Most people massively underestimate the power of colour in a room. You can have the nicest furniture in the world, but if your curtains and soft furnishings are sending out the wrong emotional signals, your space won’t feel right. The good news? Colour psychology isn’t complicated. Once you understand a few basic principles, you can use your curtains, cushions, and throws to influence the mood of your home without overthinking it.

Start with Curtains: The Colour Anchor of the Room

Your curtains are a major visual player. They take up a huge vertical surface, so the colour has a real impact on how the room feels. A pair of made-to-measure curtains in the right shade can shift the entire atmosphere from flat to intentional.

Instead of second-guessing yourself or choosing “safe” beige, pick a colour that enhances the mood you want. Bedrooms? Soft, calming shades. Living rooms? Warm, welcoming tones. Home offices? Something uplifting and energising. Trust the effect, not the personality quiz.

Understanding What Colours Actually Do

If colour psychology feels a bit fluffy, here’s a broken-down guide to help:

• Blue curtains: Calming, grounding, brilliant for bedrooms.
• Green curtains: Restorative and fresh. Great for living rooms or any space where you want a sense of balance.
• Warm neutrals: Cream, taupe, oatmeal. Cosy, soft and easy to layer with statement cushions.
• Deep tones (charcoal, navy, forest): Cocooning and sophisticated.
• Warm shades (rust, terracotta, mustard): Energising and welcoming, perfect for social spaces.

You’re not choosing colours to “express your innermost self”. You’re choosing them because they do something useful for the space.

How Natural Light Changes Colour

A north-facing room can make cool colours look frosty and uninviting. South-facing rooms can make warm colours feel overpowering. Light matters.

• North-facing rooms benefit from warmer curtain tones (think clay, taupe, rust, gold).
• South-facing rooms can handle cooler tones (sage, steel blue, soft grey).
• East-facing rooms get crisp morning light, so soft pastels and neutrals shine.
• West-facing rooms get warm afternoon light, so richer colours often look best.

This is why you should always view curtain fabric samples in your actual room. Never trust shop lighting.

Texture Changes Colour More Than You Think

The same colour behaves differently on different fabrics. A navy velvet curtain looks deep and dramatic, but navy linen curtains feel airy and approachable. A wool throw in sage green feels warm and cosy; a cotton cushion in sage feels fresh and light.

If a colour feels too bold, try it in a textured fabric. Texture softens everything.

Building a Confident, Balanced Colour Palette

Curtains make the main statement. Your cushions and throws should support that decision, not fight it.

The easiest way to build a palette in your space is to repeat a colour three times. It’s known as the three-times rule, and it’s a foolproof method that all the pros use to get that intentional, elevated look. 

For example:

• Olive green curtains
• A cushion with olive detailing
• A throw with olive undertones

It looks coordinated without trying too hard.

Supporting Colours: The Unsung Heroes

If your curtains are bold, let your soft furnishings help tone things down. Neutrals in cushions and throws prevent strong colours from dominating. If your curtains are neutral, cushions and throws can introduce richer accents.

Avoid using too many competing accent shades. Pick one main accent, then one secondary at a push, and leave it at that. Anything more looks messy.

Common Colour Mistakes (And How to Dodge Them)

• Choosing colours in poor lighting. Always test samples at home.
• Mixing too many undertones. Warm grey with cool beige? No thanks.
• Ignoring the scale of the room. Bold curtains in a tiny space can feel claustrophobic; go textured instead of high-saturation.
• Choosing curtains last. They should never be an afterthought, as they help to mould the feel of your space.

Why Made-to-Measure Makes Colour Easier

When your curtains fit perfectly, the colour sits exactly where it should. Poorly fitting, off-the-shelf curtains bunch in the wrong places, making colours look patchy or limp.

Made-to-measure curtains from The Sewing House hang properly, fall cleanly and show off the fabric exactly as intended. That means the colour reads correctly, evenly and confidently in your space.

If you want colour that actually looks intentional and works beautifully in your space, buy your made-to-measure curtains from The Sewing House and build the rest of your soft furnishings around a look that finally feels right.