How to Enhance Your Mood with Paint

Paint colors can affect your mood. Color consultant Susan Pike says the power of color goes beyond mere decoration. Color can improve your quality of life.
“Color is a sensation that is created in the brain,” Pike says. “People process color differently. It’s all in how you’re wired.”
While paint color choices may seem limitless and easily overwhelming, Pike says there are really only two choices: “In essence, there are only warm tones and cool tones.” It’s a matter of determining which palette works best with your personality.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• color fan deck
• paint samples
• paint brush

1. 
    
   Soft yellow uplifts without agitating.

   Warm up. If you feel depressed, your house colors may be too cool. “If you are a person with depression issues,” Pike says, “you don’t want to have cool tones.” For people suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder, for example, Pike recommends mood-enhancing warm tones such as yellows, soft reds and oranges. Energizing warm tones convey happiness. But be careful not to overdo it. Bright yellow, for example, can agitate. Look for a softer version of a strong color.

2. 
    
   Cool shades slow the heart rate and lower body temperature.

   Cool down. Are you a fast talker? If you feel antsy, your house colors may be too warm. Consider adding cool shades, such as blue and green. Cool shades slow your heart rate and lower your body temperature. “Find a blue that has its toes dipped in green,” Pike suggests. “That is absolutely satisfying.” And although it is a warm tone, pink is also tranquilizing, as are neutrals.

3. 
    
   Neutrals create a restful environment.

   Stay in neutral. While not the best medicine for people suffering from depression, restful neutrals are great for people who like a calm environment and who like to switch out colors in their furniture and accessories as their mood changes. Neutrals are also the best bet for those planning to sell their homes. Neutrals allow prospective homebuyers to envision themselves in a home.

4. 
    
   Try a color before you commit.

   Sample color. Before settling on a particular color, try it on your walls. Paint a large patch on the wall or on poster board and live with the color for a week. Because light changes our perception of color, the same color may look different at various times of day and in each room of the house. Most people are not afraid of color, Pike says, but of choosing the wrong color. “We all have emotional responses to color,” she says, “so colors can serve as tools to help us feel better.”

Tips & Warnings

• Susan Pike is a color consultant for Valspar, Waverly and House Beautiful. For more tips, visit www.colorbysusan.com.

[sonni57]

on 3/18/2009 That's right paint colors do affect our moods good info.

[SchoolOfLife]

on 3/14/2009 This was an enjoyable article. Look forward to reading more from you. :)

[MommyBear]

on 11/19/2008 Excellent tips! We're thinking about painting our bathroom walls, and this article will help us figure out the best color to use. I'm forwarding this to my husband. Thanks! :) 5*****

[hopekee]

on 10/31/2008 I totally agree with this article. I heard you should never paint a bedroom in bright or bold yellow because it'll make you feel on edge and you won't be able to rest as well. Great tips! FIVE STARS!!

[taskeinc]

on 10/21/2008 I think I'll go with step 2 next time I paint and go with a mild green color to lower the heart rate, also that "green" will indicate CASH money and SUCCESS .. just thought I'd throw that in .. nice article.