Blue Monday - Spread Some Happiness Using Colour Psychology
- Su Whale
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
The third Monday of January is labelled as ‘Blue Monday,’ a date not based on scientific fact, although it was first suggested by a health psychologist before being taken up as a marketing tool by a travel company. Despite that, January is genuinely a very difficult month for many, with the combination of short days, the post-Christmas slump and seemingly weeks to go before pay day.
So how can we cheer up our customers (and ourselves) in these dark, dismal days? Without a doubt flowers bring happiness, whatever the season or time of year, but there are certain colour combinations that have been proven to work especially well when it comes to lifting the spirits and letting a little light into people’s lives.
Lift the mood
Colour psychology has shown that specific colours can boost moods, improve focus and even change energy levels. 52% of people associate yellow and orange with joy, so look to a cheerful palette of yellow, red and orange to inspire happiness, passion and optimism. Temper with green foliage and balance the bolder colours using the 3/5/8 ratio to avoid eyewatering clashes.
Provide an oasis of calm
Despite it being named Blue Monday, the colour blue itself doesn’t have to depress, it can be a relaxing and mindful shade, add in cream, lemon and green for a restful combination. Wrap bouquets in plain tissue or undecorated cellophane tied with raffia or an organza bow to enhance their simplicity.
Using colour psychology in the shop
How you arrange your indoor and outdoor display can also help to boost your customers mood and so hopefully their spending as well. Bring your warm, bright colours to the fore, organise them in colour blocks and check that your overhead lighting is illuminating them correctly.
To cheer – yellow
To invigorate - orange
To relax – blue
To calm – white
Outside, if you have the space, place buckets of orange tulips, yellow daffs and pots of cheerful flowering bulbs either side of the door. While other shops are filled with sale items and the dregs of Christmas leftovers, make yours a place where customers can recharge their batteries and give themselves a much-needed boost.
Su Whale is a florist and freelance writer with over thirty years' experience in the floristry industry. She is the author and publisher of three best-selling books: Cut Flowers, 4th edition (2020) Cut Foliage, 2nd Edition, (2021) and Houseplants (2019), all bookshelf essentials for the professional florist.
