Updating a room? Want to bring some new energy into your home? A brush, a roller and a strategically chosen color can accomplish a lot.
There's no scientific consensus on the psychological effects of different shades of paint, but plenty of interior designers – and Feng Shui practitioners – play by a few basic rules when decorating.
There's no scientific consensus on the psychological effects of different shades of paint, but plenty of interior designers – and Feng Shui practitioners – play by a few basic rules when decorating.
- Green – It's associated with relaxation and growth, and green can be used to create an atmosphere that promotes a calm state of mind. Cool shades of blue achieve a similar effect, especially when combined with design elements related to water.
- Red – Want a call to action? Paint the room red! Symbolizing fire, energy – and some say hunger – red can be effectively toned up or down to achieve specific goals. For example, the darker shade of burgundy expresses richness and sophistication; a bright, apple red is associated with passion.
- Yellow – It's an open invitation. Yellow is considered disarming and joyous when it's bright – and even when it's muted it evokes an energetic response. Use this color in a reading room or office where your mind is stimulated.
- Orange – Increase your creativity and action with orange. In its bright shades, orange can be a great mood-setter for a room where you expect company to gather and fun-loving times.
- White – If you're looking for a light, airy place to promote order and clear thinking, choose white. If it's too stark, consider adding an accent wall of a muted earth tone to warm the room.
- Black – Used well, black can be dramatic. It represents introspection and the mysterious, but for most people, it's a challenging color. Unless you're sure it's what you want (or are willing to repaint if necessary) it's best to stick to black for accent colors, especially in a white room, where it helps create a timeless, grounded feel.
Experimenting with color can be fun, but bold paint choices aren't usually recommended if you're selling your home.
That's when you can turn to the Gelderman.ca Team for guidance. We can advise you on what buyers in your area want and what they don't want. In many cases, the safest color for a home for sale is a neutral shade with the broadest mass appeal.
If you're selling your home, you probably should save the experiments for your new place.