Have you ever noticed you really feel like talking when sitting in a red room? Or that you get a bit hungry when surrounded by orange?

If so, you’ve noticed firsthand how colors can affect our mood, even our desires.

Keep this in mind as you decide on colors for rooms you’re planning to paint. In fact, you should decide what kind of mood you want to evoke in your room and then decide on a paint color.

Let’s look at, for example, yellow. Probably conjures feelings of warm, happy days, right? And it does. But did you know that too much yellow can actually irritate your eyes? The shade of yellow you choose also will be affected by the time of day and how much direct or indirect sunlight reaches the room. (In fact, once you’ve decided on a color, it’s a good idea to paint small sections of each wall of the room to see how the color looks over the course of a day as well as how it looks on the sunny side of the room compared to the shady.)

So as you’re choosing colors, think about what kind of mood you want the room to exude. Will this room be a gathering place for lively parties? Or will it be a quiet, peaceful place to rest?

Colors and their “moods.”

Blue is the most popular color in the U.S. It evokes a sense of calm and most people associate it with the ocean. Blue can make a small room look larger — the lighter the blue, the more open it will feel compared to how it would look if you were to paint than it a darker blue or navy.

Green usually is associated with “growth.” Even though green is easy on the eye, it’s a bit more invigorating than blue. But green still can have a calming effect.

Earth tones can give your room a “grounded” feel and can help promote a sense of intimacy among those in a room. Tan and brown (softer hues of these colors) evoke “family.”

Reds and yellows are vibrant colors and you may want to avoid large “doses” of these. Red is invigorating (it’s great for conversations!), but it also can lead to conflict.

A soft pink can be lovely in a room – it can help people feel gentler towards each other. Once again, however, go easy on the pink, especially if you elect a wild pink.

No matter what paint color you choose, make sure you give it some thought. It is especially hard to go back and paint over a bold color on your walls.

About the Author: Aaron Garcia is a home owner who has painted his house, both inside and out. He has also been involved in other home remodeling projects such as installing new kitchen cabinets, building patios & walkways and installing new appliances.