Skip to content
Winter already takes its toll on our mood, energy levels, and overall mental wellbeing. The shorter days, lack of sunlight, and cold weather create the perfect storm for low spirits. But what people don’t often realise is that the colours surrounding them at home could be making things considerably worse.
“Colour has a powerful psychological impact on how we feel in a space,” explains Jessie Brooks, Product Manager at Davincified, a premium platform specialising in personalised paint-by-numbers kits designed to bring therapeutic creativity into homes. “During winter, when we’re spending more time indoors with less natural light, the wrong paint choices can genuinely affect our mental state.”
Brooks is revealing the specific colours and tones that can make your space look dull and heavy, potentially increasing stress or a low mood during the cold season.
How Colour Affects Your Winter Wellbeing
The relationship between colour and mood is rooted in how our brains process visual information. Certain colours absorb light rather than reflect it, creating visual heaviness that can make rooms feel smaller, colder, or emotionally draining. During winter, when natural light is already scarce, these colours work against us, subconsciously triggering tension and amplifying feelings of confinement.
“Colours that might work beautifully in summer can become oppressive in winter,” says Brooks. “When daylight is limited, dark or muted tones don’t have enough light to bounce off them. They essentially deaden a space, absorbing what little brightness it has.”
The psychological impact is real. Rooms painted in certain shades can make us feel physically colder, even if the temperature hasn’t changed. They can make spaces appear smaller, pressing in on us during months when we’re already feeling trapped indoors.
Understanding which colours create these effects is the first step toward creating a home environment that supports rather than undermines your wellbeing. Brooks lists them below.
6 Colours to Avoid This Winter
1. Muddy Greys That Flatten Natural Light
Grey might seem like a safe, modern choice, but muddy, dark greys are particularly problematic in winter. These tones absorb the limited natural light available, making rooms feel flat and lifeless. Unlike crisp, clean greys that can work year-round, muddy variations lack the reflective quality needed during darker months.
“Muddy greys create what I call ‘dead zones’ in a room,” Brooks explains. “They don’t reflect light back into the space, so everything feels dull and heavy. It’s like living inside a grey cloud.”
2. Harsh, Cold Blues That Amplify Winter Chill
While soft, warm blues can be calming, harsh cold blues, particularly those with grey or green undertones, make rooms feel significantly colder. Our brains associate these shades with ice and winter weather, triggering an actual physical response that makes us feel chilled.
“These tones are especially problematic in north-facing rooms that receive limited sunlight,” says Brooks. “They create an unwelcoming atmosphere that can increase stress levels simply by making you feel uncomfortable in your own home.”
3. Dark Browns That Make Rooms Feel Claustrophobic
Deep, dark browns might feel cosy in theory, but in practice, they often create a sense of enclosure that borders on claustrophobic. These colours absorb light aggressively, making walls appear to close in and ceilings feel lower.
“Dark browns can make even large rooms feel like caves,” says Brooks. “When you’re already spending more time indoors during winter, the last thing you need is a space that feels confining.”
4. Muted Olive Greens That Read as Sickly in Low Light
Olive green can be sophisticated in the right context, but muted versions often appear sickly or stagnant in low winter light. These tones lack the vibrancy needed to energise a space, instead creating an atmosphere that feels tired and unhealthy.
Brooks notes: “The issue is compounded by how these shades interact with artificial lighting, often taking on an unpleasant yellow-grey cast that’s far from the natural, calming green you might have envisioned.”
5. Overly Stark Whites That Feel Clinical and Stress-Inducing
It might seem counterintuitive, but pure, stark whites can actually increase stress during winter. These shades create a clinical, sterile environment that feels cold and unwelcoming. The harshness of bright white walls under artificial lighting can be visually jarring, creating tension rather than the calm you’re seeking.
“There’s a reason hospitals use softer, warmer whites,” Brooks notes. “Pure white can feel institutional and uncomfortable, especially when you’re trying to create a sanctuary from winter weather.”
6. Deep Purples That Create Heaviness in Small Spaces
Deep purples, particularly those leaning toward burgundy or eggplant, can create emotional heaviness. While purple is associated with luxury and creativity, darker versions in small spaces can feel oppressive and melancholic, particularly during winter when mood tends to dip naturally.
“These types of colours work by dominating the visual field, leaving little room for light or visual relief, which is exactly what you don’t need when battling seasonal blues,” Brooks adds.
Jessie Brooks, Product Manager at Davincified, commented:
“You don’t need to repaint your entire home to counter these mood-dampening colours. Simple tweaks can make a significant difference to how your space feels during winter months.
“Start with lighting. Warm-toned lamps create an inviting glow that counteracts cold wall colours. Position them strategically in corners and near seating areas to add depth and warmth. Soft furnishings are your best friend. Swap out cushion covers for warmer tones like burnt orange, soft terracotta, or creamy neutrals. Throw blankets with rich textures add both visual and physical warmth.
“Consider adding artwork or prints that bring colour and life to walls without the commitment of repainting. Even something as simple as changing your curtains to a lighter, warmer fabric can transform how much natural light enters and circulates through a room, instantly lifting the atmosphere.”
