Waking up early and leaving a cosy space is not something to look forward to. But creating an atmosphere that helps you wake up cheerful and not grumpy can make it a whole lot easier. The colours in your home can have a huge impact on your mood. There are certain shades that will make you feel happier, ones that help you relax, ones that suppress your appetite. In this series, we share the top shades that are proven to increase positivity and productivity from Berger Paints, India's preferred choice for Paint Company.

Sage Green for Renewal

A tranquil shade of green adds a calming vibe to any space. Sage is subtle enough to be neutral but prominent enough to set a statement. This hue will give your space a calm, cool and collected look.

Berger Paints, 4D2137 Paragon

Lemon Yellow for Happiness

There is a good reason why yellow is associated with cheerfulness. Yellow is a natural source of positive energy and happiness. Choose this shade of lemon yellow if you want to spread warmth and energy in your house.

Berger Paints, 3A0386 Summer Sun

Peach for Softness

Peachy hues bring serenity to your interior walls. For zen-like quality, peach is a great way to add warmth and light to your home all year round. You can use this charming colour as an accent wall or completely cover your walls; it will instantly transform your home.

Berger Paints, 2T0612 Southwest Magic

Lilac for Mindfulness

Shades of lilac are taking over Pinterest and homes this year, and for a good reason. This colour, while still being understated, adds a calm, serene vibe to the space.

Berger Paints, 6P1290 Lavender Frost

Blush Pink for Composure

Blush or pale pink is a versatile colour for your home walls and when paired with a contrasting colour- especially green can create a bold statement. If you want to create a relaxing yet fun vibe, this hue is a great bedroom colour idea.

Berger Paints, 1P0024 Larkspur

White for Balance

This white living room is a showstopper yet minimal and simple. While most people think white is vanilla, it can, in fact, act as a beautiful backdrop for colourful and bright statement pieces in the house. The perfect example is this living room wherein the pink couch, gold fixture lights and statement tiles beautifully come together to create an understated look paired with the white walls.

Berger Paint, 7P0185 Fabulous White

Painting your house's exteriors might seem like a straightforward process, but there are a few things you need to consider before cracking up the paint. What colours will you choose? Do your exteriors require any prep work? What products will work the best? To help you get started, we spoke to the experts for their advise. Read on:

Check if waterproofing is required

Before you invest time, money and resources into your exterior painting, you need to have your walls checked for water damage. A bad or lack of waterproofing will mean tearing down the new paint to fix the water damage and repaint.

Pay attention to permanent features

Things like the roof colour, brick, stone, pavers, fascia and other elements that cannot be painted or updated needs planning and consideration. In all these elements, you will find different undertones, colours and textures so it is important to think about the exterior painting as a whole instead of randomly choosing elements.

Choose the right product and finish

Low-quality paint isn't designed to stand up to moisture, sunlight and fluctuating temperatures. Choosing a lower quality of paint can also result in cracking, peeling and require regular touch-ups. Some research and planning about the right products and finishes available in the market will ensure your exterior paint has the freshest, cleanest finish in the neighbourhood.

Test colours before painting the entire exterior

Testing the colour samples is a great way to choose and build confidence in your final selection. It makes sense to purchase sample pots in the shortlisted colours and decide on what works the best before investing in full-sized paint buckets. If time allows, leave out the swatches for a few days to see the final result after the paint has dried.

Don't blindly follow trends

Most trends come and go, so when it comes to exterior paint, you need to pause and consider whether you'll be happy with it in five, or 10 years down the line.

Check the weather

Avoid painting outside when the weather has significant drops in day and night temperatures. Also, avoid rainy or wet seasons. Early spring is a good time for exterior painting. Before you decide on the dates for the job, check the weather forecast around the time. Rains before will mean allowing a few days for the walls to dry and rains during or right after will mean fading and uneven drying of the paint.

One of the best ways to make sure the living space looks and feels functional and inviting is to design a layout and floor plan that works best considering the space available at your disposal.

Find the right layout

Start by measuring the living room wall-to-wall, making a note of the length and width of the room. Then measure any furnishings that you have decided to include. Create a rough floor plan using these measurements and experiment with different furniture arrangements that work best for you.

Decide on a focal point

You can create a focal point using any piece of furniture or even doors or windows, TV, fireplace, bookshelf etc. Deciding on a focal point will help with space planning and optimising. Arrange the furniture in a U-shape around the focal point for maximum impact. You can add some artwork on the walls for an added interest and use deep and dark tones for living room wall paint. Consider eco-friendly paint options.

Rearrange storage, cabinets, tables and ottomans

Once the focal point has been set, placing the seating, tables and storage cabinets is next. For a living room, the main coffee table or ottoman can be placed in middle of the sofas and chairs. Ensure there is enough space in between furniture to walk around. Storage cabinets can be placed against the wall, where the space allows. TV and media consoles can be placed under the television. Open cabinets to store books, souvenirs, family photos and decorative accessories look best on large, empty walls.

Add floor and table lamps

A floor lamp can act as a perfect setup. Make sure to position your floor lamps next to a centrepiece or in a corner. Table lamps can help create an ambient setup. Chandeliers should be centred above the main seating area. Spot lighting can also be used to bring attention to artwork, sculptures or statement pieces.

Position your rug

The rug should be centred in the middle of the main seating arrangement. An accent rug in a fun colour or pattern is a great way to add warmth to the space.