Are you considering a home renovation but short on cash? Or are you simply tired of the neutral colors in your home? Adding color to your home can quickly and significantly alter a room’s appearance. Achieving the desired color palette for your home from over 300,000 color options, however, can be a daunting task. Below you’ll find a color refresher course, some information on how color can affect mood, as well as what paints to use to ensure a healthy color makeover.
Color 101
Primary colors – red, blue, and yellow form the basis of the color wheel and make up all other colors.
Secondary colors – orange, green, and violet are created by combining primary colors (yellow and blue make green).
Intermediate colors result from mixing primary and secondary colors; the six intermediate colors are yellow-green, blue-green, blue-violet, red-violet, red-orange, and yellow-orange.
Neutral colors – black, white, and gray are not on the color wheel but affect the value of color (see below).
Color Characteristics
Value – also known as a color’s tone or shade, is determined by the addition of neutral colors. The color blue, for example, can range in value from a pale sky blue (by adding white) to a dark navy blue (by adding black).
Temperature – is a color’s warmth or coolness. Reds, yellows, and oranges are considered warm colors, while blues, greens, and violets are generally considered cool colors. However, since yellow (a warm color) and blue (a cool color) make green, there are elements of both warm and cool hues in green.
Intensity – can range from dull to bright. Saturation is the intensity of color; rooms that are even in intensity will appear larger because consistency within color saturation lacks dimension.
Color Representations
Colors represent different things to different people and cultures. When decorating your own home, it’s best to consider how you respond to the colors you see every day, as well as the climate you live in and the ultimate objective you wish to achieve.
Yellow is the color of the sun; therefore, it is commonly associated with light, joy, and optimism. Yellow is an excellent wall color for basements and dark hallways.
Red attracts a lot of attention. That’s why it is used on stop signs and lights. It is also the warmest color on the color wheel. It is known to raise one’s blood pressure, heart rate, and appetite; consequently, it’s a popular choice for dining rooms.
Orange is another warm color that attracts attention; however, it tends to be less dramatic than red and more welcoming. It presents a good choice for family rooms and living rooms.
Blue is cooling and calming. Often associated with the sky and the sea, blue can lower one’s pulse and body temperature, as well as reduce one’s appetite. Thus, blue is a great color option in bedrooms and living rooms, but typically a poor choice for kitchens and dining rooms.
Green is also calming; it is the color most often associated with nature and therefore a color most people feel very comfortable around. Greens can be used just about anywhere in the house.
Violet has long been associated with royalty and the exotic. Violets with stronger blue hues inspire creativity and imagination while warmer violets, like magenta, are passionate and intense.
Eco-friendly Ways to Add Color to Your Home
AFM Safecoat offers a full range of environmentally responsible paints and primers, including zero-Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) options. For more information visit afmsafecoat.com.
Yolo Colorhouse offers 40 zero-VOC hues that are specifically designed for interiors and inspired by our natural world. For more information visit yolocolorhouse.com
By Steven B. Williams
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