Who can ever forget the first self-painted room? Going back to the days when you were in a college apartment bedroom, when your choice was a vibrant, fiery red. Because you thought the color would be energizing. Alas! It turned out to be agitating. Next what? You felt restless, took less sleep, and almost lost focus. Such an experience has taught you a great lesson – paint is something more than decoration.
Paint is a tool to fundamentally change how one feels and functions in their own home. Rather, we should term paint as the fascinating mix of art and science, and a better understanding of paint color psychology is the first step towards space transformation.
Most homeowners have similar stories to share. Their choice for color was on a whim, only to realize it was creating an impact on mood, their sense of security, as well as their monthly energy bills. In this guide, we have talked about the redemption story for those who have made such a mistake. We are diving into how colors can be chosen with confidence.
What paint color choices impart a calm feeling to a room? We’ll talk about mood colors
For the question raised on sanctuary, that is a place to unwind after spending a long day, then the very same mood colors to be highlighted are blues and greens. Pause and think about nature – a calming sea or a lush green forest. Human brains are wired to connect these shades with tranquility.
- Blues
Scientifically, soft, airy blues lower blood pressure and slow down respiration. These colors are the ideal choice to create a peaceful retreat, so very often they are chosen as the best paint for bedroom spaces.
Once on a design forum, a user had commented that after he switched his bedroom from beige to a pale sky blue, his sleep quality had instantly improved. It feels as if the walls themselves are sending the message to relax.
So, choose the muted blues with gray or green undertones to achieve the best paint for the bedroom.
- Greens
The colors that connect us to the natural world, help in reducing stress, and promote a sense of well-being are the sage, mint, and other soft greens. These incredibly versatile mood colors work excellently in living rooms, home offices, and bathrooms.
To make a room look and feel right, the key is to understand paint color psychology.
Yellow paint in a kitchen – the positive psychological effect
Yellow is always on the opposite end of the spectrum. While red in the bedrooms and kitchens is a fiery disaster, yellow could have a similar, though usually more positive effect. Yellow is the color of sunshine and happiness that boosts energy and metabolism.
So, this color is a fantastic choice for kitchens that mark the start of our day, and also where our families gather.
While encouraging conversation, yellow can create a welcoming and optimistic atmosphere. Nevertheless, it’s safe and best to follow a word of caution from the principles of paint color psychology – strategically use bright yellows. Remember, you might end up with anxiety if you have your entire room painted in a bold canary yellow. Yellow is a good choice for an accent wall or a cheerful, buttery shade for all four walls.
How should you choose paint to make a small room look bigger?
Better to call it a classic design challenge that is solved with a tinge of science. Light Reflectance Value or LRV is the secret. Every color contains an LRV score from 0 (that is, absolute black) to 100 (that is, pure white). Higher LRV means the color is reflecting more light. For a room to feel larger and more open, the best choice is a high LRV paint.
Off-whites, pale grays, and light pastels are a few excellent choices. Combined with good lighting, this simple trick makes a cramped space feel airy and expansive. Check the LRV numbers when you are searching for swatches. The number is your perfect guide in a small space. There are several homeowners who have found success with the options shared by Home Depot Behr paint, which indeed clearly lists these values.
Does a dark blue house start becoming hotter? Disclosing the energy-efficient paint
Yes absolutely. Here is where a dark-colored house absorbs the maximum of the sun’s infrared radiation and converts it into heat. But a light-colored house does just the opposite – reflects the radiation away. A best example would be wearing a black t-shirt vs. a white t-shirt on a sunny day – the applied principle is exactly the same.
The lighter colors are the best exterior colors for the hot climates of Arizona or Texas. A dark blue, black, or deep brown exterior forces the air conditioner to work much harder, which leads to significantly higher energy bills. That is why the market for energy-efficient paint has begun exploding.
Along with being the light colors, most colors have been formulated with special pigments reflecting even more solar radiation. The smartest investment to make for your home is selecting an energy-efficient paint.
What is a good Light Reflectance Value (LRV) for an exterior paint?
In sunny regions, every homeowner needs a high LRV. A good rule of thumb for the Best exterior colors is selecting a paint with an LRV of 60 or higher. It ensures maximum light reflection to keep the underlying walls cooler. Major reflective paint brands make this information easy to find for their users.
For instance, the Sherwin-Williams LRV for each color is clearly described on their website and in samples. Consulting on a project in Phoenix, a color comparison was made with an LRV of 30 to one with an LRV of 75. The surface temperature difference on a summer afternoon has been over 30 degrees Fahrenheit. This states the massive impact on cooling cost, hence a high LRV paint is compulsory. Better to consult with local house painters for their insight into what would work best in your specific region.
What colors should be avoided for a home’s exterior for security?
Well, this could be a less-discussed but a much vital aspect of exterior color selection. The security paint colors are tied to visibility and perception. However, the colors allowing a home to blend too seamlessly into the background should be avoided, particularly if dense landscaping surrounds it. Dark, muddy greens and deep brows could create shadows and pose difficulties in spotting the unusual activity surrounding your property. These are the poor choices for security paint colors.
Conversely, you will want to keep out any jarring color choice to save yourself from negative attention. So, the best approach is choosing a color that is complementary to the neighborhood while providing enough contrast with your chosen landscaping for the doorways and windows to be clearly visible from the street. A home looks occupied, well-maintained, and visible.
A personal success story about a makeover of a home in Arizona home
A family had their first home constructed in Scottsdale, which was a beautiful dark taupe. Though the home looked great, the summer AC bills were fully astronomical. However, after the first year, everyone was ready to sell the house. But, somehow, they were convinced to try an experiment. It’s then that they started investing weeks to conduct research on energy-efficient paint options, particularly looking at cool roof paint and high LRV exterior wall paint.
After comparing reflective paint brands, they looked closely at the Sherwin-Williams LRV charts and options from Home Depot and Behr paint. The cool roof paint options had received overwhelmingly positive reviews. Next, they went ahead to hire local house painters and selected a light sand color with an LRV of 78. They even decided to buy thermal paint for his roof. The staggering change left them in awe.
The cooling costs dropped by nearly 25% the next summer. Every member transformed their financial outlook on the house. This experience gave them the power to choose the right high LRV paint and the importance of investing in a quality cool roof paint. It became clear proof that the best exterior colors are both functional and beautiful. This story is perfect for others to be inspired to buy thermal paint. This project is proof of the right LRV paint delivering a real return on investment.
Ending it here,
The right mood colors create a calming bedroom and lower the energy bills with cool roof paint. So, the most impactful decision to make as a homeowner is choosing the right color. Color choice is more than just being about aesthetics; the whole idea is using the paint color psychology for improving your well-being. Then, applying the science of light reflection for saving money and choosing smart security paint color to ensure family protection.
That is why, the next time you choose to walk into a store like Home Depot Behr paint, or browse the Sherwin-Williams LRV library, then you are doing something more than buying a color – you are choosing how your home is going to perform for you. In case you are not confident, then talk to your local house painters – they have invaluable experience and will rightly guide you to buy thermal paint or just find the best paint for bedroom bliss.
Hi, I’m Lillian Blanchard, a home solutions expert and writer with a passion for transforming everyday spaces into functional, beautiful havens. With years of experience in interior design, DIY projects, and sustainable living, I specialize in crafting practical advice that makes home improvement accessible to everyone.
