Science Behind Colours:
Now that summer is here, choosing a paint colour means bringing balance to warm afternoons and having a cool mind. Before we explore the 5 summer paint colours to cool your home, let’s understand it’s science. When Isaac Newton first demonstrated the nature of light, we learned white light is a mixture of colours. Meanwhile, white is not a colour of light, but rather colourless as seen from the sun. The colours we see are a tiny part of the electromagnetic light spectrum called visible light.
Colour Creation:
Colours are created by two methods: additive and subtractive. Additive colours are created by adding red, green, and blue to a black base, such as computers and electronics. Subtractive colours are created by adding yellow, cyan, and magenta to a white base, such as paints and visible light. Therefore, a green-painted wall absorbs red and blue and reflects green to our eyes.
Room Colour Psychology:
Science shows that paint colours can subtly affect our moods, emotions, and feelings. According to Hidefi, 2020’s pandemic “raised our collective awareness about the significance and impactful power of colour for our mental and physical health”. Research by Colour Marketing Group shows that Post Pandemic Recovery anticipates the importance of yellow, purple, green, and blue families ranging from pale and tinted neutrals. From the research, we listed the top 5 summer paint colours to cool your home:
Pastel Yellow:
An easy alternative to white, Pastel Yellow creates a neutral foundation. Bright colours like magenta or cobalt can be used for textiles and accessories. Besides, it also captures the joys of sunshine and exudes happiness. Best for:
- Living Room
- Bathroom
- Kitchen
- Dining Room
Pale Mauve:
It is great to see purple make a comeback, but pale. Pale mauve evokes fragrances from summer flowers like lilac. It can be accented with pops of yellow and warm woods. Best for:
- Bedroom
- Office
- Living Room
Subtle Green:
This soft greenish-gray tone is both cool and calm. The many shades of green conjure a feeling of nature and optimism. Subtle Green is complemented by rich emerald. Best for:
- Bedroom
- Living Room
- Kitchen
Soft Blue:
Soft blue reminds us of summer skies and clear oceans. An easy transition of bringing the cool fresh air to interiors. Additionally, the different hues of blue are also found to lower heart rate and blood pressure. Best for:
- Bedroom
- Bathroom
Mild Pink:
Mild Pink adds a romantic glow. Any richer hues can become overwhelming and would rather work best as accents. Associated with kindness, this hue is also said to boost creativity. Best for:
- Office
- Bedroom
- Nursery
Post-Pandemic Recovery:
The 2020’s pandemic experience has accentuated remote work and education. So indoor spaces at home need to evoke productivity and longer hours of focus. And paint colours have a significant impact on our mental and physical health. Different colours affect our moods and energy levels.
Resale Desirability:
Add to this, the summer weather can bring in hot afternoons and sluggishness. We explored the top 5 summer paint colours to cool your home, best suited for this post-pandemic recovery. You can also learn about 5 paint colour trends for 2022 here. An added benefit of colouring softer hues is enhancing your home’s resale desirability. Science agrees that it promotes calmness and serenity attracting homebuyers.
Product Care Recycling:
Moreover, the leftover paint can find new homes when recycled. Product Care Recycling offers more than 2000 collection sites across 8 provinces in Canada. By recycling, you divert paints from filling up landfills and keep the environment sustainable. The collection sites can be found at Product Care’s Recycling Locator.