How to Choose a Color for Interior Walls

You have experienced entering a room and feeling a sense of peace and relaxation--or the uncanny feeling that something isn't right. It's often difficult to know what is causing the overall feeling that a room emits. It could be the dominant color of the room. Color affects the human body and can create mood and comfort when chosen wisely. The color you choose depends on the primary use of the room and the mood you want to set.

Things You'll Need

• Color samples

Instructions

1. Consider white in areas where light is low and you want to brighten the area. As a neutral color, you can add accents in any color without worries of colors clashing. Be sure to break up the white with richly colored accents to avoid the appearance of a sterile environment. Off-white creates a softer appearance and is easier to keep clean.

2. Avoid painting entire rooms in red. Red stimulates both the heart rate and respiration and can be overpowering. Red is better suited as an accent color. It can be used successfully to paint one wall of a room.

3. Consider shades of pink for a relaxing room, but be aware that it may cause the occupants to lose energy. Sports teams often paint locker rooms for opposing teams in pink in an attempt to cause the team to lose energy and be less aggressive.

4. Choose shades of blue to create a peaceful nook. This is a great color for a reading room or an area where family and friends can sit and listen to music or read a favorite book. Dark blue can be depressing if not decorated with lighter features to lift the mood.

5. Select greens for a calming and refreshing area. It's relaxing for the eyes and can improve vision as it brings the essence of nature into the room. Dark greens symbolize wealth.

6. Avoid painting large areas with yellow. Although it's considered a cheery color, it can be hard on the eyes and actually causes more conflict. It does improve concentration, so it may be effective in a work area if it's not too bright and is decorated with accents to break up the color. Babies who sleep in yellow rooms tend to cry more than others do, and family members argue more in yellow rooms.

7. Select browns for masculine rooms but avoid painting entire rooms in deep dark browns, as it can create sadness. Shades of brown are often used in a study or den.

8. Use caution with purple. Although it can be used effectively to express a romantic mood, some shades may make you appear superficial, as purple does not occur naturally in nature except for in a few flowers. Use plenty of accents if you choose purple.
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Tips & Warnings

• Advertisers use color to influence spending. Hospitals, schools and correctional facilities use color to influence behavior.

Resources

• Effects of Color