It’s no secret we love colour. We love colour on top of colour. Plus a pattern or two. But we never thought to ask why we liked colour so much. Until now. Why do we feel more creative around certain colours? Why do we feel low and dim surrounded by grey, whites, and blacks? We looked into what the colours we live in are doing to our minds.

While asking our friends if they feel happy around yellow would have been a study of sorts, we looked to the experts on this one. Researchers, out of the University of Essex in England, found that colours not only made us happier, but they also affected our memory, mental agility, reaction times, and our physical strength. Volunteers in this study were shown bright colours like yellow, or dull shades of grey. Those shown colours had an increase in hand-eye coordination of 20% and an increase in strength of 9%. This went further, those shown reds were less depressed, while those shown blue felt calmer.

So how do we know which colours to surround ourselves with? Here are a handful of colours we delved into.

Red – This bold colour is stimulating and energising. It’s said to increase our heart rate and blood pressure. This is great for a space that requires high energy or intense activity. A bedroom? Probably not. A gym or restaurant? Maybe.

Blue – This one does the opposite. Blue is relaxing and soothing. Blue helps to calm and it also aids sleep. A much better option for a bedroom.

Green – Another good one for the house, green evokes feelings of nature, which is innately calming and soothing. Green also helps us find composure and tranquility.

Orange – Probably not one for the bedroom, orange has been seen to increase appetite. This one is perfect for the kitchen or dining room, or that café down the street.

Purple – Purple is often associated with royalty and high-end things. But it’s also said to stimulate the creative part of the brain. Perfect for a home office or places you want people to get thinking, talking, and creating.

Yellow – When describing moods those who are happier are more likely to choose yellow, while those who are anxious or depressed tend to describe their feelings with the colours black, white, and grey. More yellow, we say!