While most people understand the power of paint to completely transform a property, many pick colours on a whim, without a thought for the influence colour can have on our day-to-day moods.

It’s important to think strategically when choosing colours for your home. Instead of reaching straight for that swatch that instantly jumps out at you, consider the psychological effects that certain colours will have on your emotions and subconscious. For example, there are some colours that are winners in your living room, while others are perfect for a bedroom and may influence how peacefully you sleep at night.

The key to getting your colours right is understanding which ones work best in certain rooms. Many people put warm colours in rooms that should err on the cool side, and vice versa. This is a rookie renovator mistake.

Warmer colours such as reds, oranges and yellows tend to evoke happiness, energy, excitement, warmth, joy and optimism. They’re perfect for rooms where you want to stimulate conversation and harness their energising properties, such as the dining room, kitchen or bathroom.

But, the key is to use cool colours in small doses. Orange might be great for a home gym, where energy and motivation is needed, but not a wise choice for bedrooms, where more soothing colours work better.

Cool colours embrace the purple, blue and green side of the colour wheel and are closely linked to the natural environment and its inherent calming effects. Known stress relievers, colours in this range are ideal for bedrooms and lounge rooms, where a slower pace and sense of tranquillity are needed.

And don’t forget that furnishings are an effective way to introduce colour into a room. White Knight’s range of Squirts sprays are an easy way to upcycle old furniture pieces or simply change the colour of a plain one.