The first step in designing any room is choosing a color scheme. The predominant color you choose will set the overall mood for the entire room, creating the ambiance and determining how visitors will feel no matter what furnishings you add after the fact. In fact, color affects our emotions, thoughts, health and even the rest of our senses. Is it any wonder that the color of a room can profoundly affect our lives?
Blue is one of the most popular colors for good reason. It's soothing to the eye and very relaxing. In a room that's decorated in blues, people tend to be more tranquil. They feel less stressed and more at ease and their pulse will go down slightly. This is a color that is ideal for bedrooms and bathrooms if you want the feel of a restful retreat. Blue is also perceived as a clean, fresh color, which is why so many bathrooms are done in blue. Because it is associated with the ocean, it's refreshing. The one down side to blue is that it suppresses the appetite, which is why you'll never walk into a restaurant with blue walls. Psychologists theorize that because there are so few blue foods, we don't associate blue with eating.
Green, on the other hand, is a good dining room or kitchen color. It's the color of lots of healthy foods and is earthy and natural without being too vivid. Green is still relaxing enough to be used in bedrooms but has a touch more warmth and a natural, outdoorsy feel to it that many people like. Many men who aren't fond of blue are very drawn to green, so it's an excellent choice for a restful bedroom or living room.
Yellow is a color that evokes distinctly mixed feelings. People tend to either love it or hate it. Used properly, yellow is sunny and inviting - perfect for a foyer or hallway, where it can lend a sense of light. Choose the wrong shade and you can give people a case of the jitters - it's been proven that more fights break out in bright yellow rooms than any other color. Stick with lighter, creamy shades for the best effect without the anxiety.
Orange can be friendly, inviting and warm. Tuscany shades evoke a welcoming atmosphere that is relaxed and informal. Orange is energizing without being over-stimulating, but it's a shade you have to work carefully with. Done in a rich, warm shade it works well. It's cozy, it invites you in and asks you to be comfortable and stay for a while. But if it's too bright or harsh, it can be draining. For your living room, stick to shades like apricot for a softer focus or light pumpkin for warmth.
Red is the most stimulating color in the palette. It elicits passion, energy, sensuality and intimacy. It even raises blood pressure, increases the heart rate and stimulates the appetite, which is why so many restaurants have red dining rooms. It's also ideal for romance if you want a passionate boudoir, but it won't necessarily contribute to restful sleep. Kitchens or formal dining rooms look wonderful in deep reds, where the energy and appetite stimulating properties will be appreciated. Look for deep, rich shades for the most drama and steer away from bright, jarring shades that may be too close to primary shades that people associate with danger or warning signs. Red can be such an intense color that we recommend using it moderation through carefully selected accents.
Violet or Purple is a color that, like yellow, seems to have a split personality. People almost always have a strong opinion about purple. In its paler incarnations, violet or lavender can be serene and romantic. Darker shades of purple are perceived as signs of opulence, power and drama and can be quite overpowering. Your best bet is to use purple in small doses.
Neutrals can make as much of a statement as colors. Grey, in fact, stimulates creativity, making it excellent for home offices and for kitchens if you like to experiment with your cooking. Just remember to add a warm accent color. Brown is an earth color that is all about security and trust, which is why so many family rooms are based on this color.
Doing a bit of homework into how color will affect you can save you a lot of time and money. Think about both the look you want and the mood you're after. Admiring a paint chip is a lot different than living surrounded by the color day after day – and your mood will tell you in no uncertain terms if that color you chose is making you blue!