You may wonder why walking into a room can make you instantly feel relaxed, or why you might suddenly feel anxious or irritable when entering another room. The difference may be subtle but still you notice. In fact, others likely notice it too. It’s a condition brought about by the psychology of color, and the way if effects your eyes, brain and mood. Professional home decorators know that they can create a relaxing atmosphere in one room, or an energetic quality to another room, simply by painting them different shades.

Businesses also know that room color enhances their ability to sell products. The psychology of color has been well-researched, and businesses rely on pastels and earth-toned colors to relax and create a conducive environment for shopping. On the opposite end of the scale, businesses like health clubs and some sports stores know that by coloring walls with bright colors, they can create energy and enthusiasm.

The psychological effect of room color is not lost on the homeowner. Blue is known to bring down blood pressure slow respiration and heart rate. You can color any room in your home with blue and benefit from it. However, bedrooms, and quiet dens probably benefit the most from blue.

Green is another color conducive to relaxation. It is considered the most restful color to the eye. Green has an almost universal acceptance and goes well almost anywhere in the home. Green can cool down a kitchen and at the same time invite you to stay as it chases away dark feelings. Yellow is a good compliment to green. It chases away the blues, captures the essence of sunshine and invites happiness. Kitchens are perfect for yellow. If it’s too much, use green accents to tone it down.

On the other end of the spectrum, red invites participation. It raises energy levels and chases away melancholy. It works particularly well at night and is perfect for a recreation or party room. Red has been shown to raise blood pressure, speed respiration and heart rates, the direct opposite of blue or green. Red comes in lots of shades, crimson is probably the best of the reds for interior decorating, it imparts a bit of warmth without being too loud. Bright candy-apple red should be limited to smaller rooms to prevent it from becoming overwhelming.

All colors behave in predictable ways; active, passive and neutral. You can test this for yourself. Go on a walking tour of businesses or homes with drastically different color schemes. Judge for yourself where you feel the most comfortable, the most irritated or the most relaxed. Chances are the bright reds and yellows will make you active and energetic. The blues and greens, may be a bit more passive. Neutral colors can be earth tones and pastels. These subdued colors may not have much effect on your psyche at all.

For home decorating, there are other things to consider when choosing color. Dark walls make a room seem smaller, and light walls make a room seem larger. If a room feels claustrophobic, lighten it up. If it feels cavernous, darken it.

When choosing room color, remember that color choice is a personal matter. You know what you like. You’re the one who has to live with it. Choose colors that suit you and illicit the type of mood you want.

Emily Elizabeth is a home improvement and health blogger with a particular passion for discovering how simple changes in the home can create vast differences in mood and overall feeling. She also enjoys learning about natural medicine and therapies like self hypnosis and subliminal cds.

By: Emily

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