The Power of Color in Your Home

Last Updated on February 18, 2020

Color is all around us and whether we realize it or not, it has a subtle but significant effect on our mood and well-being. “Color psychology” is the new buzz phrase today and homeowners are embracing it when they’re ready to choose a new color scheme for the interior of their homes. This year, Classic Blue (No. 19-4052) is the Pantone Color of the Year, but with hundreds of colors to choose from, following these simple steps can make the decision more “palatable.” This month, Granite and TREND Transformations is putting the power of color in your hands by spotlighting the best ways to use color in your home.

• Choose a Small Room or Area: Experimenting with a small bathroom, hallway or even an accent wall is a great starting place if you’re not sure about color. Choose an area that can be painted quickly so that you can see your results right away to determine if it either makes you happy or you need to change it. It’s always a good idea to pick a favorite color from your favorite rug, accessory, artwork, or furniture piece that will “draw in” a color to be used as an accent or the main event. You can make a big impact in a small bathroom by adding some color.
• Determine the Mood of the Room: Selecting the right color or even color palette for a room can have a direct impact on your mood and energy.
  • Master bedroom: When choosing colors for your bedroom, you should ask yourself if you want the feeling to be restful and soothing or more intimate and dramatic. A neutral color palette is usually comprised of cool, soft colors like blues and greens that tend to create a more soothing feeling, and stronger, more vibrant colors like reds and oranges create more intensity.
  • Dining and living rooms: Determine if you want these rooms to have a formal or more social atmosphere. Neutrals and deep blue-green tones create a formal feeling, while warmer and contrasting brighter colors command a fun and social atmosphere.
  • Children’s rooms: As much as parents like to make their children’s rooms bright and cheery, it is best not to choose colors that are too bright, since some have been known to lead to irritability and overstimulation. Experts suggest that some of the best choices are eggshell, light blues, pale yellows and lavenders.

There are so many fun and easy ways to create character in your home just by selecting the right color scheme for you. Whether you’re one to be more monochromatic or have a flair for drama and distinctiveness, here are some different ideas to help stimulate your creative juices to find the best color palette to suite you and your home:

Combining Cool and Warm Colors

This dining room strikes a beautiful balance– thanks to the cool blue accent wall and grey upholstered window seat. The green velvet chair and glassware round out the look while the green throw pillow adds just the right touch of contrast for a dramatic look.

Small Spaces with Big Color

Small spaces can handle deep, bold colors. This small area makes a statement with the deep crimson walls and dark purple curtains while also giving the space a purpose.

Varied Finishes Add Character and Class

Using different paint finishes on different walls in the same room is a creative way to add character and personality. Adding a feature wall of mosaic tile can add vibrance and a focal point to the space, as seen in the kitchen below.

Other color tips:

• Decorate light to dark from bottom to top – your darkest color should be on the floor, slightly lighter on the walls and the lightest color on the ceiling.
• Use colors you look good in – literally look at the color of your clothes and use those as a guide for your interior décor. If you wouldn’t wear anything in forest green, don’t make your living room walls that color.
• Colors next to each other on the color wheel should be used for informal spaces, like blue and green.
• Use the 60-30-10 rule – in every room’s décor, make sure to use 60 percent of a dominant color, 30 percent of a secondary color, and 10 percent an accent color.
• Decorate honestly – if you put colors and décor in your home that represent you and what you like, people will appreciate it and respect it.

Colors naturally evoke emotion. That’s why when you stand in a red room you might start feeling hot. The chart below illustrates why colors evoke certain emotions and which rooms they lend themselves to.

Is your home ready for a color makeover? Let Granite and TREND Transformations be your design partner. Contact us today for your free in-home design consultation to learn more about our beautiful etherium^TM by E-Stone surfaces.