How Decorating Colors Affect Your Mood
Kathy Burns-Millyard has written How Decorating Colors Affect Your Mood and writes "Many people don't always realize this, but the colors you choose for decorating can have a very strong influence on the mood that room creates.
The color blue for instance, creates a very calming, relaxed feel. Red however, can get people very talkative, excited, and even sometimes angry or agressive. By decorating your rooms with these colors, you can influence how people react when they're in them. These are real responses - both physical and physiological - directly related to the color of the room a person is in..
The mood effect created by room colors is at its strongest when you've painted the walls a particular color. And this is why color choices should be considered first when you start planning to redecorate. If you really want to decorate your bedroom in a sexy vibrant red for instance, understand that it might generate reactions you weren't intending.
One way to use a great color in your decorating theme without having the full effects of the color, is to go for a milder approach. Try using the color as your primary for example, with furniture or accessories instead of the walls. Or use that color for accent pieces only.
When planning color schemes for various rooms in your home, you need to consider your own personal preferences, how you'd like your guests to feel, and what atmosphere you'd like that room to have.
Blue for instance, since it has a calming affect, can help you sleep better if used in the bedroom. Green has a similar affect, though certain shades of it can convey wealth or even jealousy too.
Red is a great choice for the dining, family, or other gathering room in your home. It stimulates appetite and conversation, so it can help to naturally liven up gatherings you have with friends and family. I'd caution you to be careful with the shade of red chosen though, because it can stimulate passion, hatred and agression as well.
Yellow is a wonderful happy color that I personally love using for kitchens. Soft pastel yellows seem to enhance the beautiful morning rays of sunlight, and can help you wake up while having your morning cup of coffee. Orange is another vibrant color that can go well in a kitchen or morning room, but be aware some shades of orange will actually cause headaches. Using a muted orange is wonderful though, particularly when mixed with shades of brown, to create an autumn feel.
There are many variations of color shades, and sometimes even small differences can change the entire mood of a room when they're used for decorating. It's helpful to know the basics, but if you're thinking of an unusual color for a decorating theme, you might want to research the particular color or shade just to be sure it won't inadvertantly create an undesirable mood for the type of room you'll be using it in.
© 2007, Kathy Burns-Millyard. Want more great decorating tips and ideas? Visit The Do It Yourself Home Decorating Network at DIYHomeDecorating.com.
