Colour Therapy at Home

We are welcoming the energy of colours that can transform living spaces, visually and emotionally.

If colours are powerful enough to deeply affect our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual worlds, we can also use them to bring happiness into our lives and help us heal. Every colour carries a message. Some evoke peaceful, calm feelings; others suggest dynamism and vitality. This connection between colour and emotion sets a space's energy in motion. We are welcoming the energy of colours that can transform living spaces, visually and emotionally.

Colour harmonies become part of our mental, physical and spiritual lives without us noticing. Every colour we use relates closely to our spirit, body and mind, almost beginning a conversation with us. This is why we love certain colours and instinctively reach for them. At one time we may love blue, then suddenly become devoted to black. Each colour is carried to the body through its own frequency. Like the clothes we wear, the colours in our surroundings affect us physically and emotionally. When an inner protective mechanism declares “I am strong and standing firm”, everything turns black and the brain activates its defences against outside influences. This also explains the dominance of black in masculine interiors. Using colours for healing is a therapy known since ancient times. Colour therapy, also called chromotherapy, holds that certain colours stimulate energy. Using the seven colours of the rainbow, it aims to treat mind and body.

Even if we feel we must choose between quiet and bright colours at home, why not use both? Warm, luminous colours—yellow, peach and pink—direct attention outwards, increase physical activity and keep us alert, so they can be used in areas involving manual skills. Colour preferences are partly shaped by culture. Latin cultures, for example, tend to favour bright colours, while people in Scandinavian countries prefer more muted shades. In temperate regions, both approaches are used, allowing a broader perspective. Some people create a woodland impression with a green carpet and blue ceiling; others seek a cosy, cave-like or sheltered atmosphere of comfort and security. Some choose functional basics such as black and white for kitchens and bathrooms. Those drawn to natural living may prefer Mediterranean-inspired bathrooms and traditional country kitchens scented with freshly baked bread and spices.

When considering colour therapy, the people using a space and its location come first. A home or office on a busy street should use calmer colours, which also help shield it from the chaos outside. In a quiet setting, such as a mountainside, a forest or a town beyond the city, brighter colours can be used. Red and orange stimulate appetite: if you are dieting, a red placemat may make things difficult, while a black one will suppress your appetite. Too many vivid colours in a bedroom can prevent rest, so earthy tones are generally suitable. Yellow and its shades, associated with intelligence and concentration, can be used in rooms where children prepare for exams, while turquoise and its variations can help manage daily stress in the bathroom.

“Using black on the floor makes the furniture above it stand out. Metallic textures, particularly brass, chrome, copper and bronze, give spaces with black floors a striking appearance. As decorating professionals, we describe black as neutrality rather than a colour, because it pairs harmoniously with every colour, even navy blue. Matt black does not reflect light, so it can conceal or camouflage things you do not want to emphasise. It is also international: black interiors are highly regarded in Japan, have recently become popular as an alternative to white in Scandinavia and often feature in eclectic spaces. Italy, of course, never gives up black. If you want to use it, I recommend the floor, because on walls it can create an enclosing effect that makes the room smaller. We often think of it as dark and gloomy, but with warm colours it can be sophisticated and mysterious. For a more casual accent, always pair it with white or bone shades; kitchens and bathrooms are ideal places for this.” Architect Ozan Ekşi, Sem Collections

“First, we need to understand black's character. It is always strong, tough, dominant, bold, rule-challenging, risk-taking and gender-neutral. It brings the same intensity to the spaces where it is used. You cannot simply see black elsewhere and transfer it into your own interior; using it takes as much courage as the colour itself. You must be ready to challenge comments that it causes depression or darkens the room. If you overcome these arguments and remain committed, you begin with an unusually distinctive and stylish space. Its realism and refusal to hide imperfections come at the expense of practicality. It is difficult to use, yet it elevates everything placed against it. Wood stands out on a black backdrop, metals gleam and lights shine like jewels. Black has always represented confident decorating movements and eras. Known as a fundamental colour of timeless styles such as avant-garde and Art Deco, it demands principled design, excellent craftsmanship and flawless execution.” Architect Şebnem Buhara

We have long moved beyond the rule that light colours make spaces look larger and dark colours make them smaller. Just as fashion cannot abandon black, interior designers cannot replace its powerful effect. Dressing entirely in black may offer a safe, reliably elegant and distinguished look, but decorating is a little different. With a courageous, analytical eye and a feel for colour balance, you can make black the leading element in a sophisticated interior. Against a black backdrop, wood stands out, metals gleam and lights shine like jewels. Black has always represented bold decorating movements. Using the same colour in different levels of gloss helps create the right balance, while touches of grey can soften it. If you want a third colour in a black-and-white bathroom, gold and copper accents offer an ideal expression of luxury.