True coLors
By Teah Moore
Painting the walls can be a quick way to a make dramatic or subtle change in your home. Your choice of color can change the appearance and the atmosphere of the room. Warm colors like red, red orange, orange-yellow and yellow can create a cozy and intimate feel. Cool colors like green , blue, blue-violet and white can make a room seem more spacious and elegant. One of the most overlooked aspects of choosing a paint color is not the affect it has on the room but the effect has on the body.
Studies have shown that prolonged exposure to certain colors may actually trigger the body to produce a chemical reaction. Did you know the number one color chosen by the restaurant industry is the color red? Is there a connection between the color and hunger? Here’s what researchers are saying about some frequently used colors.
Pink- Bubble gum pink is shown to have a tranquilizing effect on the body. In the 70’s and 80’s the walls of prisons were painted this feminine color hoping it would make inmates passive. About ten years later this same concept was applied in sports.
Yellow - This warm, cheerful color enhances concentration, speeds up metabolism and sparks creative energy. Pale yellow can make a room seem larger. Yellow is also known to stimulate. Babies cry more and people lose their tempers more often in a yellow room. It’s the most difficult color for the eyes to adjust to.
Red – The warmest color, is emotive. It increases breathing, raise the heart rate, stimulate the appetite, and sense of smell. This vibe may work well in a bedroom but could be a little overwhelming for other parts of the house. Deeper tones of red such as burgundy and maroon are better for living rooms.
Green – A relaxing and refreshing color; it is the easiest color on the eyes. Green makes a room seem more vibrant like a garden full of life. This color has been shown to improve vision and increase antigens causing better immune system healing.
Blue- This cool color is the most tranquilizing of colors. Our body responds to blue by releasing eleven neurotransmitters, the results: reduction of temperature, respiration and appetite. Blue softens a bright room an adds a feeling of comfort and serenity.
Orange- This warm color takes on the characteristics of red and yellow having a cheerful effect. This color stimulates learning and the metabolism. A peachy orange has delicate effects. A brownish terra cotta has a cozy effect. Orange is a fun color to play with. Good color for a den.
Perhaps, this information will help you pick the best color paint for your home. As a mother of three boys I’ve made my choice, tranquilizing bubble gum pink it is.