The first step in the use of colour is to understand the psychological effects it has on us. Red is known to stimulate the appetite - so it’s an excellent colour for dining rooms. Both blue and green are fresh and calming. They are the colours of nature and could be popular choices for bedrooms. Yellow and orange are energizing like the sun, so are good choices in rooms where your energy may need boosting - the kitchen perhaps. Orange in its toned down terracotta form can be ideal in a home office; it has the energizing effect of both red and orange but isn’t so bright that you won’t be able to stay at your desk!
Many contemporary television programmes have made a virtue of the use of bold colours in wild combinations: violet and lime green; turquoise and red-orange; orange and fuchsia. But before you splash out on several gallons of grapefruit yellow and olive green paint for the bedroom, consider carefully whether a violet and lime green living room is something you can live with.
Many new and traditional homes are decorated in various shades of beige (I think "taupe" is the current fashionable term), Subtle, muted wall colours (like off white and taupe) are fine, and very easy to live with. But you can still enliven them with bright highlights in your accessories and upholstery. Consider a multi-coloured rug, candles, some coloured ceramics or glassware, vivid prints or paintings, or squashy cushions in jewel tones. The overall effect will be airy and soothing yet the flashes of colour can bring in your personality and be your signature touches.
You don't have to be afraid of colour, even a person who lists "black" as their favorite colour like me, will find that introducing a burgundy valence and candles into a computer room can open a wave of creativity. Here is a list of colour options and how adding each to your home will influence its positive energy. For how to use colour in combinations pick up a cheap colour wheel in your local art supply store and have fun.
Check out my previous post entitled "HOW TO USE THE FIVE ELEMENTS OF FENG SHUI TO CREATE HARMONY IN YOUR HOME" for more help with deciding what colours are best for what rooms.
White- Innocence, peace, protection, purification, purity, sincerity, truth
Red- Courage, exorcism, health, lust, passion, protection, sex, strength, vigour
Dark Red- Mental power, thought
Pink- Femininity, friendships, honour, love, morality
Orange - Adaptability, attraction, authority, changes, courage, encouragement, luck, peace of mind, power, strength, stimulation
Yellow - Attraction, concentration, communication, confidence, creativity, divination, imagination, intellect, learning study, wisdom
Green- Ambition, employment, fertility, financial matters, growth, luck, money, nature, prosperity, rejuvenation, success, wealth
Light blue- Happiness, healing, patience, relaxing, serenity, soothing, tranquility
Deep blue- Change, flexibility, healing, psychic powers, relaxing, soothing, the subconscious
Dark Blue (Navy)- Banishes depression, relaxing, soothing
Purple- Ambition, healing severe diseases, home protection, idealism, meditation, power, spirituality, success, wisdom
Lilac- Tranquillity, the astral plane
Brown- Animals (especially healing), concentration, conquering indecisiveness, emotional stability, practicality, study, the home
Grey- Neutrality, privacy, removal of negative influences, stability
Black- Absorbing and destroying negativity, banishing evil, banishing negativity, breaking curses, healing severe diseases, resilience, self control,
Silver- Intuition, Moon magic, the Moon Goddess, visions
Gold- Attraction, charm, confidence, cosmic influences, intuition, life force, longevity, magnetism, persuasion.
Kenaz,
