Mar 11, 2009: Color Your World

We all have been cheered by the vibrant yellow of a daffodil and or stirred by the deep red of a rose. Each color elicits its own emotional response. Incorporating color into your everyday surroundings can bring stress-relieving positive emotions into your life.

Blue is a calm and soothing color. Think of the ocean or a clear morning sky. Bring peaceful meals into your dining room with a pale blue tablecloth. Navy blue is a strong color associated with wisdom, and is great as an accent in a home office.

Another strong office color is black, associated with money and stability. Something as simple as adding a picture with a black frame and navy mat can make a room feel professional. A silver and black throw pillow might be overpowering in a quiet living room, but just the right touch to power-up an office.

Many of us paint the interior of our houses some variation of off-white, and that’s great. White is another calming color, and works especially well with metal color accents. Try a silver vase against a white wall, or a silver frame for a favorite family photo.

We often shy away from purple for decorating, but used in the right way, it can add a deep serenity to a room. Think of the purple vestments worn by clergy in some churches. My favorite way to add purple is through flowers. Deep purple irises in a silver vase against a white wall – ahhh.

Blue, black, white, and purple are the colors of relaxation and peace. At the other end of the spectrum, literally, are the colors of action and vitality: red, yellow, and orange. Too much of these colors may make you feel anxious, so use them as accents.

My daughter always paints one wall of her dining room a deep red. Red is an energetic color of courage and respect. While a rambunctious household might want to avoid the stimulation of red at mealtimes, for quieter folks, a red wall may be just the ticket to liven up dinner. If you’re not feeling quite brave enough for a whole wall, red is great for accent pillows, picture frames, placemats, and candles.

Yellow is a color of health and life. Perk up a corner with a green leafy plant in a bright yellow pot. Orange is a great color for creativity. A bright orange desk in a child’s room will say, “Use your imagination here!”

These days none of us has a lot of money to redecorate. Keep your eyes open for a small item in the right color. It may be just the perk-up your room needs.