Does winter have you singin’ the blues?

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Battle the blues with some new blue hues.

That’s the message from BeautiTone’s paint experts, who are suggesting punching up your home with a selection of blue colour tones.

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Many Canadians take on paint projects in the winter months to bring feelings of warmth and joy, said Kristen Gear, lead design and colour specialist for BeautiTone Paint and Home Products.

“Painting boosts our oxytocin levels and brings a positive change to our indoor spaces. A simple refresh can transcend the look and feel of a room and make our souls feel rejuvenated,” she said.

But if it’s the winter blues or a Blue Monday type of feeling — said to be the most depressing day of the year; the third Monday of January — doesn’t adding more “blue” into the picture seem just a little bit odd?

Apparently not, said BeautiTone.

“Blue is favoured by most people,” said Gear. “Blue is a tranquil and calming colour that inspires peace and relaxation. Just like the bright blue colour of the sky, blue represents freedom, and brings joy into our lives. Softer blues like Blue-Tiful (DR126-0) manifest a serene mood, while bolder shades such as Too Blue Hue (C23-1-1533-3) spark imagination and cheer — all of which are ideal for long winter days.”

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Colour therapy, said Gear, helps to balance our mood and energy, creating a deeper connection to our wellness and happiness, and as we spend more time indoors during the winter months a fresh colour can inspire hope and give us the chance to breathe new life into our homes.

So which blue should you choose? Here’s three that BeautiTone has highlighted:

• Too Blue Hue (C23-1-1533-3) is described as a dependable and inspiring deep blue that reduces feelings of anxiety and stress. Intense blues, said BeautiTone, awaken our spirituality and trust — making this the perfect colour for a home office.
• Blue-Tiful (DR126-0) is a playful and pleasing blue with yellow undertones. This hue evokes calmness and is the ideal choice for a bedroom area. “It is the colour of communication and trust, all of which are good for our mental health and our final grounding space of the day,” said Gear.
• Blue My Mind (C23-5-1537-0), is a warm and cozy blue that is said to sparks feelings of creativity. “This joyful colour is mentally stimulating and encourages clear, transparent thinking making it perfect for a living room where you can unwind and relax this winter,” added Gear.

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But what if blue is really not your thing and you’re still looking for a paint colour to help melt the winter blues away?

In that case she has two suggestions.

To lighten your mood and brighten your home, Gear’s first option is to use a mellow yellow like Illumina (TR24-3-1), BeautiTone’s 2024 Colour of the Year. Illumina, derived from the Latin word for illuminate, speaks to the colour’s ability to lighten up any space, from the kitchen to the bedroom.

Or you could try this colour, Essence (TR24-7-1). From BeautiTone’s 2024 Colour Trends Collection, it is a soft and desaturated purple but with blue undertones. “This pure and gentle purple resembles fresh lavender, and promotes a warm and inviting environment for hibernating through the winter season as we countdown to spring,” said Gear.

Now as to whether you go full-on colour and paint everything in that one shade or just certain parts, Gear said to go with what works for you.

“There is nothing quite like a room with floor-to-ceiling monochromatic colour!” she said. “But, ultimately, the best approach to any decor project depends on your comfort, and the atmosphere you want to create. Experimenting with new colours is the best part of decorating. Just keep in mind that there is a balance to help you find the perfect colour strategy.”

BeautiTone offers pairing combinations on the back of each paint chip, and colour undertone notations with its Design Roots chips to make choosing new colours more effortless and stress free.

BeautiTone is exclusive to Home Hardware. It is Canada’s No. 1 Canadian owned and Canadian made retail paint brand.

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