You may have heard that color can affect your mood. That some colors are calming and others energizing. Choose colors that you like that help create the mood you want in each room of your home. Don’t worry as much about trends, but instead think about how colors make you feel.

Colors can be active, passive or neutral. And, as you probably know, light colors can make a room feel bigger, while darker colors can feel cozy.

RED: Red raises energy levels. You may enjoy red in a dining room or living room to stimulate conversation and togetherness. Red can create strong impressions in an entry way or as an accent wall. It has been shown to raise blood pressure and speed respiration and heart rate. Some people find it too stimulating for bedrooms, but, depending on the shade, it could stir passion. Too much red can cause anger or irritation.

YELLOW: Think joy and sunshine. Yellow is popular in kitchens, as well as dining rooms and bathrooms — anywhere you want energy and high spirits. Some shades of yellow in smaller spaces (hallways, etc.) can feel expansive. But yellow can be too bold as a main room color. People are shown to lose their tempers more in a yellow room. And, beware of gender neutrality — some babies cry more in a yellow room! It is a color (like red) that can create frustration and anger, and is the most fatiguing on the eyes.

BLUE: Unlike red and yellow, blue can be calming, relaxing, serene. It’s recommended for anyplace you want to be relaxed, like a bedroom or a bathroom. Brighter shaes of blues are great for spaces where people gather. Moderate shades of blue are best — Too light or too gray and it can really ice down a room. It’s good to balance light blue hues with warm tones. Too dark and the color can bring on feelings of sadness.

GREEN: It’s considered to be the easiest color on the eye. Green is restful, combining the refreshing qualities of blue with the cheeriness of yellow. This may be why green furnishings are always so popular. Medium tones cool a kitchen. In family rooms, green can encourage relaxation but also warmth and togetherness. Green is believed to reduce stress, and can also increase fertility.

PURPLE: Dark purples are dramatic, regal and sophisticated. Purple inspires creativity, but also denotes luxury. Light purples can bring some of the same relaxing qualities of blue, but seldom feels chilly thanks to it’s warmth.

ORANGE: This color is exciting and bold. Use orange sparingly in your house — it’s not great for bedrooms, but perfect for an excercise room or perhaps an office. Ancient cultures used orange to improve lung function and raise energy levels.

NEUTRALS: Colors such as black, gray, white and brown are essential in decorating. Some neutrals are trendier than others at different times. Some believe every room needs something black to help ground the space. You can use these neutrals to modify the feelings a color can create — to lighten or darken a space, make it warmer or cooler.

We got this idea from an old article at freshome.com. Read the article.

Learn more about color:
The color wheel.
www.colormatters.com

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