colour is becoming clear therapeutic and nurturing it is clear and pure and driven by a need for more white lights and translucent colours when teamed with current hues offer consumers a full palette of colour and texture the 2012 palette is really a statement about light and shadow luminous and somewhat transparent colours that are influenced by new materials will be popular in interiors people are moving toward luminosity phosphorescence and coloured lights to showcase interior walls or surfaces finishes give added depth and dimension lustrous metals bring value strength longevity and integrity colours can be divided into two groups warm colours red orange yellow and cool colours blue green violet there are a few general factors that characterise each group warm colours are just that warming they add coziness and warmth to a room and generally stimulate the mind and emotions cool colours create a peaceful atmosphere and bring about a sense of spaciousness and openness now lets take a closer look at some specific colours and their effects on the mind emotions and bodycolour cues red conveys passion and vibrancy it stimulates the emotions and ignites a feeling of enthusiasm and vigour i suggest red in a formal dining room or as a dramatic choice in a romantic sultry bedroom dark red conveys wealth and sophistication and is said to boost selfesteem bright pink is a fun colour that inspires playful conversation and a lively atmosphere pale pink is the most calming and soothing of the warm colours orange stimulates both the mind and the appetite for this reason i suggest using shades of orange in kitchens dining rooms and offices since orange is such a wake up colour its usually not a good choice for bedrooms pale orange peach is calming and soothing and creates a warm nurturing maternal environment its a wonderful choice for childrens bedrooms and family rooms yellow is uplifting invigorating optimistic and gives the sense of sunlight indoors studies have shown that yellow rooms are effective in aiding depression and seasonal affective disorder pale yellow is sweet and subtle and invokes a spiritual mood if you are hesitant to add a lot of colour to your home starting with a pale creamy yellow is a conservative way to break out of the neutral white walls deeper yellows stimulate the intellect enliven the senses and awaken the mind blue is the most calming and peaceful colour to use in your home though shy baby blue elegant aquamarine and sultry navy are very different shades they all relax the mind promote deep breathing and slow down the body green is a relaxing centering balancing colour because it is the most neutral colour on the colour wheel our eyes adjust to it very easily and it can work in any room to convey a natural pleasing environment green is said to heal headaches and reduce anxiety finally violet soothes the body and mind at a deep spiritual level violet in any shade immediately