When decorating your home, it’s important to consider the paint palette you want to use, as this can have a dramatic effect on the feel of a room.

When you break down colors on the color wheel, they fall into two groups: warm colors and cool colors. Warm colors are yellow-based and include shades of red, yellow and orange, with metallic tones of gold, brass and bronze. On the other side of the spectrum, cool colors are blue-based and include blues, greens and purples, as well as metallics like silver, chrome and nickel.

As a general rule, cool colors are relaxing, while warm colors are stimulating. Keep this in mind when choosing the color palette for each room in your home. Warm colors will create a more inviting atmosphere in gathering spaces like living rooms and dining rooms. Try rich shades of red, orange or yellow. Because of their calming effect, cool colors work best in bathrooms and even bedrooms. Light blue tones, for example, will provide a very relaxing atmosphere.

In addition to these two groups, there are colors that don’t fall into a definitive category, colors like shades of white, beige and gray. These are considered neutral colors and can be used as much or as little as you want. Just be careful not to overdo it, as an abundance of neutral colors can easily make a decorating scheme appear boring and plain.

More helpful hints when it comes to color

If you’re scared of using color, use an accent shade to add a splash of color that isn’t overwhelming. Incorporate this color by using a bright pillow or throw, or a decorative vase or curtains. Red technically falls into the warm color category, but because it is so bold, it is a popular choice as an accent color.

You can use cool and warm colors together, but do so sparingly. If a room displays a warm color scheme, choose two or three accent pieces of the same cool color. If the room showcases cool colors, on the other hand, use a couple accent pieces in a warm shade. This will also prevent the decor from looking too matchy.

When decorating a room that opens directly to another, choose a different shade of the same color so that you don’t break the creative flow from room to room.