The Magic of Color

Deciding what colors to use when decorating your house can be a real challenge. Do you want a soothing atmosphere, vibrant or warm and cozy? The choice does not have to be complicated if you understand the workings of the theory of color.

As many colors as there are out there all come from one of the colors of the rainbow: red, yellow, orange, green, blue, indigo, violet and black and white.

These colors are divided up into two categories:

Primary Colors: red, yellow and blue. They are called primary because they are pure and no two colors were mixed to create the color. Secondary Colors: orange, green, and violet. They are called secondary because they are mixed from two of the primary colors.

There are also two types of colors within the color wheel:

Harmonious Colors: Colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. Blues, green, blue-green and aqua all lay next to each other and work well together in any room to create a comfortable harmonious atmosphere. Contrasting Colors: Colors, which are on the opposite side of the color wheel. Red-green or blue-orange contrast each other but will complement each other and will create a vibrant intense atmosphere.

Colors can have a powerful effect on the feel of a room. These are two of the "moods" created by certain colors:

Cool Colors: The right hand side of the color wheel is made up of such colors as greens and blues. These colors will create a cool calm mood. They will also make a room look smaller so avoid using too much in smaller rooms Warm Colors: The left-hand side is made up of reds, oranges and yellows. These colors will create a warm, cozy and bright mood. The closer the color you chose is to a primary color the brighter it will be so mix the bright with some softer shades.

There are other factors to take into consideration when choosing colors:

Pastel Colors: Pure colors that are muted by a white color.

Subtle Colors: Pure colors darkened by mixing gray or black

Neutrals: Colors that do not contrast and can mix well with most colors. Examples are white, creams, beige and browns. They are often considered earth colors.

Tones: The tone describes the lightness or darkness of the color. It is best to use a variety of tones in a room rather than just light and dark.

Colors can make all the difference in the look and the feel of a room. You don't always need to renovate, maybe you just need to color, so experiment and have fun.

(for web reprints please ensure the URL is hyperlinked)

Cass Hope has been a writer for over 5years. Cass regularly contributes to online and offline publications in a variety of areas. Her articles and stories are all based on thorough research and personal experience.She is currently sponsoring this site: http://www.interiordecorating-online.info

---

Heirloom Decorating

I love to surround myself with things from the past.... Read More

What Should You Know About House Flooring

Having a nice house is everyone dreams. In fact, everybody... Read More

Freestyle with Metal and Format: The Milan FuoriSalone 2005 event.

This Italian lifestyle project, underlined by the aroma of espresso... Read More

Looking for a Butcher Block Table?

Butcher Block Table - A Working Piece Of FurnitureA butcher... Read More

Bathroom Vanities and Cabinets Come in Many Different Styles

Modern bathroom vanities and medicine cabinets come in a huge... Read More

How Do You Choose Art for Your Home?

You have just moved into a new home. Perhaps it's... Read More

Go Vintage When Decorating Your Hearth

With the weather cooling, it's time to put on the... Read More

Furniture Slipcovers ? The Cheap and Easy Way to Give Your Furniture a Makeover

Are you tired of the look of your furniture? Do... Read More

Decorating with Table Fountains

With unlimited possibilities available, table top fountains can add understated... Read More

Buying Custom Wood Blinds

Window and door blinds on windows and doors are chief... Read More

Feng Shui Decorating Guidelines

The importance of following feng shui decorating guidelines.Feng shui decorating... Read More

Displaying Posters: Some Ways You Never Thought Of

How many ways can you display posters? With the easy... Read More

Color Psychology: The Joy and Pain of Yellow

Warm and luminous like sunlight, the right shade of yellow... Read More

Your Heritage and Personal Decorating Style

Ethnic traditions, customs, and attitudes carry forward our family values.... Read More

A Baker?s Rack: Always A Favorite

When it comes to home accessories, baker's racks have long... Read More

Common Waterbed Sheet Materials

Several materials are used to make waterbed sheets. Waterbed owners... Read More

A Look at Luxury Down Comforters

For those striving to create a bedroom retreat, a haven... Read More

Choose The Right Colors and Placement For Your Flowers

Some people have a natural artistic ability when it comes... Read More

Custom Mini Blinds

In the mini blind market, you have three types of... Read More

A Guide to Duvet Covers

A duvet is a type of bedding, similar to a... Read More

Decorating on a Dime

Decorating your home and office can be a challenge if... Read More

Interior Decorating and Home Decor With Inuit Art from the Arctic North

In order to help give a room a classier touch,... Read More

The English Grandfather Clock Tradition

Like the storied countryside of England, grandfather clocks from that... Read More

A Review of Popular Massage Chairs

With so many massage chairs available on the market, where... Read More

Gourmet Fruit Gift Baskets

Gourmet fruit baskets quickly emerged as a way to deliver... Read More

An Introduction to Bamboo Flooring

A little known fact: bamboo is technically not a tree... Read More

Persian Area Rugs - Tabriz Rugs are a Fine Choice to Enhance Your Room?s Décor

Tabriz rugs are made in the north western part of... Read More

Creating A Cozy Spot

Having a warm & cozy spot to snuggle up is... Read More

The Benefits of Ozone Air Purifiers

Ozone air purifiers or "ozone generators" are known for their... Read More

Finding a Bamboo Flooring Supplier

Bamboo, a type of grass that grows all over China... Read More

An Introduction to Down Comforters

Down comforters are one of the more popular ways of... Read More

Keep Things In Order With A Written Home Decorating Plan

Begin your written plan by choosing one room to start... Read More

A Look at Computer Desks for Children

Children's use of the computer has increased tremendously. To meet... Read More