In winter, we naturally turn inward. Spending more time at home, seeking out comfort, and noticing our surroundings a little more. Colour is one of the simplest ways to shift the mood of a space, says expressive arts therapist Georgia Fullerton. Here, she discusses how to use colour to feel better during these darker, colder months.

Colours influence us on both a conscious and subconscious level, says Fullerton. When a colour surrounds us on walls, furniture, or accents, it interacts with feelings, perception and our overall mindset .

For example, greens are linked to balance and renewal. A deep green like BeautiTone’s 2026 colour of the year, Muse, can create a sense of calm and stability. Over time, these subtle cues shape mood, energy, and even how restorative a space feels, she says.

Unlike furniture or décor, paint is immersive. It sits in the background of daily life, shaping how light moves through a room and how the body responds to that space over time, she says.

During winter, when natural light drops and time outdoors is limited, certain colours tend to feel especially grounding.

“Earthy tones such as deep greens, warm terracottas, and muted neutrals, tend to feel grounding because they echo nature’s palette. They create a sense of stability when the outside world feels dark and we spend an increased amount of time indoors,” says Fullerton. “Pantone’s Cloud Dancer is a soft, airy white, which offers lightness and clarity. It’s a beautiful complement to deeper hues like Muse, balancing richness with brightness for a harmonious winter palette”

Neutral palettes remain popular, but Fullerton notes that not all neutrals offer the same emotional experience.

The undertone makes all the difference, she says. Warm neutrals like BeautiTone’s Dust of Light feel inviting and comforting, while cool, grey-based neutrals can sometimes feel stark or sterile. Texture also matters. Layering fabrics, wood, and natural materials with neutrals adds depth and prevents a space from feeling lifeless.

Much of colour’s impact happens below the surface, says Fullerton. In her therapeutic work, she often sees people respond emotionally to colour before they can articulate why.

“When colour is chosen deliberately, it reflects intention — what we want to feel or communicate. Subconsciously, colour can evoke memories, emotions, and even physiological responses without us realizing it. For example, I might invite a client to notice which colour feels connected to a certain emotion or part of themselves. Perhaps a deep blue that feels protective, or a soft pink that represents vulnerability. In therapy, I often see colour act as a bridge between inner experience and external expression,” she says.

That emotional response is one reason colour can feel intimidating, says Fullerton. Many homeowners worry about making choices that are too bold or committing to something they might regret.

The trick is to start small and layer. Choose an accent wall, piece of furniture or even a piece of artwork. These can add a sense of richness without overpowering your space, and they’re easy to switch out.

Paint’s emotional impact is also tied to its consistency, she says. Unlike objects that can be moved or replaced, wall colour is always present.

“Colour envelops us, it’s the backdrop to everything we do and wall colour is constant and immersive. It sets the tone for the entire space, influencing how light behaves and how we feel in the room. That’s why a simple paint change can completely shift mood and energy.”

When working with trend-led palettes, Fullerton encourages people to think beyond what is fashionable and focus instead on how a colour fits into daily life.

Look at how the colour resonates with your lifestyle and emotional needs. Trends are exciting, but the most successful choices are personal. Consider how colour interacts with your energy, your existing décor, and the mood you want to cultivate, says Fullerton.

For those unsure where to begin, her advice is simple:

“Start with a space you use daily, like a reading nook or bedroom wall, and choose a colour that supports how you want to feel there. Adding colour to a single wall or even through accessories like cushions or artwork can create a noticeable shift without a full renovation. Small changes often have the biggest emotional impact.”

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Fluorescent lights, the near-constant grinding of an industrial espresso machine, and chilly coffee shop temperatures … To many remote coffee shop workers, these are fast-forgotten annoyances while typing away on their laptops. But for Vancouver resident Maryam Mobini, who has ADHD and is among millions of neurodivergent people worldwide, experiences like these can leave her so depleted she has to go home and lie down in a dark room to recuperate. And don’t mention the impact on work productivity.

Mobini, a sensory and behaviour designer who has contributed to anxiety and chronic pain research at SFU, and trained under behaviour scientist Dr. BJ Fogg and psychiatrist Dr. Daniel Amen, is one of a growing number of neuro-informed designers.

Drawing on research in the field and her lived experiences, Mobini explores how environments — workplace, home, public spaces — impact emotions, thoughts and behaviour. Instead of asking people to rely on constant self-control, discipline, or coping, Mobini’s design philosophy puts the onus on the space itself. “The environment is always on, influencing us every minute we’re in it, whether we’re aware of it or not,” she explains.

Through her company, the innovation and design studio to:Resonate , Mobini consults with architects and interaction designers, and works one-on-one with clients in Canada, the US and Europe. Many of her clients are highly successful but struggle with ADHD and other neurodivergent conditions. Working with the likes of Lululemon, Procter & Gamble and Thrive Global, Mobini designs sensory-informed workplaces, wellness spaces, residential homes, and public installations. By incorporating finely tuned acoustics, LED lighting and intuitive layouts, Mobini taps into frequency, light, colour, and sound to “support [nervous system] regulation rather than stimulation.”

And with “nervous system regulation” becoming somewhat of a buzzword — in 2024 the hashtag had garnered over hundreds of million views on TikTok — it’s a design consideration more and more firms are building into their ethos. “Sensory overload, attention fragmentation, and burnout are becoming mainstream,” says Mobini.

Neuroarchitecture as a field first emerged in the early 2000s when neuroscientists such as Fred Gage at the Salk Institute in La Jolla, California — a centre founded in 1965 dedicated to studying how the environment influences the brain — began exploring the link between architecture and neuroplasticity. Today, researchers around the world are building on this work with initiatives such as the International Centre for Neuroarchitecture and NeuroDesign, a partnership between the Research Institute of Sweden and the University College of London which aims to explore how to make built environments more inclusive.

Here in Canada, design firms such as Mason Studio in Toronto are leading the way with sensory-informed residential and commercial projects. Stanley Sun, co-founder and creative director says one of the core principles of neuroarchitecture is the focus on function as opposed to only esthetics. “[In neuro-informed design,] materials are chosen not only for appearance but for how they perform. Textiles that absorb sound reduce mental fatigue. Surfaces with natural variation are easier for the eye and nervous system to process. Even small decisions, such as flooring transitions or door placement, influence how people move and feel at home.”

Mason Studio’s team also applies lighting strategies that calibrate to support circadian rhythms — brighter, cooler tones for morning and warmer, more diffused light for evening wind-down — for instance, which help improve sleep and energy. In a bedroom at Jing’an Residences townhouse project in Shanghai, Mason Studio’s team applied a continuous marble band along the lower part of the wall around the bed to create a sense of enclosure and security, and directed lighting upwards to create a feeling of warmth and comfort.

When considering layout, Stanley’s team aims for clear sightlines. For example, when designing a corridor at the Jing’an Residences, the team aimed to support intuitive movement throughout the space, helping reduce micro-decisions. They also added quiet zones, away from high-activity areas. “Each tactical choice works together to create a home that supports calm, clarity, and comfort without the resident having to think about it,” Sun explains.

While some may think these details are a luxury, Sun argues neuroarchitecture is an investment that will pay dividends. “In workplaces, the impact is measurable. Improved lighting and acoustic balance support concentration, reduce fatigue, and contribute to lower rates of mental health-related absenteeism.” He believes behavioural design has the potential to save time, energy, and emotional bandwidth across all aspects of life.

Mobini agrees: “When we design environments that support neurodivergent nervous systems, we create spaces that work better for everyone.”

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Weekly roundup of three properties that recently sold in Metro Vancouver.

614 East 14th Ave., Vancouver

Type: Five-bedroom, three-bathroom detached

Size: 2,228 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $1,559,000

Listed for: $1,720,000

Sold for: $1,850,000

Sold on: Oct. 24

Days on market in this listing: Seven

Listing agent: Adam Pospischil at Engel & Volkers Vancouver

Buyers agent: Michele Collins at Royal LePage Sussex

The big sell: According to listing agent Adam Pospischil, ten offers were received for this fully-updated home in Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant community that pushed the final sale figure to $130,000 over the asking price. He cites those recent renovations, the characterful details of the 1910 house, a family-friendly neighbourhood near Robson Park, and a smaller lot size of 2,583 square feet which, he says, put the home at a price point that brought interest from both house buyers as well as duplex buyers. Inside, the three-storey interior features new hardwood floors, upgraded windows, a modern open-plan kitchen, a skylit dining area, a tankless water heater, a heat pump for heating and cooling, and a newly-installed split-level entertainment-sized rear patio bordered by stone retaining walls. In total, there are three bedrooms divided between the main and top floors, while a separate two-bedroom suite resides in the basement.

801 — 651 Nootka Way, Port Moody

Type: Two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment

Size: 891 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $699,000

Listed for: $739,900

Sold for: $730,000

Sold on: October 20

Days on market in this listing: 58

Listing agent: Rod Bahari PREC at Sutton Group — West Coast Realty

Buyers agent: Kyle Rademaker at Royal LePage Sterling Realty

The big sell: This two-bedroom, two-bathroom Port Moody condo is located in the Sahalee development in Polygon’s master-planned Klahanie community. Constructed in 2008, the 28-floor tower comprises 176 units with access to an array of amenities including a tennis court, outdoor swimming pool, exercise centre, gym, party room, guest suite, hot tub, and steam room. This bright corner unit has scenic vistas from every room as well as separated bedrooms, an open-plan kitchen with granite counters and stainless-steel appliances including a gas range, an electric fireplace, and an oversized balcony from which to enjoy the sunsets. It comes with two parking stalls, and a strata that permits pets (two dogs or two cats), and rentals. The unit’s monthly maintenance fee is $451.03, and of note to investors, the apartment achieved approximately $2,650 per month in rent.

2525 West 7th Ave., Vancouver

Type: Three-bedroom, four-bathroom half duplex

Size: 1,531 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $1,818,000

Listed for: $1,725,000

Sold for: $1,855,000

Sold on: Nov. 14

Days on market in this listing: Four

Listing agent: Jessica Chen PREC at Oakwyn Realty

Buyers agent: Mike Rampf PREC and Glenn Feldstein PREC at Engel & Volkers Vancouver

The big sell: Listing agent Jessica Chen reports that this home garnered three offers within the first day of showing with the winning offer coming in subject free at $130,000 over the asking price. The property in question is the front half of a duplex complete with radiant heated hardwood floors throughout, a new boiler/heat exchanger, fresh paintwork, and an attached garage. It forms part of a three-unit pet- and rental-friendly nonconforming strata in Kitsilano near General Gordon Elementary and Kitsilano Secondary schools. The bright open layout on the main floor combines a kitchen with granite countertops and Shaker-style cabinets in a dark wood hue, with adjacent living and dining areas finished with wainscot panelling. There are two bedrooms upstairs served by two bathrooms, while the ground floor has a third bedroom, ensuite bathroom, and french doors that open to a patio garden.

These transactions were compiled by Nicola Way of BestHomesBC.com.

Realtors — send your recent sales to nicola@besthomesbc.com

For more detailed mortgage information, explore our guide to Canada’s lowest national insured and uninsured mortgage rates, updated daily. Related

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