The Psychology of Your Home

To many, Summer 2022 has felt like a dream. Swelteringly hot days followed by balmy nights - a climate one could revel in forever. Personally, long and hot days have offered me an opportunity to address home renovations outside of the property, rather than the inside. This made me think about how important it is to have a beautiful exterior to your home, as well as interior.

56% of experts surveyed that black will be the most popular front door colour choice in 2022, with blue and green also favoured, according to the 2022 colour trends report.

We all love to decorate our homes in a particular style, or aspire to the latest trend or movement. Popular ideas include dividing our spaces with Crittal steel frames, bi-folds for an infinity view, or maybe the provision of something more dramatic, like an outside kitchen station. Whatever we choose, every design decision reveals a lot about our personality and lifestyle. Take a look at the psychology behind the face of your home and discover what it reveals about you.

Personality:

Windows are an excellent place to start. Eyes are the windows of the soul, and windows are the eyes into the soul of your house. Homeowners who keep well-maintained woodwork or aluminium frames, and pay attention to window dressings, show fastidiousness, conscientiousness, and pride. Make sure you check how your dressings look from the outside!

"Windows are an excellent place to start. Eyes are the windows of the soul, and windows are the eyes into the soul of your house."

If windows start to express an owner's personality, doors are the portals of the house through which guests are invited inside. Just as your hallway is the introduction to the feel of the rest of the house, the doors that guests walk through speaks volumes too. For example, who would have thought that the colour of your front door could reveal your personality? With some light-hearted analysis, research by Dulux Weathershield has shown that an assumption is made in less than 10 seconds after seeing the colour of their front door.

• RED: Red is fiery, bloody, raises pulse rates and is associated with passion. People with red doors are thought to be driven, confident, extroverted and energetic.

• GREEN: The interpretation of green depends on the intensity of the shade. Take 'Ral 6002', or 'Engineers Green', is thought to be active, alert, and sincere. 'Vert de Terre', or 'Lichen', is a popular choice from Farrow & Ball. It is thought to convey nature, and be calming and restful. Green always has connotations of health and wellbeing. Whether in the country or the town, the personalities behind this colour are presumed to be orderly, peaceful, and biophilic.

• NAVY BLUE: Navy blue denotes formality and intelligence. It is thought to be restful but not too comfortable. It is classic, particularly paired with a shining door knocker.

• BABY BLUE: Baby blue, on the other hand, is associated with the youth and innocence. It denotes tenderness, sensitivity and kindness. It may be perfect for a young first-time buyer.

• BLACK & GREY: Black and grey doors evoke a sense of sincerity and formality. Though they may sound austere, they can communicate that the homeowner is constitutional and diplomatic. Black doors in particular look striking in both gloss and matte paint.

• CREAM: Cream doors are associated with purity, simplicity and peace. Owners are seen to be contented and unpretentious (though this may be the most high-maintenance hue!).

• YELLOW: Yellow is fun-loving, breezy and bright. Homeowners with yellow doors are seen to be sociable, welcoming and happy hosts. Yellow doors are quite often found in coastal areas and promenades.

• PURPLE: Purple doors allude to creative, charismatic, playful and open-minded residents. Purple holds mixed values of warmth and coolness, energy and calm. It is bold and unexpected.

• PINK: Pink doors suggest the owners are outgoing and mischievous, carefree and young at heart. It alludes to boundless creativity and warm hosting.

• ORANGE: Orange is a truly unique door colour. It suggests the person who chose it is quirky, daring, and sociable. If you want to open a conversation, then paint your door orange.

• BROWN: Brown doors are seen as stable, reliable and traditional. People who paint their doors brown are often seen as down-to-earth and private, and helpful.

Curb Appeal:

While the exterior of your home may speak volumes about your personality, it also serves a very important function: it helps you sell! Does your house have curb appeal?

Look at the colour of your masonry. Is it bright and clean? Would it look inviting in a different colour, if your local authority permits it? It is noted that homes in sunnier climates withstand a more colourful, flamboyant exterior better than those in cold climates. Overall, tidy and well-maintained masonry says to any visitors that you care about your home, and that the interior will be gorgeous too.

It is also worth looking at your roof. Is it watertight and pristine, with secure slate and tiles? Maintaining your roof shows to guests that you aim to look after your abode for a long time, and are invested in keeping it in good condition.

Next, consider any pathways you have. Are they clear and clean, with the weeds uprooted? Have you thought about removing other's litter, too? Taking action to this extent shows you take exceptional care of your home. Any guest, or prospective buyer, will be thoroughly impressed by the care you take.

So, what would you like the exterior of your home to say about you? The summer may be over, and your focus might be turning inwards during the winter months. But hopefully this article will give you something to mull over, and plan for when the days get longer again. After all, home is where the heart is, and the outside of your home invites people into your heart!

Written by Tracey Andrews.

To see the rest of our Q4/22 Magazine, click the link below to view the articles online: https://issuu.com/briklondon/docs/brik_magazine_-_2022_-_q4_-_issuu

Click the link below to view Tracey Andrews' Website:

https://traceyandrewsinteriors.co.uk/