Est. Reading Time: 6 Mins
Choosing a home’s colour palette is about much more than matching swatches—it’s about shaping the way you feel in your space. Colour has the power to energize, calm, inspire, and even shift how large or intimate a room feels. For homeowners in Ottawa, where long winters and changing light levels can impact mood, the right colours are even more important for setting a positive, welcoming tone.
Interior designer Zeina Badawi, who works with homeowners across Ottawa and Kingston, says colour is one of the first design decisions she helps clients tackle. “Colour is deeply personal, but also very functional,” she explains. “If you choose with intention, you can design a home that truly supports your everyday well-being.”
Key Takeaways
- Colour influences how we feel in a space by affecting our mood, energy levels, and overall emotional comfort.
- Warm tones bring vibrancy and energy to social spaces like kitchens, dining areas, and living rooms.
- Cool tones promote relaxation and focus in bedrooms, offices, and other quiet environments.
- Neutrals provide design flexibility by creating timeless backdrops that highlight furniture and accessories.
- Ottawa homes benefit from thoughtful palette choices that counterbalance colder climates and variable lighting.
- Designers like Zeina use colour psychology intentionally to create spaces that align with each client’s lifestyle and emotional needs.
In This Article...
- What Are the Best Colours for Home Décor?
- Calming Blue: Serene, Trustworthy, and Cool
- Soothing Green: Organic, Restful, and Balancing
- Graceful Violet and Purple: Creative, Luxurious, and Understated
- Energizing Red: Bold, Social, and Stimulating
- Cheerful Yellow: Bright, Inviting, and Uplifting
- Stylish Neutral: Versatile, Modern, and Timeless
- FAQs About Colour Psychology in Design
What Are the Best Colours for Home Decor?
The best colour is not necessarily what’s trending—it’s what supports how you want to live. Zeina emphasizes that "each colour has a purpose, and when used correctly, it elevates how you experience your home."
Whether you’re designing for a growing family, remote work life, or simply looking to refresh your space, the following six colour families can help guide your decisions. To learn more about the latest Colour Trends, take a look at this article.
1. Calming Blue: Serene, Trustworthy, and Cool
Blue is a universally loved shade because it creates calm and encourages concentration. It’s commonly used in bedrooms and bathrooms but has grown in popularity for modern home offices and open living areas. In homes with northern light—common in Ottawa—softer or warmer blues, such as dusty or slate blue, help balance the coolness of the light.
Zeina adds that “blue is perfect for multipurpose spaces. It promotes clarity of mind, which is why I often recommend it for reading nooks or flex rooms that need to function as both lounge and work zones.”
2. Soothing Green: Organic, Restful and Balancing
Green, associated with nature and vitality, offers a grounding presence in any room. It’s particularly useful in areas designed for renewal, such as bedrooms or meditation spaces. Lighter greens like sage or mint evoke freshness, while darker greens like forest or olive add richness and sophistication.
In Ottawa, green is frequently used in transitional-style homes that blend traditional and modern elements. “I’ve been incorporating more eucalyptus and earthy green tones into living rooms lately,” says Zeina, “especially in homes with lots of wood or natural stone.”
3. Graceful Violet and Purple: Creative, Luxurious and Understated
While once seen as a bold or unconventional choice, purple is having a resurgence, especially in its muted forms like lavender, lilac, and deep plum. These tones work well in private spaces, including primary bedrooms or guest suites.
The popularity of eggplant and aubergine shades in 2025 reflects a broader trend toward moody, expressive interiors. “Purple adds personality without being overwhelming,” says Zeina. “It’s a great bridge colour when you want to soften a space without resorting to pink.”
4. Energizing Red: Bold, Social, and Stimulating
Red evokes passion, conversation, and activity. While too much can feel intense, strategic use of red in areas like dining rooms, basements, or powder rooms can bring warmth and energy.
Zeina advises clients to use red in measured ways: “Deep clay reds or berry tones can add a lot of warmth to Ottawa homes, especially in spaces where you want to feel energized in colder months.”
Use as an accent through furniture, artwork, or statement walls rather than full coverage unless balanced by soft, grounding tones.
Yellow mimics natural light and stimulates joy and optimism. It’s a smart choice for smaller or dimly lit spaces like hallways, bathrooms, or kitchens.
Soft yellows like butter or wheat bring a warm glow, while brighter tones like sunflower or lemon can feel more playful. “Homes in Ottawa with limited daylight in winter, yellow helps boost mood and visual warmth,” says Zeina.
Avoid using yellow as the dominant colour in larger rooms unless it's heavily balanced with neutrals or natural textures.
6. Stylish Neutrals: Versatile, Modern, and Timeless
Neutrals are the foundation of most modern colour palettes. Beige, beige, taupe, and stone help create calm, balanced environments that work in any design style—from minimalist to farmhouse.
Recent trends lean toward warmer neutrals like truffle brown and sandstone over cooler greys. Zeina says, “These shades provide warmth without feeling dated. They let other elements like art, rugs, and furniture become the stars of the space.”
Neutrals are also ideal for layering textures like wood, linen, metal, and matte finishes to add depth.
This year’s Pantone Colour of the Year is a great example of having a neutral colour in a room.
What colour should I paint a small room to make it feel larger?
Lighter tones like off-white, soft grey, and pale beige reflect natural light, making small rooms feel more open and airy.
Are warm or cool colours better for Canadian homes?
It depends on the lighting. In colder climates like Ottawa, warmer tones can help offset the chill of winter light, while cool colours work well in naturally bright spaces.
How do I avoid clashing colours in open-concept layouts?
Choose a cohesive base tone and build a palette with 3-4 complementary colours. Use similar undertones (warm or cool) across all hues for harmony. Zeina often recommends building colour schemes around anchor pieces like a favourite rug or artwork.
What's Next?
Now that you know how colour affects mood, space, and design flow, you’re ready to make informed choices about your home’s palette.
You can start by checking out our complimentary design services to see how Mocha Mousse can work in your home. Working with an interior designer like Zeina Badawi can help relieve the stress of doing it yourself and make the process seem effortless.
Visit us at any of our furniture stores in Ottawa, Gatineau or Kingston or book an online appointment to talk to a sales consultant if you have any questions or concerns. To learn more about La-Z-Boy’s home decor and how it could potentially pair well with this colour, take a look at our home decor buyer’s guide.
(1).jpg?width=150&height=150&name=9C8A3062-Enhanced-NR%20(1)(1).jpg)