In a sense, every room in your home has a personality. The kitchen, for instance, is a place of gathering: it is welcoming, energetic and inspiring. Bedrooms, on the other hand, are calming, steady and comforting. Color is one of the most effective ways to bring out the personality in every room. Sure, neutrals are a safe option, but to make your house really come alive, try experimenting with different colors to create different moods.
This guide will help you start shaping your home’s unique personality. As a rule of thumb, lighter colors will make a room feel larger, brighter and more expansive, while darker colors create an intimate and sophisticated vibe. Keep this in mind when choosing your shades.
Yellow
Quite obviously, yellow is a bright and happy color—there’s a reason those happy faces are yellow! If you’re looking to create a room with an optimistic energy, consider infusing it with yellow accents.
Yellow is a great choice for a kitchen or a play area. Be aware that yellow in large doses can be overwhelming, so use it with caution; think uplifting, not hyperactive.
Orange
The color orange is all about creativity and excitement. If you’re looking to find inspiration in a color, look no further than orange, which brings an enthusiastic energy to any room.
Use orange in a high-energy environment where you go to be inspired: think home gyms and kitchens.
Red
You might have heard that red encourages appetite, which is why so many fast food chains incorporate it into their design. It’s true; red is a color with physical effects, like raising your pulse.
Red creates a collective energy and is known to draw people together, making it optimal for a place of gathering, like a dining room.
Pink
Though it can seem infantile, when used correctly—steer clear of the bubble gum—pink can be calming and warm, provoking feelings of tenderness. A room with pink details can make you feel like you’re being wrapped up in a great big homemade quilt.
Use pink in rooms where comfort is king: bedrooms, nurseries, or even a cozy family room.
Lavender and Purple
Lavender combines the best qualities of both red and blue: restful without feeling chilly, energetic in a spiritual way without overwhelming. Use lavender when you want to create a calming and relaxing effect, like in a bedroom or living room.
A dark, rich purple is decidedly dramatic and sophisticated. Deep purple will give a room a royal treatment, so use it where you want to feel positive regal: the main en-suite or the library lend themselves perfectly to purple.
Blue
Just as red heightens physical reactions, blue has an opposite effect, slowing down the heart rate and lowering blood pressure. It’s no wonder that it emits a serene and relaxing feeling. Many people don’t know, however, that blue is also a color that inspires productivity. It is said to be an intellectual color, enhancing concentration and focus.
As such, blue is ideal for a home office or library. A warmer blue is perfect for a bedroom, but a blue that is too cold or dark can feel sad.
Green
It’s hard to think of green without thinking of nature. Green is a balanced color, emitting a positive energy while maintaining a tranquil feeling. Green is a color of health and is proven to be restful on the eye.
Use green in a bedroom or guest room– a place that can feel vibrant yet calming, all at once.
Achieving the desired mood can be as easy as inserting a few decorative elements, like art, decorative pillows or throws. Take it a step further by adding color via major pieces of furniture or by way of an accent wall. It doesn’t take much, but a little color will go a long way in brightening your home’s personality.
