Violet adds a feeling of luxury, indulgence, or drama.

Picking a color for your room can be challenging. Personal preference must come hand in hand with sophistication – which is not an easy task for a lot of people.

Colors not only express personality and add aesthetics to a room; they can also influence the mood of the people that use the room. Hence, it is important to take note of how the room will be used, and the time of the day it is frequented before settling on an interior color scheme.

GREEN. A natural color that is restful to the eyes, green is the color of rejuvenation, balance, harmony, optimism, and youth. Green can reduce stress, alleviate depressive tendencies, and encourage healing, making it a good choice for living areas and even home offices.

BLUE. The color of sky and sea is a favorite for both males and females. It is a cool color that can relax, soothe, and induce sleep, making it a popular color for bedrooms. It also denotes cleanliness, making it suitable for bathrooms and laundry areas.

VIOLET. The color of royalty, violet can be optimistic and uplifting, or serious and subdued, depending on its tonal value. It also adds a feeling of luxury, indulgence, or drama. Violet is a fairly new trend for interior design, often the choice of strong personalities or eccentric characters. 

RED. This powerful color denotes excitement, power, danger, love, and romance, generally best used as an accent. Warm red can create a sense of intimacy, while certain muted shades of red can cozy and comfort earth colors. It also stimulates appetite, making it a popular choice for kitchens and dining areas.

PINK. The many shades of pink have different effects – soft, pale pink can soothe; warm pinks can uplift and motivate, while hot pinks can stimulate and energize. Interior design trends have elevated pink from the little girl’s room. With the appropriate accents, pink can add an elegant touch to any living space.

ORANGE. A friendly color that improves the mood and appetite, orange is usually the color of choice for kitchens, breakfast nooks, and dining rooms. It also stimulates conversation, and adds warmth to a room. While bright orange can make a room feel hot, toned-down orange, like terracotta, can be soothing. Earthy orange like copper, on the other hand, brings sophistication.

YELLOW. This gender-friendly color stimulates the mind, improves memory and concentration, invigorates the appetite, and infuses energy. It can brighten up a dark room, and can create excitement when red or orange are too intense. Thus, yellow is a popular choice for nurseries and children’s rooms, as well as family rooms and dining rooms.

NEUTRALS. Black, brown, gray, and white blend well with any color of the spectrum. They are associated with confidence, formality, and strength of character. They allow people and other elements to shine, while giving the space a warm and relaxing atmosphere. They also induce different feelings depending on their tonal value.

On its 43rd year, the students of the Philippine School of Interior Design (PSID), explain the psychology of color as they proudly showcase this year’s interior design exhibit dubbed “Caleidoscope,” the graduation exhibit of PSID Advanced Class 2010. The exhibit run is from October 3  to 31 at the Athena Building, Eastwood City, Libis, Quezon City.