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Colour psychology: How do you want to feel in your bathroom?

Colour psychology: How do you want to feel in your bathroom?

The choice of colour in our bathrooms is crucial in determining how we feel in these sanctuary spaces within our homes. The first question to ask yourself when designing your future bathroom is this:

‘How do I want to feel in this space?’

Do you want to feel invigorated and enlivened, or relaxed and peaceful? Once you have established this, you should select a colour scheme that makes you feel this particular way. For example, I like to feel invigorated in a bathroom space, so the warm end of the spectrum would be my colour palette of choice since these colours make me feel enlivened and energised. Here are two examples of recent client projects that utilise warm shades of colour, both of which may have varying effects on an individual due to the difference in tones:
Client project completed in April 2024, using deep fuchsias, reds and violets

Client project completed in April 2024, using deep fuchsias, reds and violets

As you can see, the different shades of reds in these two examples would have a varying effect on one individual. Whilst the more bright tones may feel invigorating to some, they could be too intense for others. This is completely due to differing factors that make up our own unique colour preferences. 

According to Karen Haller, a leading international authority in the field of behavioural colour and design psychology, there are always 3 factors at play when you make a colour choice:

  1. Personal colour association (which may have stemmed from particular events or experiences in your life that have led to synaptic links with different shades of colour) 
  2. Cultural or Symbolic meaning (for example, in ancient Chinese culture the colour red is symbolic of prosperity and good fortune, whereas in England this hue may be linked to hope regarding the emblematic red poppy or patriotism linked to the British flag.) 
  3. Psychological meaning (both positive or negative) (specific colours are proven to have general psychological impacts within our nervous systems, like cold colours such as blue where certain shades are said to have a soothing effect.) 

Client 3D Visual, using terracottas, white and brushed brass

This, in turn, means that no singular person’s affinity to colour will be the same as the next. As a result of our different lives, cultures and experiences, our colour preferences are completely individual to each and every one of us. Whilst an ochre yellow shade may feel uplifting to someone else, it may not have the same effect on you. This is not to say that this is a ‘wrong’ colour – because there are no wrong colours – it is just the wrong shade for you. You only have to think back to the school playground to prove this, where everyone’s favourite colour would inevitably vary from one person to the next. Individuality is what makes us all so special, and we believe that this aspect of human nature should be cherished and nurtured within the design process as much as possible.

Client 3D Visual, using deep greens, browns and brushed brass

With this in mind, I strongly urge you to think carefully about your colour choices – not in any respect to what others may think, but in respect to how it will make you feel. Following trends may seem like a good idea at the time, but in reality your bathroom is a space where you will spend a lot of time every day, and is often where you carry out routines as soon as you wake up and just before you go to sleep. It is a space to call your own. Therefore, it is important that you feel as faithful to yourself as possible within this room. Here at Quarrybank Boutique, we believe that choosing colours which best represent your authentic self will ultimately lead to true fulfillment from your unique bathroom, and we encourage our clients to choose based on these premises. 

Head into our showroom in the heart of Wilmslow for a consultation today and we will turn your colourful visions into a reality! 

Lots of Love, 

Georgia x 

Client Project completed in May 2024, using blues, greens, white and brushed brass

Recommended reading & listening: 

Karen Haller, ‘The little book of colour’. https://thelittlebookofcolour.com/ 

Karren Haller, ‘10 Myths that Limit You Using Colour’, Free E-book. https://karenhaller.com/free-10-myths-ebook/. 

Dr Vien Cheung, ‘Colour: It’s influence and impact on the way we live’. https://spotlight.leeds.ac.uk/world-changers/colour/ 

The Great Indoors Podcast, Sophie Robinson and Kate Watson-Smyth with guest Karen Haller. ‘Discovering your authentic colour pallette’ https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/discovering-your-authentic colour-palette-with-karen/id1437834171?i=1000643743183