How to Best Color Your Home

Color is everywhere around us -- it's ubiquitous. And when it comes to your home, while there is no hard and fast rule about what the best and worst colors are, there are definitely things you should take into consideration before you whip out the paint brush. Did you know that blue is calming as well as an appetite suppressant? It's often considered a poor choice for the dining room. When choosing colors, knowing the psychology behind them can go a long way towards successfully decorating your space.

Black

You don't often run into a house that is painted black. If ever? Black is associated with power, elegance, formality, death, evil, and mystery. Not the best choices when it comes to representing the space you live in – unless you're going for the haunted house look – but once Halloween is over a much needed do over will be in store. Black is the most mysterious color, connoting fear and the unknown . . . things that are often negative. Black is also considered a very formal color, elegant, and oftentimes prestigious. Think black Mercedes. On a person, black is timeless and stylish, and makes the wearer appear thinner. At the same time, villains such as Dracula drape themselves in black.

White

One of the most common colors found in homes, white symbolizes innocence and purity. It's a summery color that reflects light, and is very popular in decorating and fashion. The color of all things good and clean, white suggests simplicity and safety. White is found in hospitals and among charitable organizations, is associated with angels and weddings, and connotes a good start.

Green

Green is the color of nature, growth, freshness, harmony and fertility. Green is often associated with things that are safe, and has a strong emotional tie to healing powers. They say that green is calming and restful to the human eye, and can improve your vision. Because it helps relax patients, hospitals often use the color. Darker green is conservative, masculine, and implies wealth. Green is a hugely popular decorating color.

Yellow

Yellow is one of the most attention grabbing colors. Its sunny and bright disposition is considered optimistic, yet babies cry more often in yellow rooms. It's a difficult color for the human eye to absorb, and if used too much, it's quite overpowering. Yellow enhances concentration and mental activity. It also speeds up metabolism.

Blue

Blue is also intensely popular. It connotes loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith and truth. Blue is as calming as green, and is said to have a slowing effect on human metabolism -- the opposite reaction as red. Blue is peaceful and tranquil, and causes the body to produce calming chemicals. Blue is a popular choice for bedrooms. It has been shown that people are more productive in blue rooms, and that people in blue gyms are able to lift heavier weights. However, blue is also associated with cold and depressing things.

Red

Red is a highly emotional color, and one of the most intense. Red is seen as a stimulating color, which can raise your heart rate and breathing. It is also the color of love. Items in red get noticed more -- cars and clothing for example. Those who wear red can appear heavier, and red cars are a hot target for thieves. It's the color of fire and blood, and is associated with energy, war, danger, strength, passion and power. Red is highly visible, which is why it is the color of stop signs, stop lights and fire equipment. Red is a fabulous color for grabbing attention, and is good for stimulating people to make quick decisions. It's heavily associated with advertising and restaurants. As far as decorating your home, red is primarily an accent color.

Purple

Purple is the color of royalty. It's associated with luxury, wealth, sophistication and ambition. Purple conveys extravagance along with creativity, independence, dignity and mystery. Purple isn't often found in nature, and many people consider it to be an artificial color.

Brown

Brown is one of the most reliable colors. It is the color of the earth, and is abundant in nature. Brown is a genuine and warm color, yet can be considered sad or wistful. It is one of the more serious colors, and displays stability, structure and support. It's also considered the color of material security and the accumulation of material possessions. If you want a comfortable and warm home, brown is the color of choice. While brown is comforting and stabilizing, green is balancing and rejuvenating -- the two colors most abundant on the planet -- a perfect harmony.

Knowing the effect of colors, it can be easier to choose which ones to adorn your living space with. Each room in the house calls for a different use, which will call for a different color. The lighting and size of a room will also have a part to play, as well as your own personal preferences. The bedroom for example, calls for more relaxing colors such as blues, greens and earthy tones. Reds, yellows and other intense shades aren't the best choices as they stimulate rather than calm. When you're choosing a color for the kitchen, it can be wise to use the color of the cabinets as a guide. Popular choices are earthen tones such as brown, yellow and peach.

Hughes Real Estate Group is Boise, Idaho's leading real estate team. Whether you're a first time home buyer or seasoned investor, we can help you find the home that fits both your needs and wants. Search homes and properties for sale throughout Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Nampa, Caldwell, Kuna and Star. There's no limit to the number of ways you can get connected to Idaho homes for sale. Don't hesitate to try out our innovative and comprehensive online search tools as you work toward gaining your real estate goals.

Contact Hughes Real Estate Group anytime to discuss your next Idaho home at (208) 571-7145.