I always find wintertime to be so dreary and depressing. I am looking for ways to warm up the interior of my home, not by turning the heater up and getting a fire going in the fireplace but by warming it up emotionally through additions or changes to my decor. How can I make it more cozy and comfortable?
Many people view home decor as simply a matter of aesthetics or what looks appealing. But those who are proponents of color psychology believe the hues used to decorate homes can have a very real effect on the emotional well-being of those who dwell within.
The warmer colors of browns, rusts, oranges, golds, and reds that are prevalent during autumn can be used inside a home to give the interior a warm, inviting feeling when snow is falling and chilling winds are blowing outdoors.
"When it's cold and blustery outside, you can warm up the interior of your house with warm colors like orange, brown, yellows and reds," advises award-winning interior designer Tobi Fairley of Little Rock. The deep, dark hue of brown can add a quiet but strong force in a home, with the color signifying stability, support and protection for the family who lives there.
"Browns make you feel secure and comfortable," Fairley says of the color that is so prevalent in the autumn months.
Incorporating these tones into a home may create a space that not only exudes organization and strength but also creates an environment of calm, she says.
Those who fill the interior of their homes with shades of brown may identify strongly with comfort and dependability that the color represents. Those who choose brown may be salt-of-the-earth types, with personalities exuding qualities such as reliability and trust. Browns in velvety, rich tones can also bring a subdued sense of glamour to a space.
On the more lively, brighter side of the color chart, there are warm and mood-lifting tones, including orange.
"Studies have shown that orange actually lifts the spirits," Fairley says. "Which is great in those gray months."
Meanwhile, the hues of red and yellow are even warmer, more energizing tones, packed with action, offering a powerful burst. The warmer colors are believed to be stimulating and conducive to encouraging conversations. They are good hues to choose for the public areas of a home where entertaining takes place.
"Those colors give you energy and remind you of the warmer season," Fairley says.
-- Linda S. Haymes
Do you have a decorating or remodeling question? We'll get you an answer from an authority. Send your question to Linda S. Haymes, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, Ark., 72203 or email:
lhaymes@arkansasonline.com
HomeStyle on 12/27/2014