Go Warm or Cool, Not Both:
A Colour Theorist’s Simple Colour Rule For A Restful Home

SOURCE & IMAGES BY WISE MOVE & DONNA CAMERON 

Searches for ‘Dopamine decor’ have risen by +320% in the past year (according to Glimpse*), indicating a newfound interest in decorating our personal space with pieces that bring happiness, comfort, and pleasure.  To help people design cheerful and personalized homes,
Wise Moves, a leading marketplace for booking trusted home movers, spoke with color theory expert Donna Cameron to share practical tips on how to use colours and textures to transform the home.

Donna Cameron on the comeback of the ‘dopamine decor’ trend, “Being able to change or switch up our immediate environment is empowering, and the dopamine decor trend does exactly that. We want to come home and see beautiful things that make us feel good. Instead of getting trapped in the stark black and white trends, or the sage green or millennial greys, we are now looking for things that are more comforting and nurturing.”

1 – Sticking to a colour palette with the same temperature.

“Whatever shades you go with, whether it’s a mix of blues, greens, or purples, focus on one temperature – either cool or warm,” says Donna. “Mixing temperatures too much can make them clash, resulting in your space feeling less restful.”

On the contrary, Donna acknowledges that some people love clashing colours intentionally. “Mixing temperatures on purpose is a trend in itself. But, it’s higher risk if you’re looking to invest in something more timeless.”

2 – Choose colours that blend harmoniously together.

More important than the individual colors you choose is the way that they’re combined. Colours that blend harmoniously together will produce a more restful environment.

“When colours clash or compete for your attention, it’s hard to feel settled or know where to fix your eyes, which only makes it difficult for your mind to relax,” says Donna.

3 – For the kitchen, use warm shades such as cream, olive, fresh greens, and orange.

The kitchen is the heart and soul of a home. A classic white kitchen is timeless and lends itself well as a perfect neutral base, allowing you to introduce bolder colours and accents that reflect your style and personal taste.

“Incorporate warm shades like creams, olive, fresh greens, and citrussy tones such as orange. These pair particularly well if you have warm timber textures in your kitchen, making the space feel welcoming and inviting, perfect for open and social spaces like the kitchen,” explains Donna.

4 – Use yellow for decorating offices or creative spaces for mental stimulation.

In the past month, Wise Move has identified standout shades like ‘pastel yellow’ (18.1K searches), ‘mustard yellow (9.9K), and ‘gold paint’ (6.6K), all gaining traction globally**.

“Yellow is great for mental stimulation, making it an ideal colour for painting or decorating an office or creative spaces,” she says. However, Cameron also warns that shades like yellow may not be the best fit for a bedroom where a calming environment is preferred.

Choosing the right shade matters just as much as the colour itself. “Opt for the tones that make you feel comfortable. For example, a rich mustard yellow may put you at ease than a bright lemon yellow,” Donna adds.

5 – Soft and cool shades like blue and purple can be effective for the bedroom.

How you decorate your bedroom depends on how you use the space. “If your bedroom is primarily for winding down and sleeping, using softer or cooler colours like blue and purple can be effective as they support restfulness,” says Donna.

“But that only works if you genuinely like these colours; otherwise, it’s not going to do that.” Donna clarifies that personal preferences are key in determining how you feel in a space.