Color in Your Home

Our homes are our sanctuaries. They can keep us safe and protected from the stresses of the outside world. They can help us "recharge" after a long, tiring day at work. In our homes we can really be ourselves, away from the pressures and demands of the rest of the world.

Color affects us physically, mentally, and emotionally. In the outside world we're pretty much at the mercy of the environment we happen to be in at the time. At home, though, we can choose what surrounds us. We can use colors to create the atmosphere that helps us feel the best. Here are some tips for using color to make your home a better place to live.

Think about the purpose of each room
Most of the rooms in a house have a specific purpose. The dining room, for example, is for eating; the bedrooms are for sleeping. Keep these purposes in mind when you're using colors.

Warmer tones, like red, orange, and yellow, are more active, and are best for rooms with more activity, like living and dining rooms, and playrooms. Cooler tones, like green and blue, are more relaxing, and good for bedrooms and other areas where you're trying to unwind or calm down.

Remember, too, that you don't have to use the pure tone of a color all the time. Red, for example, can be overpowering, even in a room where there's a lot of activity. Try using a lighter shade of that color instead.

Consider everything in the room
It's easy to think about walls, floors, furnishings, and other large areas of color. But don't forget smaller sections and items, like curtains and decorations. Everything in a room will contribute to the effect the room has on its occupants.

Balance warm and cool shades
You don't need to use a lot of different colors; many shades of the same color can be just as effective. For example, dark blue can be restful in a bedroom, but too much can actually be depressing. Add other shades of blue - pastels, for instance - to the darker shades.

Use natural light as much as possible
Natural light contains all the colors of the spectrum, so it's the best choice for vision as well as physical and emotional well-being. Think about the source of the light. Is it sunlight coming through a window, or is it artificial? There are bulbs available that produce full-spectrum light.

Colors can affect the amount of light in a room, so consider those as well. Lighter colors - those with more white in them - will reflect more light, making the room brighter. Darker colors, on the other hand, absorb more light, making the room darker. You can use colors to affect the quantity and quality of light in a room.

Consider all the people using the room
Everyone likes and dislikes certain colors. If the people living in your home have color preferences that are very different, it's a good idea to use neutral colors in the rooms they all use. You can use accents, like wall hangings or small decorations, in the colors people like, so they'll feel more comfortable there.

If a room is used by one individual most or all of the time, as is the case with a bedroom or office, that room can contain more of that person's preferred colors. They'll feel more at ease there, and their colors won't upset the others in the household.

Final thoughts
Color is an excellent way to create a home that suits you and the people you live with. It doesn't have to involve a lot of work, and it's easy to change the colors when needed.

Take a little time to make sure the colors in your home are the ones you like - and need. It will help you feel happier, and your home will be more than just a "place to live" - it will truly be a sanctuary .