With the start of a new year many homeowners look to update their homes to provide a fresh start.  This year all signs indicate that homeowners will be even more zealous about making these changes sooner rather than later in 2010 as they seeking ways to overcome the economic negativity that has been overshadowing their lives for the past year.  Changing the colors inside your home is one of the least expensive ways to bring about this type of impactful transformation in a timely and inexpensive manner.  Colors make you feel emotions, so why not make color choices based on the emotions you are trying to evoke in your home?
 
Red.  Red stimulates the body and mind.  It is the color of fire, excitement and alertness—thus increasing your metabolism and blood pressure.  Because red stimulates appetite, food tastes better when surrounded by red.  So it is a great color for dining rooms.  Red can make a person feel passionate and excited.  But beware—too much red can evoke anger and lead to anxiety. Therefore, in rooms where you are trying to create a peaceful, serene atmosphere—use small doses of red in earth tones like brick or terra cotta shades. 

Blue.  Blue acts like red's opposite.  It decreases the pulse rate, lowers body temperature, and reduces appetite.  Blue is found in the sky, water and ice, and thus causes the body to produce calming chemicals, so it is great to use in rooms where relaxation is desired.  Blue creates a more centered, spiritual and inspiring vibe.  Blue hues suppress appetite as “blue foods” are rare in nature and are a sign of poison/toxicity to the body.  Therefore, blue should not be used in eating areas in the home.  People are also more productive in blue rooms, so if you need a little kick in the pants, try blue for your home office or your home gym.  It is also a great choice for bedrooms. 

Orange.  Orange is similar to red, but it is a color that evokes the warmth of the sun versus the fiery heat of Red.  It is a warm, welcoming and autumnal color. It encourages conversation & appetite, and relieves feelings of self-pity, lack of self-worth & unwillingness to forgive.  Orange opens your emotions & is an antidepressant.  Because of these effects orange is the best option for eating areas, creative spaces and those areas where you want to elevate someone’s mood.

Yellow.  Yellow has been proven to stimulate the brain. This stimulation can make you more alert and decisive.  It helps memory and promotes clear thinking, and decision-making.  It is also the harshest color on the eyes, causing tempers to flair and babies to cry more frequently.   Use golden-yellow tones to counteract these negative effects.  With a golden-yellow kitchen, you just might not need that extra cup of coffee in the morning!  Yellow evokes feelings of happiness, optimism, clarity, intellect and wisdom.  As such, yellow is ideal for sunrooms, family rooms and real estate staging.

Green.  Green is often used in decorating for its calming and refreshing effect.  It helps to balance and soothe our emotions—hence the use of “green rooms” in television.  Unlike yellow, green is the easiest color on the eye, promoting a sense of well-being & balance.  It relaxes our muscles and helps us breathe deeper and slower. Green promotes growth, fertility, nurturing and healing—and is growing in popularity with the advent of the “green interiors movement.”  But beware!  Green can also cause laziness so be careful where you use it.  Green is ideal for reading rooms, libraries and bedrooms.

Purple.   Purple is a mysterious color, indicative of rebalancing your life.  It is found in sunsets, darkness and shadows, and is the combination of two complete opposites - red and blue.  Purple can be invigorating or calming, depending on how much red or blue is in the shade.  Purple promotes good judgment, meditation and spirituality.  Use purple in meditation rooms or other areas in your home where you want to feel creative, spiritual or imaginative because it balances the mind. 

Need help finding the right shade for your home?  Let us help.  Contact us today at www.DecorbyDenise.com or 703-714-7343.  We'll pare down the options to develop your custom color palette, tailored specifically to your personality and needs.

Decor by Denise is a full service interior design firm located in Vienna, VA.   With over a decade of experience in the DC metro area, Decor by Denise has been showcased in Home & Design Magazine, Washington Home & Garden, The Washingtonian, Elan and The Washington Post. 

www.DecorbyDenise.com  •  703-714-7343  •  info@decorbydenise.com