How to Use Colour Psychology to Boost Bookings

How to Use Colour Psychology to Boost Bookings-100

How to Use Colour Psychology to Boost Bookings-100

How to Use Colour Psychology to Boost Bookings

Learn how the right colour psychology can turn browsers into bookers.
Discover the subtle colour tweaks that make guests feel instantly at home.

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Ever wonder why some vacation rentals just feel better than others?

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It’s not just about location, fancy coffee machines, or how many scatter cushions you can balance on a bed.

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It’s colour. Yep—good old, sneaky, mood-swinging colour.

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And if you’re thinking, “Colour? Really?”—stick around. Because I’ve got a tip at the end that could actually increase your bookings by 30%.

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🎯 First Impressions Start with Colour

You’ve got 7 seconds. That’s all it takes for a guest to decide whether they like your space. Not your amenities. Not your Wi-Fi speed. Your vibe.

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And colour sets that vibe.

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Imagine walking into a rental drenched in dark grey and beige. Feels like you’re staying at a dentist’s office, doesn’t it? Now imagine a space with soft blues, warm neutrals, and a cheeky pop of yellow. Feels like a holiday.

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📌 Quick Fact: Blue is the most universally liked colour worldwide—it evokes calm, trust, and rest.

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👉 What colour dominates your main living space right now?

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💡 Colour Isn’t Just Decor—It’s Psychology

Let’s break it down like your favourite playlist:

  • Blue = Calm, trustworthy. Great for bedrooms and bathrooms.

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  • Green = Relaxing and fresh. Ideal for countryside rentals or nature-themed spaces.

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  • Yellow = Energetic and cheerful. Perfect for kitchens or entryways.

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  • Red = Passionate, but intense. Use sparingly—maybe a vase, not a feature wall.

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  • Grey = Neutral and modern. But overdo it, and your place will feel like a corporate waiting room.

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🛌 Bedrooms: Go Soft or Go Home

In your “Launch Your First Vacation Rental” course, we talk about creating spaces that feel restful. Colour plays a massive role in that.

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Cool tones = sleep success.

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Blues, soft lavenders, and warm greys help guests wind down after their day of wine-tasting, hiking, or wrestling with a toddler on a long-haul flight.

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🚨Pro Tip: Stay away from bright red or orange in bedrooms unless you want guests waking up like they’ve just downed four espressos.

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👉 Which colours are in your bedrooms—and do they invite sleep or insomnia?

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☀️ The Power of Light + Colour

Lighting changes how colours behave. Natural light makes white walls feel fresh. Fluorescent light makes the same white look yellowed and sad.

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Ever had a guest message you that your “bright and airy” living room looks like a cave? That’s lighting + colour gone rogue.

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Try this:

  • Use warm bulbs in lounge areas

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  • Add dimmer switches where you can

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  • Balance cool colours with warm lighting to avoid that “hospital ward” vibe

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And yes, fairy lights still count as a design feature (and mood booster).

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📸 Make Your Photos Pop (Without Filters)

Instagram isn’t your rental’s best friend because it’s free. It’s your best friend because it sells experiences.

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A colour-savvy design helps your property stand out in the feed.

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Add an accent wall. Throw in a teal pillow. Hang art with bold colour blocks. Suddenly, your listing isn’t just “3-bed, 2-bath.” It’s a place with personality.

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And let’s face it—personality books faster.

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🌈 How to Choose Your Colour Palette (Even If You’re Colourblind)

Here’s a simple rule:

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Pick one base colour, one neutral, and one pop. That’s it.

Example:

  • Base: Soft sage green

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  • Neutral: Warm ivory

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  • Pop: Burnt orange or mustard

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Stick to this throughout the space for flow. Don’t let every room feel like it was designed by a different cousin at a family reunion.

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Need help visualising it? Tools like Canva or Coolors.co let you play with palettes without painting a single wall.

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🎯 BONUS TIP (You waited for it!): Listings with cohesive colour palettes receive 24–30% more engagement. It’s not magic—it’s psychology.

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Running a rental isn’t just throw pillows and hashtags.

The “The 7-Day Vacation Rental Jumpstart” download helps you automate, price smart, and host like a pro.

Get your copy now!

You can find a link in the show notes.

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Are you more “tranquil blues” or “bold jewel tones”?

Let me know in the comments.

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Here Are Your Key Takeaways

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In Conclusion

The psychology of colour isn’t just for artists or branding experts. It’s for hosts who want their guests to walk in and go, “Ooh, this feels nice.”

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It’s a shortcut to better reviews, better photos, and better bookings.

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Ready to dig deeper? The Launch Your First Vacation Rental course has a full module on design that goes way beyond colour. Check it out.

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 And if you’d like to check out another episode similar to this, try Elevate Your Vacation Rental Digital Marketing Secrets To A Full Calendar. Episode 19. You can find it on the Vacation Rental Resolutions website.

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🎉 Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a tip that could bump your bookings. And hey, if this post helped you—buy us a coffee?

If your rental plan is ‘just wing it’—this is your wake-up call.

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