Using Color to Enhance a Room's Mood

A person's mood can be affected by many things. You have probably noticed before that you feel differently depending on your atmosphere. Many factors play into your mood, and the way you feel is greatly impacted by your surroundings and what you perceive with your senses.

Do you have a place that makes you feel relaxed? Odds are good that one of the reasons you feel comfortable in this place is because of the colors around you. Although it might seem strange, colors can make a huge difference in how a room feels to you. Because of this, all of a room's furnishings and their appearance can make up the overall tone and feel of an area. This includes paint, furniture, decorations, window treatments, and more.

To create a particular mood in a room, there are many things you can do. The very first step is to decide how you want the room to feel. Is it a place to relax, to eat, to entertain, or to have fun? What you plan to use the room for will impact your color choices for that area.

If you are trying to create a space that you want to feel a particular way, you should carefully consider what color you paint the room and what other colors you use to decorate. Here are some ideas that can help you choose which colors to use to create a mood:

• Warm Colors. Red is a bold and striking color to use in a room. This color, along with oranges and yellows, can add warmth to a room and may bring up low spirits. While these colors may not be the best choice for a bedroom since they are so bright, they can look great in a kitchen or living room. When it comes to these bright hues, however, you may want to use more muted shades since they can be a bit too bold for most.
• Cool Colors. Blues, greens, and other cool colors work well for the bathroom or bedroom. Cool colors often have a relaxing effect on people, and can help you calm down after along day. Whether you want to be surrounded by subdued, cool colors while winding down with a nice bath or as you fall asleep at night, these colors offer a sense of peace and can help you calm down.
• Neutral colors. While neutral colors are not as stimulating to the senses, they can be a good way to go if you just want a room to look simple. White shades, light tans, and browns, for instance, look good with almost any furnishings and are not overwhelming to the senses.

If you are painting or redecorating your home, take colors carefully into account. The addition of certain colors in a room can really make a difference to your mood.