Color Theory: When to Use What Colors

Believe it or not, the colors in your home have a psychological impact on your mood. Choose the wrong color for a room in your home and you could suffer the consequences. Before you get started, think about how you want to feel in each space in your house. Once you’ve identified the feeling, apply a little color theory and bring that room to life.

If you want to paint a specific room of your house, read these tips to find out how to design by room:

• Bedroom. If you want your bedroom to feel like a relaxing retreat, incorporate light blue. Studies show that blue can help slow your heart rate and lower your blood pressure, which will help you get to sleep.
• Living room. For an upbeat, happy living room, go for subtle hints of yellow. Bold punches of this color will uplift your mood and fill it with optimism. Too much yellow, though, can make you feel lazy, so choose yellow accessories, but don’t go for allover yellow paint.
• Bathroom. Pale green has soothing qualities, which is ideal for creating a spa-like retreat bathroom. Consider mosaic tiles featuring various hues of green. Remember the details too, like green hand towels and soap dispensers. Balance the green tones with white and to really harmonize the tones.
• Home office. Black represents power and sophistication. Painting a black accent wall in your home office can help motivate you to work. The serious look puts you in the mindset of working towards success. Just be sure to balance the bold hue with white or bright accessories.
• Basement. Avoid the dungeon feeling that basements get by incorporating bright, vibrant colors like orange and gold.

For more information on how colors impact your home, read these tips on specific paint colors:

• Red. Shades of red can stimulate your appetite, which is why you’ll find many restaurants implementing color theory in their interior decor. Keep red out of the kitchen to avoid over indulging. Instead, introduce red in your dining room.
• Blue. Since shades of blue are rarely found in food, the color can suppress appetite – ideal for those on a diet. To take advantage of the calming effect blue can have, choose pale tones of blue for your bedroom or bath. Brighter blues can be energizing, so look for turquoise shades for your office to help inspire creativity.
• Yellow. Research shows that babies cry most in rooms that are yellow than any other color. Although yellow is typically associated with sunshine and cheer, it can instill anxiety in a room. If you want to use yellow in your home, limit it to transitional spaces like hallways and entryways.
• Green. Soft greens that resemble the color of moss act as neutrals and can help make a space, like a bathroom, feel more tranquil. On the other hand, bright greens in citrus tones invigorate a room. To get a jump start on your day, paint your closet or dressing room a citrus green.

Now that color theory has opened your eyes to all the possibilities, call the CertaPro Painters of Stamford CT at 914-245-2260 and get started changing the mood of your home today.