The emotions of color

colourlovers.com

Sure,  you like that particular shade of whatever color,  and you want it in your kitchen.  Before you run down to the home improvement store for the experts to mix you up a gallon, and to get the perfect brush,  tapes,  and rollers, you might want to read about the emotions in color.  What colors are a dieters enemy, what colors can cause frustration, and so much more. 

We all know that black makes you look thinner.  You may need to keep that in mind if you paint your kitchen red.  The color red is the passion color, which would be great in bedrooms and boutiques.  It has been said to increase a person's energy, and blood pressure.  Closely related to Red is Pink, which is more of a romantic color.  Other feelings red can stimulate can include energy, danger, and power.  This is a strong color, and best used as an accent.  When painting the walls, consider using a brownish red.

Orange stimulates our creativity.  It is warm and inviting, and considered to be easier on our eyes than colors like yellow.  Orange also isn't as bright as red.  This color would be great in a child's room also.  This welcoming color, like red, has been known to stimulate passion.  Other colors in this group can include melon and salmon, which can also generate lively discussions.  If the orange has a pink tint to it, you will add an element of intimacy.  Like red, orange can increase the appetite.

The next color is yellow.  This stimulating and playful color is often seen in places like preschools, kitchens, and bathrooms.  It is a hard color for the human eye to focus, and has been known to cause fatigue.  It has also been known to cause it's viewers to become agitated and angrier quicker, so be sure to avoid putting this color in the nursery.

Green is a very calming color often used in places like hospitals and hotels.  Some variations of green create other emotions as well.  A blue-green can be considered restful and yellow-green add's refinement.  Greens can invite interaction, and the darker hues add a masculine characteristic.

Blue can depress desire, which is the opposite of red. Blue is often seen in children's rooms, and rarely in restaurants.  It is a soothing color, and can suppress the appetite.  Blue is also a color often associated with cleanliness and freshness, so consider using this color in the bathroom or the kitchen.    

Brown, the neutral and comforting color, typically is combined with other brighter colors. This color is best for the walls, and use some of the other colors as accents.

Purple symbolizes royalty.  Look at the Sacramento Kings!  The darker shades make bold statements, and the lighter shades are considered more feminine.  Mauve's can create feelings of sadness.

Black is an elegant color, which gives you a bit of a classy feel.  Often used as accents, or for contrast.  This color on the walls can make spaces feel very small, and like purple, depressing.  A good tip to know, if you want to lower that really high ceiling, dark colors like black can bring it down.  Also, if you have a really long and narrow room, paint the far wall a dark color like black to shorten it up a bit visually.