There's more to colour than meets the eye. It affects our mind, our emotions, and even our well-being. So whether it's a calm and relaxing living room or an energising and refreshing kitchen, set the mood with these intuitive palettes.

Turn your home into a haven with these calming colours. Achieving an atmosphere that helps you unwind has never been easier, thanks to these palettes—they'll transform your space into a relaxing bedroom, calming kitchen or whatever you decide.

Lighten up with these light and airy palettes. Like a gentle breeze throughout your home, these fresh and contemporary colours will transform any house into a spacious abode, creating a feeling of flow wherever they go.

Create some drama with this dark and moody colour palette. These graduating, rich yet warming colours are like wrapping yourself in a cocooning blanket. Perfect for a mood setting bedroom or dark and cosy living room.

Snuggle up with these cosy and warm colour palettes. Curated by our colour specialists for a home that's as comforting as a hot water bottle or a freshly brewed tea. Be it a cosy living room or inviting bedroom, these are the colours to warm you up.

Feel refreshed with these energising colours. Whether it's a home office you're decorating or a colourful kitchen, these palettes feel like that first cup of coffee in the morning. They'll have you leaping out of bed and ready to seize the day.

With historic roots in Buddhism, you can now find feng shui being practiced across various different cultures. Feng shui involves adding more mindfulness to your life, slowing down and taking a little more time to take in the present moment.\nThe meaning of feng shui\nIn Chinese, the words “feng shui” translate to “wind” and “water”, both vital elements for life. The use of colour in feng shui relates to 5 elements of earth, metal, water, wood fire - colours found in nature bring good energy and create balance. This has clear links to \ncolour psychology\n which explains how different colours can impact your mood. \n\nIf you’re looking for a bit more zen in your life (and hey, who isn’t?), learn how to use feng shui to create a calmer home.\nHow to feng shui your bedroom and living room \nThe rooms where you’ll want to start your feng shui boosting are the rooms where you rest and relax: your bedroom and your living room.\nStart with a good old decluttering session. Something we all tend to put off, but it feels \nso\n therapeutic when we finally get it done. 
\nNext, it’s time to think of layouts. In feng shui, one of the main principles is the commanding position. This is the position of some of your important furniture pieces, such as your desk (representing your career), your bed (representing you), and the stove (representing wealth). Although moving around your stove may not be an option, position other important furniture items such as your bed and your sofa to face towards the door. According to feng shui, this puts you in the best position to attract positive energy.
\nIn bedrooms in particular, good feng shui is all about balance. Mirror your side tables, lamps and pillows to ensure the space feels harmonious.\n

The best colours for good feng shui\nLet’s talk colours. In feng shui, certain colours are believed to promote calm and better sleep. When decorating your bedroom, reach for muted shades or colours you may find in nature. Here are a few examples of feng shui colours for your bedroom:\nOff-whites such as the cool \nWhite 02\n with grey undertones\n

\nCreamy colors like the oaty \nWhite 05\n or the warming \nBeige 01\n\n

\nEarthy colours such as the \nlight buff brown Beige 02 paint\n and \nearthy Beige 03\n.\n

\nPeach tones like the soft \nlight pink wall paint, Pink 01\n and the dusty \nPink 02\n could also work well. We’d recommend using these for accent items such as cushions and pillows.\n

With the start of the spooky season, we’re taking a closer look at one of our favourite interior trends: modern gothic decor. From luxurious fabrics to a love of vintage, this trend is so much more than just dark and moody colour palettes. No, you don’t have to live in a converted church or a crumbling castle to embrace it. Today, the modern gothic trend is taking homes across the country by storm.\nWhat is the history behind modern gothic decor?\nHere’s a good history exam question for you: what’s the difference between gothic, neo-gothic, and modern gothic? Fortunately, we’re not here to test you. In fact, we’re giving you all the answers. ‘Gothic’ refers to a style between the mid-12th and 16th centuries. An architectural practice popularised across Europe, it was mainly used when constructing cathedrals and castles. Think cavernous ceilings, intricate masonry, enormous stain glass windows and a few gargoyles for good measure. It was made infamous by Bram Stoker’s detailed description of Dracula’s castle: its great round arches and iron-studded stone doors. \n\n‘Neo-gothic’, on the other hand, refers to the 19th-century revival of this medieval Gothic style. Gorgeous examples are the Natural History Museum, with its bestial “gargoyles” and St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel—next to the train station—both in London. \n\nAnd then, bringing us right up to the current day, we have the modern gothic decor trend.\nWhat is modern gothic decor?\nJust as the Victorians went a bit mad for all things gothic, we’re reinventing this decor trend to suit today’s needs. Modern gothic decor isn’t quite as fussy and cluttered as its counterparts. It embraces both old and new design elements whilst emphasising the quirky, the unexpected, and the weird. Don’t be surprised to find anything from a neon ‘memento mori’ skull candle to an antique crucifix hung above a functional home office in a modern gothic house. If there’s one thing modern gothic decor \nisn’t\n, it’s boring.\nCharacteristics of the modern gothic decor\n\nModern gothic decor style: a dark and moody colour palette\nA big part of nailing the modern gothic decor trend is getting your colour palette right. But that doesn’t have to mean floor-to-ceiling black on black. Think about rich colours, like dark purples, dark \ngreens\n and even accents of light \nblues\n, \nreds\n or \npinks\n. You could even paint your walls in a lighter \npaint colour\n, like \ngreige\n or \ntaupe\n, paired with \nBlack 01\n or \nBlack 02\n woodwork. If you are thinking of going black, take a look at our guide on \neverything you need to know about black paint\n.\n\nTo get you started, take a look at our example of a modern gothic colour palette below:

Modern gothic decor style: a love of vintage\nFrom rustic furnishing to vintage lamps, the modern gothic decor trend is all about all things vintage. Think red leather Chesterfield style sofas, frilled lampshades, framed curios, animal print, and Victoriana nick-nacks. It’s intricate, ornate, and has a lot in common with the \nMaximalist decor trend\n. It’s definitely a ‘more is more’ style. If you’re going for a modern gothic style living room, you want to make sure you’ve got yourself an elaborate fireplace, working or not, and in the bedroom, think about going for an oversized, Rococo-style bed.

Contrasting old and new design elements\nThe fireplace, the lights, the bar, the \nBlack 02\n walls: @littleedwardian provides a perfect example of mixing new and old design elements to create a modern gothic decor style. This living room feels curated without being cluttered. The enormous gilded gold mirror and emerald green armchair—not to mention ram’s head—are the perfect accents in this gorgeous modern gothic home.

Dark and decorative wallpaper \nA nod to nature through animal motifs is a popular design element of modern gothic decor. Fortunately, we’ve got the \nwallpaper\n to make that happen. Take @eclectichunkydoryhome's \nStargazer 01 wallpaper\n feature wall in their bathroom. This dark-hued design with contrasting patterned golden stars would look perfect in a modern gothic-inspired bedroom, dining room or living room. We also love how @strikeme_pink pairs dark and velvety Purple 03 with floral wallpaper for an effortlessly chic gothic look.

Luxurious fabrics\nVelvet? Yes. Tassels? Absolutely. Animal print? Why not. A bit of leather? Go on then. As we’ve already mentioned, the modern gothic decor trend has some things in common with the \nmaximalist decor \nstyle, so don’t be afraid to mix and match different styles and fabrics. Pair a vintage button back leather sofa with velvet and leopard print cushions, plus a tasselled lamp for good measure. If you like it, go for it.

Dramatic lighting\nLet’s talk about @interiorcurve’s monochrome hallway, shall we? From the chevron flooring to the striped walls, it’s so eye-catching you barely notice the incredible orb chandelier. We love to see examples of bold decor choices, especially when they make as much of an entrance as this.

So remember, the modern gothic decor trend is for life, not just for Halloween.

Scrolling through your autumn Instragam feed you’ve probably seen a lot of #hygge​​—seldom has a decor trend been a more apt cultural zeitgeist. More than just pumpkin spiced lattes, when it comes to home decor, hygge is about creating a warm and inviting space to share with those closest to you. Sound familiar?\nAnd if you thought it had reached peak popularity pre-pandemic, you were about to see a whole new level of appreciation post-2020. So, with winter fast approaching, once again it’s that time of year when we all need a little hygge in our lives. Take a look at these 8 ways to make your home decor more hygge this autumn.\nWhat is hygge?\nFirst of all, it’s pronounced “hoo-gah”. Hygge is a Danish word meaning ‘cosiness’ but the ideology translates as ‘the art of creating intimacy’. It’s more than just hot drinks and cinnamon candles.\nHygge isn’t about grand, formal entertaining, it’s cushions and throws piled high. Evenings in front of the fire in your comfiest pyjamas surrounded by those you feel most comfortable around. It’s about celebrating the winter months by hunkering down and cosying up. So, if you’re looking for ways to make your home more hygge in preparation for hibernation, here’s how.\nHygge home decor idea: natural materials\nA rustic wood coffee table, wicker or rattan furnishings, and exposed beams all work to create a warm and cosy hygge home. Plus, carpets are a big no-no, it’s all about natural wood flooring with thick pile rugs. If you don’t have much in the way of natural wood in your home, what about trying your hand at some DIY shiplap cladding. Painted or left untreated, it’s a great way to create that modern farmhouse feel, synonymous with Nordic design. Our blog on \nhow to create DIY shiplap cladding\n will help you get the look.

Hygge home decor idea: warm and calming colour palette\nWhen choosing a hygge colour palette look for warming colours, with a red or yellow undertone, rather than blue or grey. If you’re going for more of a nature-inspired look, opt for something tonal like \nBeige 02\n or \nGreen 02\n. Lighter colours will create a relaxed, airy feel whilst darker paint colours will give that cosy, cocooning look, perfect for a bedroom or a living room in the evening. To get the look, get some inspiration from \nPalette 04: Timeless Neutrals\n designed in collaboration with \nKelly Hoppen CBE\n.\nHygge home decor idea: candles everywhere\nOn your coffee table, on your mantelpiece, on your shelves. If in doubt, if there’s room for a candle there, put a candle there. Extra hygge house points if you’ve got an open fire or log burner. Decor isn’t just about the eyes, it’s sensory, so when choosing your candles go for rich, nostalgic, autumnal scents.\nA hygge home isn’t just about gentle living, it’s about being gentle to the planet too. So opt for soy or beeswax candles, rather than paraffin wax. Find out why in our blog on eco-friendly home decor ideas. Extra hygge house.

Hygge home decor idea: cosy blankets\nJust as with \nScandi interior style\n, creating a hygge home means layering lots of fabrics and textiles. And when it comes to blankets, you can’t have too many. On your sofa, on your bed, pile them high in a wicker basket—just make sure there is one within arms reach at all times. It’s about texture, rather than colour, so go for thick knits, fluffy throws or bouclé blankets.\n\n\nDecorate like a real Scandinavian with these 10 tips\n.

Hygge home decor idea: lots of cushions\nJust as with blankets, more is more when it comes to cushions. Cable knit and Nordic style patterns are classic hygge, but you don’t need to stick to them. We think textured Beni Ourain, shearling or kilim cushions work even better. Take a look at these \nneutral living room ideas\n to see how you can create depth and visual interest through layering textiles.

Hygge home decor idea: cosy nooks\nA hygge home is all about creating little nooks in which to cosy up. Be that a big armchair to sink into (piled high with cushions and throws, naturally) or a cushioned bench in the kitchen. If you haven’t got room for an armchair, a beanbag or pouffe will do. Make use of tricky spaces by creating a stylish alcove with a bespoke seating nook.

We hope these home decor ideas gave you some inspiration on how to make your home a little more hygge. Take a look at these \n5 ways to make your living room more Scandi\n if this style is up your street.

Each month, search data shows that over 20,000 of us are looking for more information on the topics of “wellness” or “well-being”. And that figure keeps growing year on year, with Google Trends showing a whopping 147% increase in searches for “well-being” in the past five years, and a 114% increase in searches for “wellness.”\n\nSo, how do we get our wellness fix when we’re stuck at home? Well, we can create a space that’s filled with positive vibes. And right about now, you’re probably considering it already! According to a survey by YouGov, 11% of people have made a resolution to spruce up their home decor in 2021. After the amount of time we’ve spent at home last year, it’s easy to understand why there’s been a spike in DIY projects and home makeovers.\n\nAt Lick, we’re big believers in the power of \ncolour psychology\n and the impact that the colours we surround ourselves with can have on our mood and emotions. As we’re in the midst of our third lockdown, let’s take a look at how to use colour to transform our home into a space that will inspire wellness and positivity to get us through and make us a little bit happier on a day-to-day basis. Hey, every little helps.\nColours that inspire wellness and positivity \n\nKeep things upbeat around your home by choosing the right colours for your space. These are some the Lick colours that we would recommend to brighten up your home with:\nAdd harmony to your home with greens and blues\nMissing your outdoor time? To get some of that natural feel-good factor into your homes, bring in those blues and greens.\n\nLet’s kick off with greens. Known as the colour of harmony and balance, green will bring that feeling of peace into any space of your home. It’s also the colour of nature, and as we’re spending more time indoors right now, adding a few splashes (or licks) of green to your home helps by bringing a bit of the outdoors in. Try any of our greens, from \nwarm Green 04\n to \nmint Green 08\n.\n\nSo where should you incorporate green in your homes? Our colour experts recommend adding green to your kitchen. Having a green kitchen may subconsciously inspire you to eat more healthily (hey, here’s hoping!). You could also try green for your home office/whichever room where you choose to park yourself in with your laptop for the day. Green is quite a restful colour for your eyes, so it’s a good choice for when you just need a little rest between Slack messages.

Let’s talk blues. Blue is another colour where its presence can help you feel closer to nature. Just like a crisp blue sky can instantly add positive vibes to your day, bringing in some of those cool and calming blues to your home can have the same effect. \n\nWith blue, the lighter you go, the more soothing your space will be. Darker blues are more stimulating, so choose to paint those in home office areas for a little mental boost. Pair dark blue walls in an office with bright accents such as \nYellow 02\n, \nblood Orange 01\n, or \nOrange 02\n.\n\nRead about \nthe colours that go with blue\n to see which other combinations you can go for.

Paint with brighter colours for an instant injection of good vibes\nAlthough painting your home with peppy colours may feel a little scary at first, it really does help to brighten up your mood along with your physical space. Here are some of the brighter Lick paint colours that our specialists recommend for some indoor cheer: \n\n\nPink 03\n: this cheeky pink is nurturing and brings some seriously good energy along with it \n\nOrange 02\n: orange is a stimulating colour that has a vibrant look and ‘feel’. The addition of orange into a room brings new life and a sense of joy. Our Orange 02 is another great choice for your home office space, helping to keep you energised as you hop from one Zoom meeting to the next. \n\nYellow 02\n: An uplifting and mood-boosting colour, we’d recommend using the sunny Yellow 02 to add small pops of pep around your home. For instance, you could paint your fave chair yellow, or even just the legs of your kitchen table.\n\nToo scared to go too bright with your paint colour choices? Even just picking up a bouquet of brightly coloured flowers adds that splash of colours that can lift your spirits on sight. Bring on the orange tulips.

Create combinations of colours that will inspire wellness\nAs our colour specialists so wisely tell us: “It’s important to remember that you never see colour in isolation, e.g. it’s never just a grey wall. It's a grey wall with a plant and some cushions. Its surroundings is how it influences the way we feel. It's the combination of colours that inspire positivity and wellness in a home, rather than just the one colour.”

“It’s important to remember that you never see colour in isolation. It's the combination of colours that inspire positivity and wellness in a home, rather than just the one colour.”

Work with multiple paint colours to find combinations that can work together to impact your mood in a positive way. For instance, add in green with your plants and place them against a wall painted in the soft and nurturing \nPink 01\n. This way, you’re getting the positive benefits of both those colours, creating a more inspiring space that you’re okay with being temporarily locked down in.\nExplore our \nfull collection of paint colours\n and transform your home into your new happy place and read up about the relationship between \ncolour and emotions\n.

All moods

Calm & relaxing

Light & airy

Dark & moody

Cosy & warm