Reject neutrality and embrace the Welsh seaside town aesthetic[1]. Aberystwyth is a good example of a place where the architecture makes it look happier than most towns, it's all bright colours and Victoriana that escaped demolition at the hands of the post-war Brutalists.

[1] https://static.cozycozy.com/images/catalog/bg2/horizontal-ab...

Exactly. The world is too grey to wear boring colours.