Notes on Colour: The Colours That Make Us Happy

Have you ever noticed how a certain colour can instantly change the way you feel?

I have always been fascinated by colour. Long before TINKALINK, when I was working in fashion and makeup, colour was such a huge part of what I did — finding exactly the right shade, knowing when something needed to be brighter, softer, warmer or simply a little unexpected.

And I think I’ve carried that instinct with me into everything I create now.

Colour has an extraordinary ability to change the way we experience the things around us. It might be the dress you automatically reach for when you want to feel good, a piece of jewellery that lifts an outfit, or the candles and objects you put on a table because you love the way they make the room feel.

I’m not sure I’ve ever consciously thought, I need more green in my life today. But I absolutely know when a colour makes me happy.

And perhaps that’s the point.

While colour psychology isn’t an exact science, there has been lots of research into the relationship between colour and emotion. But our own memories, experiences and associations matter too.

The colour that makes me happy might not be the one that makes you happy — and I rather love that.

Those are often the colours I find most interesting

A Colour Palette to Lift Your Mood

How do you want to feel?

I think one of the nicest ways to think about colour is to start with how you want to feel.

If I want energy, I’m naturally drawn to something brighter — a fabulous yellow, a zesty orange , tomato red or an unapologetic pink. They’re colours that immediately bring a bit of life and fun into a room.

When I want things to feel calmer, I find myself turning towards blues and greens.

And sometimes I want something richer and more cocooning — burgundy, chocolate, forest green or a really deep, inky navy.

But then there are the colours that have absolutely nothing to do with colour theory. They simply make us smile because they remind us of something.

A particular blue that takes you straight back to the Mediterranean. The green of a favourite dress. The exact pink of the an English rose that appear in the garden every May.

Can colour really boost your mood?

I don’t think painting a wall yellow is suddenly going to solve a terrible day.

But I do believe the things we surround ourselves with can make a difference.

A cheerful colour can brighten a grey morning. A calming shade can make a corner of your home feel more restful. And something bold and colourful can sometimes give you exactly the little lift you need.

Colour is also incredibly personal.

The same blue might remind me of a wonderful summer holiday and remind someone else of their old school uniform. Neither reaction is right or wrong — it’s simply part of our own story.

And I think that’s why I find colour psychology so fascinating. It isn’t just about what a colour is supposed to make us feel. It’s about memory, personality, culture, experience and instinct.

Sometimes the best mood-boosting colour is simply the one that already has a happy story attached to it.

COLOUR NOTES

TINKALINK Autumn Crystals Carnelian & Citrine

Bright Side

For me, these are the colours that bring energy and joy — sunshine yellow, zesty orange, tomato red and a really good pink. They’re optimistic, playful shades that instantly lift the mood. I love them in small, unexpected doses too: a colourful candle on a table, a favourite piece of jewellery or simply something bright that catches your eye and makes you smile.

TINKALINK Memo to Me Bracelets Aquamarine You Got This Black

A Moment of Calm

For calmer moments, I always come back to blues and greens. There’s something instantly soothing about soft sky blue, Mediterranean tones, sage and olive — colours that make a room feel quieter and more grounded. I love carrying those same shades through TINKALINK, from our fabric-wrapped candles to crystal jewellery; little touches of colour that can bring a sense of calm to both what we wear and the spaces around us.

A Little More Depth

When I want a room to feel warmer and more cocooning, I’m drawn to colours with real depth — burgundy, chocolate, forest green and inky navy. They feel luxurious without being too formal and create a wonderful sense of atmosphere, particularly in the evening. I love carrying those rich jewel tones into what we wear too, like our deep garnet crystal bracelet, personalised with bespoke gold pendant letters to make it completely your own.

Follow the colours you love

I’ve never been particularly interested in rules when it comes to colour.

I’m much more interested in combinations that make you stop and look.

A deep green beside a beautiful pink. Blue warmed up with rust. A tiny flash of yellow against something much darker. Colours don’t necessarily need to match perfectly — sometimes the slightly unexpected combinations are the most exciting.

And you certainly don’t need to redecorate your entire house to bring more colour into your life.

Start small.

Look at the things you already love. Which colours do you repeatedly choose? What do you wear when you feel good? Which colours in your home make you happiest?

Then add another.

And another.

Before you know it, you’ve created your own palette — not because somebody told you those colours work together, but because they feel like you.

Choose the colours that feel most like you

There really isn’t one perfect mood-boosting colour. Some days I want joyful brights and pattern. Other days I’m drawn to blues, greens or something much quieter. I think most of us change our minds depending on the season, where we are, what we’re doing and how we want to feel. That’s what makes colour so much fun.

Colour has always been at the heart of TINKALINK. I love playing with unexpected combinations, patterns and shades — whether I’m designing fabrics for our hand-wrapped LED candles, developing colourful pieces for the home or putting together crystals and seed beads for a bespoke bracelet.

For me, it’s never really been about following a colour rule. It’s about creating things that make you feel something when you see them. And if they make you smile every time you walk past them, even better. So, which colour is calling to you today?