Colour Psychology - Purple

Walls : Shadow 2117-30

COLOUR PSYCHOLOGY SERIES: PURPLE

Dramatic and mysterious or cheerfully whimsical, what better colour to make a triumphant comeback

Hot pink may have been the big hero of 2023, but this year purple is having a resurgence. It's only a matter of time before the colours we see on the catwalks filter into our homes and there's one hue in particular that stood out for SS24 - soft shades of purple. From dusty orchid to pure lilac these gentle tones featured prominently across collections from New York to Paris.

The sheer spectrum of shades stretches from these more muted mauves to bolder berry tones and deep aubergine, offering scope to create a range of different looks and styles in our homes, from tranquil and soothing to moody and striking.

Often associated with royalty and tradition, purple can elevate a room with rich drama and, like green, is a hybrid of cool and warm tones, which can be dialled up and down depending on the hue.

People often consider purple as a mysterious, spiritual, and imaginative. It's a shade that occurs rarely in nature, so is viewed as intriguing. Yet, despite it making for versatile and impactful interiors, decorating with purple is sometimes overlooked.

However, with the right touch, purple can create inspiring schemes that will achieve a lasting impression in the home.

Walls : Velvet Cloak, CSP-480

Lie back and lean into the dark side...

Decorating with dark purples is a wonderful choice for a cosy living room or bedroom. These deeper shades will gracefully embrace the dimmer light of the evening and help bring walls in to create a cocooning feel.

To create a memorable impression a deep, almost blackened, plum such as Velvet Cloak CSP-480 will bring an air of mystery and glamour. Amplify this further by colour drenching an entire room, floor to ceiling to completely wrap the space.

When going for an all-encompassing floor to ceiling scheme, to add interest and depth add metallic accents like gold or copper which can be easily introduced through picture frames, light fixtures, or decorative elements. These sleek metals will pop against a dark backdrop and reflect light to create an opulent feel.

Don't be scared to play with pattern to break up the expanse of dark colour, a classic monochrome stripe, for example, will add interest whilst achieving an irresistibly sophisticated feel.

Walls : Black Raspberry 2072-20

Saturated shades envelope a room, whilst bringing real presence to a space whatever its size. To elevate this further consider going for a gloss finish.

In the same way that a mirror creates an illusion of space, the reflective surface of a higher sheen paint tricks the eye into believing a room is larger or brighter than it is. Used floor to ceiling, it will add impact to smaller rooms such as cloakrooms or pantries.

Walls : Carter Plum CW-355. Door : Geddy Gray CW-720

If a full-on floor to ceiling look feels overwhelming but you are still drawn to deeper, more saturated purples, consider pairing with another colour.

Several colours go with purple but greys and neutrals in particular will help to balance it. Choose a grey with violet undertones such as Stormy Monday 2112-50 - this will work particularly well with stronger, bolder hues to create a harmonious finish. Alternatively a warm white, such as Stoneware CSP-245, creates a crisp contrast against the inky, blackened violet, Plum Martini CSP-540.

Walls : Carter Plum CW-355. Bedframe and cabinets : Stormy Monday 2112-50

Walls : Plum Martini CSP-540. Staircase : Stoneware CSP-245.

The soft and soothing effects of the lighter shades...

Muted, softer purple shades have continued to rise in popularity and are now considered one of the newest of the 'new neutrals'. They bring an optimism and positivity to a space and are a wonderful companion to pinks, blues, and greens, adding depth or vibrance depending on the shade of purple.

For a soothing feel, try a purple that's closer on the colour wheel to blue or grey; the muted tones create a more neutral, natural appearance and an overall "quieter" room.

Opting for a tonal scheme is an easy way to tie all of your design elements together. Embrace layers of texture through soft furnishings, art, or decorative objects to create depth and a more visually interesting space.

Walls : Hazy Lilac 2116-40

On the opposite end of the purple spectrum to those more saturated shades is lilac. Friendly and inviting with a feminine edge, lilac is known for its calming qualities and conjuring positive energy, instantly evoking a sense of ease.

Despite its pink hints, lilac is a colour that lives on the cool side of the spectrum, so it works best in south-facing rooms and spaces with plenty of natural light.

This delicate shade has a connection with nature and botanicals that can help relax our brains and entice creative thinking. This can easily be elevated in your design scheme through the addition of natural woods and fresh flowers to create a fresh and open space.

Walls : Hint Of Violet 2114-60. Woodwork, mantle and ceiling : Steam AF-15

Walls : Slip AF-605. Woodwork : Steam AF-15