Understanding Color in Design

Home is where most of us spend a large part of our time. Making your home more attractive to your eyes can also make your home comfortable. Decorating your home can be challenging. If you are unsure where to begin, this can make your task for comfort difficult. One of the best cost efficient ways to start is by using color. By using paint to color your walls, counter tops, or ceilings you can create a cost efficient way to update an existing space.

You may want to start by asking yourself what your favorite colors are. Go to your local paint store and find some colors that are appealing to your eyes. Take home some of the paint swatches, after all, they are free. You can try picking colors that you have associated in your furnishings. If your painting a room in your home you may want to try a neutral or a lighter shade off your swatch. If you use a neutral color you can pop some bold color in your curtains, pillows, or furniture. If your still unsure of which colors to use or your starting your design from scratch, then I hope this information helps you choose your color palette. Here are some effects that color can have on your mood.

The color white symbolizes purity and innocence or sterility. White is considered a summer color in fashion. It is very popular in decorating because other colors combine with white wonderfully. It is light, neutral, and goes with everything. White is a great color to use for trim work or old cabinets that are out dated. It brings a clean and new feel to a room.

The color red is the most stimulating color. This color is known to speed up a heartbeat. Perhaps this is why it is known as the color of love. Red is known to work against relaxation. So if your going for a peaceful or relaxing environment, then red is not the color for you. When decorating with red it is almost always used as an accent color. For example, in pillows, curtains, or accessories. If you use red furniture in your room this furniture should be perfect in style. It will attract a lot of attention. It could become a focal point in the room.

A few shades from red is the color pink. This tranquilizing color is used in baby nurseries and is very popular in design for little girl's rooms. It is also known as the romantic color.

Blue is one of the most popular colors. The color of the sky and ocean causes the opposite effect of red. It is known as the peaceful and tranquil color. Blue causes calming chemicals in the body. For this reason, it is used in bedrooms because of the effect. Others may see this color as depressing. People are known to be more productive in blue rooms. This color could work well for offices or gyms.

Green is the most popular color in decorating. It symbolizes nature and wealth. Green is the easiest color on the eyes. It has calming and refreshing effects in a room. Hospitals often use green because it relaxes patients.

Yellow is a cheerful and optimistic color. Yellow can be used as an attention getter. It enhances concentration and can be overpowering if overused. Too much yellow in a baby nursery is known to irritate babies and make them cry. It is the most difficult color for the eye to absorb.

Purple represents royalty, luxury, sophistication, and wealth. This color is rare in nature which can appear artificial in some design. Yet, it has a romantic and feminine effect. Too much purple can be overbearing. This color is rich when used in design the right way.

Brown is known as the color of earth because it is abundant in nature. Brown is one of the colors that men claim as a favorite in design. Brown is known to be wistful and classic.

The color black is the color of power, authority, or submission. For example, judges wear black robes to show their authority. Black is stylish and timeless in a room. When it is used the right way it is not overbearing. As an accent color it is fashionable.

Hopefully now you can understand how color can affect your mood. An understanding of color, not a big budget, is what gives you the knowledge to create a great color scheme. There are many shades of of colors you can check out at www.sherwinwilliams.com or www.benjaminmoore.com/