Those breezy summer afternoons have nestled in the memory and Christmas still feels
comfortably out of range. But the best thing about this corner of autumn? The colours.
At no other time of year will walks to work bring audible gasps of, ‘Crumbs, that’s pretty!’ Trees
become canvasses. Pavements become Jackson Pollock paintings. And the sky shimmers with
flecks of rose gold. I like to think of it as nature’s little sweetener before handing us four months
of winter.
But these colours don’t just look good. They do good too.
Autumn’s gorgeous palette can have some profound psychological effects. These
blink-and-you-miss-them colours can change our mood, feelings and behaviours. They can
make us feel happy, sad, relaxed, impassioned. And the good news is we can employ these
colours to work their magic on us all year round.
Here are just some of the amazing things the colours of autumn can do. And a few ways you
can use them too.
Why do colours affect our mood?
‘Colours, like features, follow the changes of the emotions.’
So said one Pablo Picasso. And a century on from Mr P, colour psychology has turned into big
business. Nowadays, designers, marketers and artists all use colour as a way of invoking strong
emotional responses.
But research shows that our reactions to colours are incredibly personal. When presented with
certain shades, no two people will respond in the same way. In fact, our perception of colour
varies greatly depending on our upbringing, geography and cultural influences.
Take the colour white. For most of us in the UK, white is the colour of purity and innocence.
Think of a dove or East 17 in the Stay Another Day video. Ok, maybe not. But in Chinese
culture, white is the colour of mourning. So depending on where you’re from, white may invoke
sadness, hope or memories of a dodgy Christmas do.
So how do the colours of Autumn affect us? And how can we use them for good?
Red
I love the fiery reds of maple trees. Of all the shades of autumn, there’s nothing more
eye-catching. And red has quite a powerful force on our psyche.
Of all the colours, red the most dynamic. It can push and pull our emotions in different
directions. While we often see it as the colour of love and passion, it can also signify danger. In
fact, some studies have even shown that red can increase our heart rate through excitement or
fear.
So how can you bring this powerful colour into your home? Well, my advice would be to use it
sparingly. Red has been known to boost the appetite so why not create a statement wall in your
dining room? Or for something a little more subtle, add a splash of colour to your tableware.
Red is perfect for entertaining spaces too. After all, its natural energy is great for stimulating
conversation. So season your living room with colourful touches like cushions, artwork or
candles.
Orange
For me, orange is the quintessential colour of autumn. I love the last warm hue of grand
deciduous trees. And it can do wonderful things for our mood.
Its natural warmth can make us feel energised and enthusiastic. Think of hazy sunshine or juicy
tropical fruits. Orange is the colour of creativity, determination, attraction and comfort.
But because orange is so distinctive, a lot of people can be put off using it. Just like Marmite,
you either love it or you hate it. But by bringing it into your home decor can add warmth,
character and cosiness to any space.
Use deeper shades in high traffic spaces like hallways and kitchens to make them instantly
more inviting. Or try a more citrusy tone in neutral spaces for a touch of the unexpected. It pairs
brilliantly with greys and whites so it’s great for colourful accents.
Yellow
Autumn gives us those fabulous golden yellows that are so rare to find. I love the in-betweeny
shades of golden-green you find on big leaf maple trees. And it can be a force for good in our
homes too.
The most energetic of the warm colours, yellow can make us feel happy and spontaneous. But it
can also invoke a feeling of freshness and optimism. So if you’re after gift ideas, yellow is a
great place to start.
But using it in the home can be tricky. Another opinion divider, yellow is seen by many as
childish but it’s a brilliant colour for adding freshness to stale spaces. Add a hint of yellow to
your entranceway to make your home extra inviting. Or if a room is short on natural light, yellow
is a great way of adding a little sunshine.
I love statement pieces like sofas and armchairs but if you’re after something a little more
discreet, try adding a little gold to your kitchenware and accessories. It’s a great attention
grabber.
Grey
As soon as the clocks go back, it feels as though all we ever see is grey. But there’s something
oddly comforting about a dreary November sky.
And even though we may reach for warm colours to brighten up the chilly nights, grey can do
brilliant things at this time of year. It’s sophisticated, balanced and effortlessly simple. And
adding it to your decor can make you feel in control of your home.
The best part is, it goes with pretty much anything. Add it to your kitchen appliances for a hint of
sophistication or add accents to your living space for some Scandi chic. Its neutrality means it’s
perfect for guys and girls while its modern feel makes it great for new home gifts.
Pictures: Tealight holder, vase, minimalist space.
So give it a go. Dip your brush in Autumn’s colours and see just how powerful they can be.
Lexi x
