my new bathroom and bedroom walls green. This colour is calming and can give your space a pop of colour without it becoming too much. It ties in so well with natural textures and colours as green itself can be found everywhere you look in nature.

Mark: Green is generally associated with nature. Being around nature helps me feel grounded and a connection to the earth. Green is said to have calming, soothing and overall healthy feelings.

Some colours it pairs well with: brown, pink, white, burnt orange.

This attention-seeking colour is very energetic.

Janet: Thought of as a cheerful colour, yellow can sometimes be too energetic. It creates frustration and can cause babies to cry more. On the plus side, it increases metabolism.

Kathryn: This sunny colour is a great way to bring a sense of energy and happiness into your space. It can easily bring you from spring to fall. Pair it with black for an industrial look or blue for a more contemporary look.

Mark: Yellow is a colour that evokes joy and happiness, but too much of a good thing can also lead to feelings of the opposite. Like everything in life, yellow is best used in moderation so that it doesn’t become overwhelming.

Some colours it pairs well with: blue, brown, black, green.

A warm colour that represents excitement and enthusiasm.

Janet: Orange creates a feeling of warmth. It is friendly and energetic, but in a more pleasing way than yellow. It increases appetite (so great for a dining room where you welcome guests).

Kathryn: When I think of orange, I think of mid-century modern. Yes, this colour can be part of almost any design style, but it was a staple colour for this particular style. Pair it with browns and golds to embrace it.

Mark: Orange creates feelings of energy and motivation. It is found in fruits and vegetables giving us the idea of nourishment. Orange is also said to create/encourage hunger. Which is why you will find this colour used often by restaurants and fast-food chains.

Some colours it pairs well with: brown, burgundy, blue, white.

A passionate colour that can symbolize aggression and passion.

Janet: This warm colour can cause a range of feelings from comfort to hostility. It is the colour of passion, so no surprise then that it increases “amorous” feelings.

Kathryn: This fiery colour is a great accent colour! It is one of those colours that I love seeing on exterior doors. There are so many different shades of red that can be used to evoke different emotions and give your home different feels. For many years, burgundy has been popular in both home and fashion.

Mark: Red is a strong and passionate colour. In the past it has been used by royalty and members of power for clothing. It is also meant to bring fortune and prosperity.

Some colours it pairs well with: navy, white, green, beige.

Representing love, kindness and femininity.

Janet: Pink calms and supports emotionally and energetically creates physical weakness. For a while some American police stations were painting their holding cells a pink colour to help the inmates settle down, and noted less violent outbursts.

Kathryn: This colour has been in style for years and isn’t going anywhere. While many may think of this as a feminine (or girly) colour, we’ve been seeing it cross the gender lines more and more, and rightfully so! Pink is a fun and energetic colour to infuse into your home.

Mark: In the past, pink has been associated with femininity. However, as we progressed, pink can be worn and is loved by all. Pink can bring feelings of protection, love, innocence and tenderness. Its bright and its cheery.

Some colours it pairs well with: green, blue, grey, black.

See how Janet and Kathryn styled millennial pink in this previous blog.

This royal colour symbolizes power, nobility and wisdom.

Janet: Tied to royalty this colour denotes creativity. Lighter shades promote a very soothing response.

Kathryn: Purple is a calmer colour, no matter what shade you use. Darker shades are statelier and more royal, while a lighter shade like lilac is more youthful and is very popular right now.

Mark: Purple is also associated with wealth and royalty. In the past this dye was really difficult to get one’s hands on. It took a lot of time and money to create this colour. Purple is also associated with wisdom and spirituality.

Some colours it pairs well with: pink, orange, white, gold.

A reliable and stable neutral.

Janet: Brown denotes strength and reliability, but can bring on feelings of loneliness and sadness.

Kathryn: A classic neutral. Brown is found in almost any home that has wood floors or features. It is also very popular in leathers for both home and fashion.

Mark: Brown is often associated with the earth. Resilient, dependable and safe. Creates a feeling of warmth, comfort and security.

Some colours it pairs well with: blue, green, orange, red.

Mysterious, sophisticated, powerful and elegant.

Janet: The colour of mystery and power. Black helps colour to be seen as true through its contrast. Too much can evoke sadness and anger.

Kathryn: Black is a strong colour, but also one you can pair pretty much anything with. There are so many colours and patterns that will pop against black, but it can also stand on its own. That is probably why black has been so popular in home and fashion for so many years.

Mark: Mystery, power, elegance and sophistication come to mind when I think of black. Although, not technically a colour... it is by far my favourite when it comes to fashion.

Some colours it pairs well with: white, pink, grey, green.

A pure and innocent shade that conveys simplicity and cleanliness.

Janet: White can create a sense of space or airiness. However, it can also make the space look cold and sterile. Depending on the religious background of the viewer, it may connotate purity and cleanliness, or death and mourning.

Kathryn: White goes with absolutely everything. I’m sure you’ve heard the saying “no white after labour day” but that saying is simply not true. White is a great base and one that is incredibly popular in home decor. Get a white sofa and you can put any toss cushion with it. You can even change it up by season!

Mark: White promotes the feeling of cleanliness, freshness and simplicity. I have always loved a white room. It is the perfect backdrop to bring in more colour and texture through the use of throw pillows and blankets, and of course all of the house plants!

Some colours it pairs well with: blue, red, black, grey.

A shade that represents neutrality and balance.

Janet: Grey is used by many to achieve neutrality and balance, but the absence of colour can potentially look dull. Grey can cause feelings of loss and depression, and it can be unsettling if used too much.

Kathryn: This is my favourite neutral. I love that you can find greys with almost any colour as an undertone, meaning greys can be cool and/or warm. In my mind, grey is a great colour to paint your main living spaces. That way you can bring in almost any colour furniture and it will pair perfectly. It also allows you to change up your decor every once in a while.

Mark: Grey to me is the perfect neutral. It plays the supporting role for so many other colours. It is neither here nor there, impartial and non-offensive. I personally love how many variations you can find in greyscale, from bright and happy to deep and powerful.

Some colours it pairs well with: green, pink, white, yellow.

We would love to hear what your favourite colours are and how they make you feel. Here are ours:

Janet: I love teals and turquoise. I find them clean, and calm. They evoke feelings of order and relaxation to me, which are some things I crave.

Kathryn: Blues of almost any shade are my go to’s for pops of colour in a home. It brings a sense of home and makes a space feel like me. I even painted my old bathroom vanity blue (and I miss it now that I’ve moved!).

Mark: For me, it has to be greens. I feel a very high connection with the earth and a small obsession with house plants. When in nature we are surrounded by negative ions which promote the feeling of health, wellbeing and relaxation. I love to see all the different variations of this colour and love the feeling of bringing the outside in.