Design Tip of the Week (8.25.08): Colors, Colours, Couleurs!

Color can have a significant effect on how you feel both mentally and physically. This is why it is very important to think through the colors you use in your house to create an agreeable color palette that meets all of your needs. Here are some of the basics in the psychology of color:



*Cool colors, located on the blue side of the color spectrum, are often described as calming. Certain shades of tranquil blues actually cause the body to produce calming chemicals and can also reduce a person's pulse rate. This is why blue is a very popular bedroom color.



Green is also a common color used to cool and soothe the mind. Hospitals tend to use light green in their rooms to provide a calming effect on the patients. Green is also the easiest color for the eyes to process.



Another functional use for cool colors is to open up a space. Cool colors recede from view so it makes the walls feel like they are further away. This is a good tip for those trying to create the illusion of more space in their homes.



*Warm colors, located on the red area of the color spectrum, creates a cozy feel and brings warmth into a room. Colors such as reds, oranges and yellows are used to create energy in a room.



Yellow is associated with optimism and concentration, but be warned, it can sometimes be hard on the eyes.



Red is the most energizing colors on the color wheel, it has been found to raise blood pressure. Warm colors are also appetite stimulants, this is why you will find these colors in many kitchens and restaurants.

P4D will follow-up with this posting to present more interesting facts on color and how you can use it effectively in the home. We will profile individual colors and share with you how these colors effect your psychology as well as the best ways to use them.
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