Which colour will light up your life?

Introduce orange to a room and the effect is immediate. Warm, welcoming and cheerful, orange conjures up thoughts of sunny days, freshly picked fruit, old-world Tuscan villas and golden autumn leaves. Paint your walls orange and you may just find that the room becomes instantly cosier. This is because orange advances, making it the perfect hue for brightening north-facing rooms that don’t see much natural light.

Pair bright orange shades like pumpkin, tangerine and carrot with a cool crisp neutral palette to create a bold yet sophisticated look. Pale, soft shades like apricot, coral and peach are better suited to large areas with good natural light, like expansive living areas or kids’ rooms. After all, what is orange but a touch of sunshine all year round?