Soothing colours for living spaces

Harmony and relaxation through targeted colour selection

Colours have an immense effect on our mood and well-being. Carefully selected colour combinations can turn living spaces into places of peace and relaxation. Colours influence our perception, our emotions and even physical processes. If you consciously use the effect of colours, you can transform your home into a harmonious oasis of well-being.

The importance of colours in the home

The psychological effect of colours has been scientifically proven, as shown for example by the Colour and Health Study. The study shows that targeted colour and lighting design in intensive care units significantly improves the well-being of patients and staff and reduces medication consumption by an average of 30.1%.

In general, it can be observed that certain colour tones stimulate the metabolism, lower or raise blood pressure and can even influence breathing. While cool colours and light tones have a calming effect, warm colours from red to yellow can be stimulating. It is therefore particularly important to choose a balanced colour scheme in the living room.

Calming colours: Which colours have a relaxing effect?

Blue: the colour of calm and serenity

Blue symbolises peace, harmony and trust and has a calming effect on the mind. In interior design, colour is often used to make rooms appear larger, more elegant or more relaxing. Light shades of blue lend freshness and expansiveness, while darker nuances such as navy or royal blue provide elegance and depth. Especially in combination with white, grey or beige, blue creates a modern and elegant look. Blue accents can be enhanced with targeted lighting to create an atmospheric ambience.

Green: Symbolises nature and balance

Green stands for nature, freshness and balance and has a grounding and regenerating effect on the mind. Colour is often used in interior design to create a natural, harmonious and lively atmosphere. Light shades of green such as mint or sage lend rooms a sense of lightness, while darker nuances such as emerald or forest green radiate elegance and depth. Combined with wood, off-white or beige, it creates a stylish and balanced ambience. Appropriate lighting concepts can attractively emphasise green accents and create a relaxing, natural atmosphere.

Pink: A soft colour for security & calm

Pink stands for gentleness, security and emotional warmth and has a calming effect on body and mind. In interior design, colour is often used to create a harmonious and inviting atmosphere. Delicate rose shades such as powder pink or dusky pink look particularly soft and cosy, while stronger nuances such as mauve or blush lend elegance and depth. Pink unfolds its effect even better in combination with light shades of white and woody natural tones. A must-have is the shade in shabby chic, the little sister of the vintage style. Pastel shades and pink nuances are favoured here.

Violet: combines elegance with relaxation

Violet combines elegance with relaxation and radiates creativity and mysticism at the same time. In interior design, the colour is used to create a luxurious, calming and inspiring atmosphere, e.g. in Art Deco style. Light violet tones such as lavender or lilac have a soft and refreshing effect, while darker nuances such as aubergine or plum lend depth and sophistication to the room. In combination with calm, light colours such as cream, this creates a sophisticated and harmonious room concept. You can perfectly emphasise violet accents with targeted area lighting.

Good to know: The interplay of primary colours & secondary colours

For interior design, it is helpful to be aware of the interplay between primary and secondary colours. Primary colours are red, blue and yellow, secondary colours are green, orange and violet. **The following applies to the combination

Neighbouring colours in the colour wheel harmonise well with each other.
Complementary colours that are opposite each other on the colour wheel are also perceived as pleasant.
The room concept should focus on a calm basic tone such as white, beige, light brown or grey and complement 1-2 colours from the colour wheel. Warm colours harmonise with each other, as do cool colours.

Harmonious colours for the home: how to create a calming atmosphere

As a rule of thumb: combine a main colour with a secondary colour and an accent colour - ideally, for example, a simple main colour such as beige, an expressive secondary colour such as blue and an accent colour such as petrol. This creates harmonious transitions that round off the overall look of the room and do not overtax the eye or the mind.

Bedroom colour tips

Soft blue and green tones in combination with beige and warm natural colours create a calm and grounding atmosphere that promotes relaxation and deep sleep. While blue calms the mind and conveys expansiveness, green brings a natural freshness and balance to the bedroom. Combined with soft lighting, this creates a harmonious sleeping environment that promotes relaxation.

Living room colour tips

The combination of earthy brown tones, beige and off-white with a calming accent colour such as green creates a cosy and inviting atmosphere in the living room. Good to know: In combination with wood and natural materials, green enhances the organic look, while a modern touch is created in harmony with metal or concrete elements.

Study colour tips

A study in subtle and neutral colours such as beige, light grey or light brown creates a calm and focused atmosphere that supports productive work. The restrained tones are unobtrusive and promote mental clarity without being distracting. Green plants create lively accents, improve the indoor climate and ensure a natural balance in the workspace.

Wall colour tips: the right choice for a relaxed home

When choosing the right wall colour, you should first consider the desired room effect - light shades visually enlarge the room, dark shades create depth and cosiness. The lighting conditions play a decisive role: natural light makes colours look different than artificial lighting. It is therefore worth testing colour samples on the wall to see how they look depending on the time of day and surroundings. In addition, if furniture and accessories are already present, the wall colour should support the colour concept and not introduce yet another colour, as rooms can otherwise quickly appear restless.

Cheerful and positive colours: lift your mood and feel the energy

Yellow: the colour of joie de vivre and warmth

Sunny yellow radiates optimism, energy and joie de vivre, can lighten the mood and also encourage creativity. The colour has an activating and invigorating effect without being overpowering and conveys a feeling of warmth and security. In interior design, yellow creates a friendly atmosphere and makes rooms appear brighter and more inviting.

Orange: creative verve and cosiness

Orange stands for creativity, joie de vivre and warmth and has a revitalising effect on the psyche. The colour promotes a positive mood, increases the joy of communication and can also have an inspiring and motivating effect. In the interior, orange creates a cosy and energetic atmosphere that invites you to relax and socialise. The colour looks particularly harmonious in combination with neutral tones such as beige, cream or grey, which gently balance out its radiance.

Red: powerful elegance in deliberate doses

Red has a stimulating, passionate and powerful effect and can strongly stimulate the senses. The colour increases energy, dynamism and attention, but should be used sparingly so as not to be overwhelming. In living rooms, red can be used specifically as an accent colour in the form of cushions, carpets or individual wall surfaces to convey warmth and elegance. It looks particularly harmonious in combination with neutral tones such as beige, grey or off-white, which balance out its intensity.

Cheerful colours for the home: how to bring colour into play

Warm colours are best used as accents in the interior to create cheerful vibes and set highlights that stimulate and inspire.

Splash of colour for the kitchen

A rich sunny yellow brings cheerful vibes to the kitchen interior. You are welcome to use large areas here, for example with a yellow wall or yellow curtains. In combination with light colours and wood, the feel-good flair is perfectly rounded off.

Statement in orange

The colour orange also brings a touch of joie de vivre into our living spaces. In a light-coloured interior, for example, a bright orange sofa stands out in stark contrast and automatically becomes the cosy centrepiece of the room.

Accents with red

As red is such a strong colour, it is best used for accentuation. In a light-coloured concept with wood nuances, for example, it looks good when individual decorative elements such as pictures, vases and cushions pick up on the tone.

Furniture & colours in the living room: the right choice for your room design

Furniture for the living room

The living room is the central place to relax and feel good, which is why the choice of furniture and colours plays a decisive role. Natural materials such as wood, linen or velvet create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Light shades from off-white to cream and soft nuances in beige also harmonise with a colourful wall design and create a harmonious overall look. Soft fabrics and comfortable upholstery enhance the feeling of cosiness. Rounded off with atmospheric lighting, the result is a cosy living space that radiates peace and comfort.

Furniture for the bedroom

The bedroom should be a place of retreat that promotes relaxation and rest - so the choice of furniture and colours is particularly important. Soft, harmonious colours such as beige, light grey or powdery blue create a calming atmosphere and support restful sleep. Natural materials such as wood, linen or cotton reinforce the feeling of cosiness and warmth. Clear, simple shapes and an uncluttered environment also contribute to a sense of calm and give the room an airy and light feel. Atmospheric lighting with warm light rounds off the relaxed ambience perfectly.

Furniture for workspaces

A well-furnished study should create a calm and focussed atmosphere that supports concentration and efficiency. Clear lines and functional furniture provide structure, while subtle colours such as light grey, beige or sand create an unobtrusive environment. Natural materials such as wood and metal give the room a high-quality and professional look. Ergonomic furniture and an uncluttered design help to minimise distractions and promote a productive way of working. Complemented by targeted lighting and green plants, a balanced working environment is created that increases both inspiration and well-being.

Furniture for the kitchen

The kitchen is not only a functional work area, but also a social meeting place, which is why the choice of furniture and colours should be a balanced mix of practicality and cosiness. Light colours such as off-white, sand or soft grey make the room appear open and friendly, while warm wooden elements create a homely atmosphere. Smooth surfaces and clean lines create a modern and uncluttered look, while natural materials such as wood or stone add a warm, authentic touch. Furniture with well thought-out storage space makes everyday life easier and brings structure to the room.

The effect of colours on the eyes: Which colours are good for relaxed vision?

Colours not only influence our mood, but also the fatigue and relaxation of our eyes. While some colours have a calming effect and promote concentration, others can strain the eye more quickly.

Blue and green colours: good for the eyes

Colours influence our well-being and our concentration - blue and green tones are particularly pleasant for the eyes. While blue is associated with clarity and calm, green has a balancing and calming effect. Both colours reduce visual fatigue as they gently hit the eye in the natural light spectrum. This is why they are often used in work areas or quiet zones to create a relaxed atmosphere.

Why neutral colours relax the eyes

Neutral colours such as beige, grey or soft earth tones create a harmonious environment without visual overstimulation. They reflect the light in a pleasant way and thus prevent rapid eye fatigue. In living and working spaces in particular, subtle colour tones help to create a calm, unagitated atmosphere in which the eye can relax.

Colour psychology: How colours influence our mood and behaviour

Colours have a profound effect on our perception and our well-being. They influence emotions, create atmosphere and can even control our behaviour. Whether calming, invigorating or inspiring - every colour triggers certain associations and contributes to how we feel in a room.

Colours as a symbol for emotions and energies

Each colour conveys its own meaning and energy. Red stands for passion and dynamism, yellow has an invigorating and creative effect, while blue symbolises calm and clarity. Warm colours create a sense of security and closeness, while cool colours provide freshness and concentration. The targeted selection and combination allows rooms to be designed according to the desired mood.

Colours that convey confidence and calm

Soft blue and green tones have a calming effect and create a relaxed atmosphere, ideal for living or working areas. Neutral colours such as beige, grey or pastel shades convey consistency and confidence without overwhelming the eye. Such colours are the perfect choice, especially in rooms where relaxation and well-being are paramount. Example: A bedroom with walls in calm sea tones combined with a bedside lamp in a neutral colour such as beige or pastel shades.

The right lighting for a colour-coordinated room

A well thought-out lighting concept is essential in order to show off the colours in a room to their best advantage and create the desired atmosphere. Light not only influences our perception of colours, but also our sense of well-being. The right combination of different light sources can be used to specifically support the colour concept.

Multiple light sources for a harmonious overall picture

Balanced lighting consists of three components: general lighting such as ceiling lights, area lighting such as pendant lights and wall lights and accent lighting such as LED strips. While the general lighting ensures uniform ambient brightness, area luminaires create targeted islands of light and emphasise specific zones in the room. Accent lighting, such as indirect light or decorative luminaires, emphasises colours and creates depth.

Islands of light to support the colour concept

Targeted area lighting, such as table lamps, floor lamps or spotlights, creates islands of light that emphasise the colour concept of the room. Wallwashers or indirect lighting create gentle colour transitions, while directional lighting emphasises certain accent colours. For example, a colourfully painted wall area can be emphasised even more with a specifically aligned light.

Blue lighting ideas

Green lighting ideas

Yellow lighting ideas

Grey lighting ideas

Beige lighting ideas

Pink light ideas

The right light colour for different room areas

The colour temperature of the lighting plays a decisive role in the effect of the room. Warm white light (approx. 2700-3000 K) creates a cosy atmosphere and is particularly suitable for living and sleeping areas. In work areas such as offices and kitchens, on the other hand, neutral white or universal white light (approx. 4000 K) is ideal as it promotes concentration. Lights with CCT function, such as those available from Lucande, Philips Hue, Osram or Paulmann, allow the light colour to be changed depending on the time of day and requirements. Dimmable lights offer additional flexibility.

To the light colour guide

Optimal colour perception with good colour rendering

To ensure that colours in the room appear authentic and intense, a high colour rendering index (CRI) should be taken into account when selecting light sources. A CRI of Ra 100 corresponds to true-to-life colour rendering, while values from Ra 90 are considered very good. Light sources with a high CRI ensure that wall colours, furniture and decorations develop their full effect and do not appear distorted.

To the colour rendering guide

Lights as discreet helpers or design accents

The choice of luminaires influences the room design. Simple, functional lights blend unobtrusively into the overall picture, while colourful or designer models can be used as deliberate accents. For example, a coloured table lamp or a simple decorative LED strip can complement the colour concept and create specific highlights.

To the latest lighting trends

Discover the right lights for your oasis of well-being