WHAT IS COLOR PSYCHOLOGY?

Image: Mario Gogh

Simply put, color psychology is the study of how color affects our mood and behavior. Many studies have shown that certain colors tend to inspire certain emotions. For example, blue is widely considered to be soothing, yellow happy, green nurturing, and so on. However, it’s not an exact science. Everyone’s response to color is unique. Your background, culture, personal history and taste will affect the way you react to certain colors.

IS COLOR PSYCHOLOGY THE SAME THING AS COLOR THEORY?

Image: Ivan S

No, although both are often used in interior design. Color psychology looks at the effects that colors have on our mood, feelings and behavior. Color theory is more about the properties of colors and how they interact with each other.

HOW TO USE COLOR PSYCHOLOGY IN YOUR HOME

Image: Imad Clicks

Let’s say you want to create a specific feeling in each room of your home, and you decide to do that with color. Before you go all in and color drench every surface of every space a different color, take a minute to think about how those rooms and colors relate to each other. Do you really want to live in a multi-colored collection of cubes? If that’s a yes, you do you. For the rest of us, Houzzwire suggests we “Use the 60-30-10 Rule: 60% of the room should be a dominant color, 30% a secondary color, and 10% an accent.”

Another thing to consider: All colors—even those in the same family—are not created equal. This is where color theory comes into play. As a rule, warm colors lift the mood while cool colors are calming.

WHICH COLORS WORK BEST IN WHICH ROOMS?

Image: Joseph Perez on Unsplash

Hold that thought. We’ll have room-by-room suggestions in our next post.

FUN FACT

Image: Kelly Sikkema

Ever wonder why most pencils are yellow? That’s a case of color psychology in action. See Why Are Pencils Yellow? The Story Behind the Color Choice for the story.)

To learn more about color psychology, check out these articles:

• How Color Psychology Affects Moods, Feelings, and Behaviors
• The Psychology of Color: How the Shades Around You Impact Your Emotions
• Color Psychology Chart: How Colors Influence Emotions

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RED

Image: Graham & Brown

Red walls are nothing to be afraid of. Not when 2026 offers beautiful shades like Divine Damson (pictured), Graham & Brown’s 2026 color of the year, which they describe as “luxurious yet comforting.” If that’s a bit too dramatic for you, check out Benjamin Moore’s Dinner Party, “a deep, understated red that can be used in everyday spaces…” For something that leans a little browner, Glidden’s color of the year, Warm Mahogany, is “a rich, grounded red that’s bold enough to draw immediate attention and reserved enough to make a timeless statement.” None are ‘flag red’ but any of the three would be stunning in the right location.

WHITE

Image: Protek Painting Services

Crisp and clean, white was a classic long before the modern farmhouse trend swept the country. It can stand alone, but also plays well with others, whether you pair it with its opposite like the beautiful white and black home above (a recent ProTek project) or use it with subtler shades.

While “white” may seem like an easy choice, be warned: when it comes to paint, “white” options are in the thousands. Here’s a thought: Pantone’s color of the year, “Cloud Dancer.” Pantone promises that their white “is a shade that can adapt, harmonize, and create contrast, bringing a feeling of airy lightness to all product applications and environments….” You can have color-matched in your preferred paint at places like Lowe’s or Home Depot.

BLUE

Image: Benjamin Moore

According to BobVila.com, “blue is well-known as America’s favorite color…”  No arguments here, especially when it comes in so many beautiful shades. (Yes, we’re also counting all the teals and grays that lean blue.) While blue may not be the first color that springs to mind for a kitchen, according to Benjamin Moore, “Blue kitchen cabinets offer a charming blend of sophistication and renewal, adding a fresh vibrancy to the space.”  Something to think about the next time your kitchen needs a refresh.

ALL OF THE ABOVE

Image: HomeDesignLover.com

Of course, your patriotic color scheme doesn’t have to be limited to paint. There are many ways to include USA’s theme colors in your home. You can make it a seasonal thing with items that come and go—pillows, throws, themed art objects, etc.—or a year-round choice. After all, red, white and blue look good together no matter what month it is. Need a little inspo? Check out these 20 Living Rooms with Blue, Red and White Accents.

Remember, when you’re ready to paint your home, contact us. We’ll make sure the finished project looks picture-perfect, no matter which color you choose.

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Here’s a thought: Before you pony up for a complete gut job, take a hot minute to consider if paint is all you need. Paint can be a transformational, budget-friendly update that is both faster and easier than a remodel (especially if we do the painting for you). Paint can make your place look…

UPDATED

Image: Benjamin Moore

Here’s one example: it’s easier to bring your kitchen into this century than you might think. Those dark wood cabinets that were all the rage in the nineties will look completely different painted in a beautiful color. That stark, all-white kitchen might just need a little bit of color to make it more inviting. Would you go with something subtle like Benjamin Moore’s Steep Cliff Gray (pictured above), or amp up the drama with a bold contrasting color?

BRIGHTER

Image: Behr

Now that we’ve survived the umpteen shades of grey era, isn’t it time to bring a little more color into our homes? It doesn’t have to hurt your eyes; a calm-but-interesting color combo like Behr’s Dainty Lace and Urban Nature (pictured) is lighter and brighter without being obnoxious about it.

P.S. Did you notice that the closet doors in the image do not match either the trim or walls, making the closet look like a custom built-in?

COZIER

Image: ProTek

Light and bright is not always the answer; dark can be elegant, inviting and cozy. A moody color can make a room feel like a hug. But before you go to the dark side, consider the amount of light in the room. In the one pictured above—a recent ProTek project—the dark walls are balanced by the big window, light floors and built-in cabinet. Even if you’re going for a cave or speakeasy vibe, you’ll want to make sure you can see where you’re going so you don’t trip over the furniture.

FRESHER

Image: ProTek

Sometimes your current color is already perfect, it’s just showing signs of age. Colors fade; nicks happen. A fresh coat of the existing color can make a surprising amount of difference. If your walls are still good, a new coat or color on your trim might be just what you need.

MORE ‘YOU’

Image: Sherwin Williams

Just because your walls are a “perfectly good color” doesn’t mean it’s perfect for you. If it doesn’t make your heart sing, paint over it. The paint police will not come to take you away. Pictured: Fresh Eucalyptus from Sherwin Williams.

When it comes to home decorating, paint is your friend and so are we. If your home needs a fresh coat or color, for whatever reason, contact us for a consultation. We’ll harness the power of paint and put it to work for you.

If you’re not ready for a remodel but you’re really hankering to break something, try a rage room where you can smash things to your heart’s content (and someone else handles the cleanup).

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BEFORE YOU HEAD TO THE PAINT STORE

Image: Cottonbro Studio, Pexels

Take a long hard look at the room you want to paint. Is it on the north or south side of your home? North-facing rooms tend to get cooler color of light, so colors with a warm undertone generally look better. The opposite applies to south-facing rooms. Speaking of light, does your room get a lot of the natural kind or do you rely on artificial lighting? That will also affect the way a color looks.

Now you’re ready to dive into the world of color. Once you’ve found some you like, it’s time to …   

GO HOME AND GO BIG

Image: Angi.com

Don’t even think about making a final decision on a wall color from a tiny square on a paint color card. That’s a good place to start, but once you’ve narrowed it down to a few favorites, you’ll need something bigger. Many paint companies have apps that allow you to upload a photo of your room and virtually paint it. That’s a great way to narrow the field but remember that the color on the screen may not be an exact match to the color in real life.

You can buy stick-on color samples (like giant Post-it notes) that are about a foot square. You can move them around without leaving marks on your wall, but the texture won’t be the same as your wall, and texture matters. The best option? Buy a sample or quart of your top contenders and paint a big ol’ area of each of your walls—like two-to-four feet tall and wide big. Then, once you’ve got some color on your wall …

TAKE YOUR TIME

Image: Natalie Vaitkevich, Pexels

First, give your sample area(s) time to dry. You might need two coats depending on the current color. Then live with it for at least a couple of days. Why? Your mood can affect the way you see the color. Other members of the household may have opinions that could sway yours. You could change your mind. Remember, paint in haste, repent in leisure. While you’re pondering your choice …

LIGHT IT UP

Image: Pixabay

Study your color options at different times of day and in different lights. Daylight vs. artificial. Morning vs afternoon. It can make a huge difference. The color that makes your heart sing in the morning may become a “what was I thinking?” shade by evening. Finally …

BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR

Image: Blogspot

Are there other colors in adjacent rooms that can be seen from this one? Will your new color play well with the one “next door” or will it clash? If contrast is what you want, that’s perfectly fine. Just make sure you know how much contrast you’re getting to avoid a shocking surprise.

Don’t worry, you’ve got this. It’s just paint, after all. When you’ve made a decision and you’re ready to take the plunge, contact us to take your chosen color from dream to done.

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When it’s chilly outside, there’s no better place to be than a nice, warm, cozy kitchen. If your kitchen’s current look leaves you cold, check out the top trends we’re seeing in kitchen colors.

NOT (ALL) WHITE

Image: Pinterest

According to Houzz, all-white kitchens are out and color is in, though the non-white alternatives are a mixed bag of paint colors and wood tones. Off-white still has a place in homeowners’ hearts, as do white upper cabinets paired with wood or colorful lowers.

LEAFY GREENS

Image: The Savvy Folks

Emerald green and other jewel tones are moving away from out of the kitchen spotlight and heading backstage into smaller spaces like pantries and bars. This year, designers are into nature-inspired shades of green that help bring the outside in.

STAINED WOOD

Image: HomemadeGraceful

Likely a continuation of the “bring nature inside” trend we’ve seen over the last few years, stained wood cabinets are moving up the charts. These are not the deep, dark cabinets of the nineties, though, as medium-to-light wood tones are favored.

WARM NEUTRALS

Image: Pinterest

Warm neutrals (think mushroom, stone and putty) are at the top of several lists—and not just for cabinets. Refreshing a kitchen’s walls can make a huge difference at a fraction of the time, effort and cost of changing the cabinet color.

SOFT BLUES

Image: ApartmentABC

Soft blues are also predicted to be popular. It’s no wonder: depending on how and where they’re used, dusty or powder blues can evoke a calm, cottage feel or a cool, modern vibe. And who doesn’t want to feel calm and cool while they’re cooking over a hot stove after a long day?

When you’re ready to spice up your kitchen’s color scheme, contact us for a quote. Together, we can make your kitchen look delicious­­—whether you actually cook in it or not.

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GET ORGANIZED (FOR REAL THIS TIME)

Image: Container Store

Try it, you’ll like it! At least, you’ll like the result. If the thought of tackling this kind of project makes you want to go hide under the covers until the urge passes, these hacks for storing your holiday items are a good place to start. Then check out our general tips on organizing for other parts of your home. For extra credit you can tackle the garage.

GO ALL IN WITH COLOR

Image: Marie Flanigan Interiors, photography Julie Soefer

Color drenching—painting walls, trim and ceiling all one color—is a trend that looks like it’s going to stick around and we’re loving it. Before you grab a roller and go to town, you’ll need to make some decisions…like which type of paint to choose. (The sheen can make a big difference to the final look!)

REDECORATE WITH THINGS YOU ALREADY OWN

Image: interiordesign.lovetoknow.com

According to people who track these things, one in five Americans included financial goals in their NY resolutions last year. Here’s one way to save money: before spending shelling out on new décor, shop your house before clicking the “place your order” button. Here’s how.

ADD PIZAZZ TO A CLOSET

Image: Next Luxury

So, your home looks fabulous, but you still have the itch to redecorate something? Or you don’t have the time or money for a big project but would like to do something to add a little flair. Look no further than your closet.

GET PROFESSIONAL HELP

Image: Kaboompics.com

Design help, that is. Sometimes the best design decision you can make for your home is to call in a professional. Before you do, check out these 7 tips for working with an interior designer. FYI, you don’t necessarily have to do your own painting, either. Like mama used to say: just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. Why don’t you put down that paintbrush and contact us for a quote?

DECORATE WITH JOY

Image:  Novus Decor

“Love and joy come to you…” the Christmas carol says, and 2026 could be the year for joy to come to your home décor. Ingrid Fetell Lee, designer and author of Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness, says, “A joyful home is the foundation of a joyful life.” See her thoughts on how to make your home joyful.

Happy new year!

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HIDDEN GEM BY BEHR

Image: Behr

Behr describes Hidden Gem as “a smoky jade that embodies an air of mystery and sophistication” and promised it will create “spaces that feel both grounded and alive.” It’s a color that speaks in hushed tones—definitely there, but not pushy.

WARM MAHOGANY BY GLIDDEN

Image: Glidden

More outgoing than Hidden Gem, Glidden says Warm Mahogany is “bold enough to draw immediate attention and reserved enough to make a timeless statement” and claims it’s suited for “any style, any space, any mood.” A good option for places where you want to make a statement, but don’t want to shout.

MELODIOUS IVORY BY DUTCH BOY

Image:  Dutch Boy

When you want the attention to be on the items on your wall rather than the wall itself, Melodious Ivory may be just the color to make your heart sing. Dutch Boy calls it “a timeless, creamy shade that makes your space feel effortlessly you” with a “nostalgic, elevated vibe.”

WARM EUCALYPTUS BY VALSPAR 

Image: Valspar

If you feel the need for comfort and reassurance—and these days, who doesn’t?—consider adding Warm Eucalyptus to your home’s color scheme. “This is a color that encourages restoration and resilience,” says Sue Kim, director of color marketing at Valspar. “Its warm undertones create a grounded, welcoming mood while drawing inspiration from nature and the familiarity of retro design.”

ANTHOLOGY: VOLUME TWO BY SHERWIN WILLIAMS 

Image: Sherwin Williams

Not content with choosing just one color (maybe they couldn’t decide?) Sherwin Williams offers up four palettes of colors for 2026 in what they’re calling “Anthology: Volume Two.” Grape Mist (shown) is from the Frosted Tints collection of “icy tinted pastels in whispers of blue, green, and purple.” Other options include Sunbaked Hues (“natural clay, buttery yellow, and intensely enriched red”), Restorative Darks (“deep, nocturnal colors” that “make a quietly compelling impact”) and Foundational Neutrals (“the most essential neutrals of the moment”).

SPECIAL WALNUT BY MINWAX

Image: Minwax

Did you know? That “color of the year” designation is not just for paint. Stain colors go in and out of fashion as well. For 2026, Minwax offers up Special Walnut, which Lisbeth Parada, their Color Marketing Manager, says was “inspired by the comfort of familiar spaces and the charm of reclaimed materials,” and designed to help you “slow down, try something new and create with confidence.”  

There you have it: the 2026 Colors of the Year. Do any of them strike your fancy? If so, make the process of applying it as calm and comforting as the color and leave the painting to us. Contact us for a consultation today.

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LINOLEUM FLOORS

Image: BBFrosh.com

When you dream of tile, but you’re stuck with dated linoleum and not much money, Kristin’s bathroom floor transformation may be just the inspiration you need. Plus, she offers great tips and advice for making sure your project comes out the way you want it to. Will it fool people into thinking it’s actual tile? Probably not. Does it look a thousand times better than it did? The pictures above speak for themselves.

See how she did it.

WOOD FLOORS

Image: Alisa Burke

Anyone who lives in the South has seen more than a few wood plank floors painted a solid color. It’s a good look that works well in many spaces. But what if you want to jazz up a space with a custom rug that (bonus!) will not slip, slide or trip anyone? Pull out the paintbrushes and follow Alisa’s example. But first—unless pawprints are your design motif of choice—put up the cat.

See how she did it the first time and how she updated it a year later.

CERAMIC TILE FLOORS

Image: Bright Green Door

Oh, those lovely, trendy cement tiles. They’re beautiful, heavy and expensive. Get the look for a fraction of the price—with no demo!—by painting existing ceramic tiles instead. Jess at Bright Green Door ordered custom stencils for her project, but these days you can probably find what you need at a craft store near you.

See how they did it.

SUBFLOORS

Image: Suburban Rustic

What do you do when your carpet can’t be saved—and needs to go right now—but you can’t afford to replace the floor? Take a leaf from SuburbanRustic.com and paint the subfloor to look like wide-plank flooring. What have you got to lose? You can always cover it up later, when budget allows.

See how they did it.

CONCRETE FLOORS

Image: Amber Oliver

Painted porch rugs have been popular for a few years now, but you don’t have to make things complicated with fancy stencils and multiple colors. Something as simple as wall-to-edge stripes can cheer up a space and add a pop of personality to an otherwise boring slab of concrete—in just one weekend.

See how they did it.

If you read this far and are now raring to paint your floors yourself, go for it! On the other hand, if you love the look but not the thought of DIY, contact us to do the work for you.

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But using the same color doesn’t necessarily mean using the same finish, or sheen, of paint on every surface. Which one should you use where? The answers are below. Note: Experts recommend buying all of your color drenching paint types from the same brand, as color-matching may or may not work in this application.

FLAT

Image: Benjamin Moore

Flat paint is most often used for ceilings, for good reasons. It has finish that’s a little on the chalky side and doesn’t reflect light. That means it can help hide any imperfections (especially when viewed from below) but also makes it hard to clean. Since most of us don’t wipe down our ceilings on a regular basis, the masking abilities tend to outweigh the cleanability factor. If you’re thinking of painting your ceiling yourself, check out How To Paint A Ceiling In 4 Easy Steps from Benjamin Moore.

MATTE

Image: Color Concierge

Matte is a little bit glossier than flat, but you may not be able to see the difference. This finish is a little easier to clean (wipe-able but not wash-able) but is still best used for low-traffic areas. That said, some designers have gone all in with Matte and painted everything with it, as shown in the image above.

EGGSHELL

Image: Dulux

Eggshell is a popular choice for walls. It has a slight gloss, which reflects a bit more light than the previous two options. Eggshell is more durable and easier to clean than flat or Matte but still helps hide small imperfections. It also tends to be a little less expensive than another popular choice for walls, Satin.

SATIN

Image: DesigningIdea.com

Satin is Eggshell’s shinier, tougher sister. It’s not as good at hiding imperfections as Eggshell because it reflects more light, which can highlight dings and dents. It’s stronger and easier to clean, though, which makes it an excellent choice for high-traffic areas and bathrooms.  

GLOSS/HIGH GLOSS

Image House of Brinson

Gloss (and its bestie, High Gloss) are the shiniest sheens in town. They’re highly reflective, easy to clean and can take more punishment than the other sheens. That makes them great for baseboards, doors, built-ins and any features you’d like to highlight, like the decorative trim in the image above. (The walls pictured are Farrow and Ball’s version of Eggshell, which they call “modern emulsion.”)

On thing to consider with Gloss is that it does have a way of emphasizing imperfections, so you might not want to paint everything in the room with it. Then again…you might. Check out this room in all its glossy glory:

Image: Marie Flanigan Interiors, photography Julie Soefer

If all this talk of shine and sheen has your head in a whirl, don’t worry. Just contact us. We’re experts in paint types and application and will be happy to drench your room in any color you choose.

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IF IT’S TOO DARK, LIGHTEN UP

Image:  Glidden

That seems like a no-brainer, doesn’t it? While you might also benefit from better/brighter lighting, the easiest way to freshen up the look of a bathroom is a fresh coat of white or white-ish paint. The one pictured above is Hourglass by Glidden, an ultra-soft white color from their 2025 collection that pairs well with many colors. If a lighter wall paint sheds light on the subject but you miss deeper hues, consider painting the vanity a contrasting color.

IF YOU WANT DRAMA, GO DARK

Image: Behr

Maybe light and bright isn’t what you’re after. In that case, go bold with a deep, rich color. Maybe something like Behr’s 2025 Color of the Year, Rumors, described as “a luxurious ruby red” that will add “warmth and rich allure.” Doesn’t that sound elegant? Do make sure you have sufficient lighting so you’re not fumbling for your toothbrush in the dark. 

FEELING PLAYFUL BUT WANT TO KEEP IT CLASSY? ADD PATTERN.

Image: Thomas Cook for HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams

Like this bathroom striped in Sherwin Williams’ 2025 Color of the Year for HGTV Home, Quietude. “A soft sage with a whisper of blue influence, Quietude is an emerging color for enduring design and soothes any space inside or out.” If stripes aren’t your thing, you can always choose a different pattern. Buffalo plaid, anyone?

SELLING SOON? STICK WITH NEUTRALS

Image: Sherwin Williams

You want to appeal to the maximum number of buyers, so a color that plays well with many styles is a good choice. Sunbleached, from Sherwin Williams’ 2025 Color Capsule of the Year, is described as “poised between warm and cool, an adaptable and airy light neutral that is deeper than white, not quite gray, and ventures beyond beige or taupe.” Basically, it goes with everything.

NEED A CALM OASIS? GO BLUE.

Image:  Dutch Boy

Color experts have told us for years that blue is a soothing color, and Mapped Blue—Dutch Boy’s 2025 Color of the Year—is no exception. This timeless medium-tone blue is not too dark, not too light, and sure to look great for years to come.

WHEN ONE COLOR IS JUST NOT ENOUGH: CONSIDER WALLPAPER

Image:  Giffywalls

Wallpaper is fun, trendy, and—thanks to the wide range of peel and stick options—easier than ever to apply. Plus, the options are almost endless: geometrics (the one pictured above is Pattern Play from Giffywalls), florals, classic prints, even murals. That’s one way to get a great view from the tub! Bonus: bathrooms tend to be smaller than other spaces, so there’s less wall to cover, and less wallpaper to buy, making it more affordable than you might think. “But,” we hear you asking, “Can you use peel and stick wallpaper in a bathroom?” Probably! Learn more.

So, are you inspired to freshen up your bathroom walls? If you like the look but don’t want to do the work, no worries! We can take care of that for you. Request a consultation to get started.

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