Color is energy—energy made visible. As human beings, it's the only energy we can actually see. Choosing the right color for a room can be an intimidating experience. Most of us lean toward white and beige because we know it will match our furniture and décor. However, when you add color to your walls, it transforms your rooms into energizing spaces. Use these ten tips when choosing color for your home and you soon will feel inspired and energized by color!

1. Trust your Instinct. So many people choose a color, then second guess it, paint the room and go back to the original color. You know what you like and you need to trust your instinct when choosing colors for your home.

2. Get Emotional. We associate colors with the emotions they represent. Use these emotional cues to their greatest effect in a space by deciding on what emotional impact you want the room to have. See below for more info on color.

3. Test Run. When you think you have chosen the perfect color, buy a $3 test pint to do a test patch. Benjamin Moore sells these at Ingersoll Hardware. This proves to be the best insurance in choosing paint colors, more so than a simple paint chip sample that only covers a small sample.

4. Pull from the pattern. Look at the colors in the largest pattern in the room. Then choose colors based on that piece. This is the easiest and most foolproof way of unifying a room through color.

5. Lighten up! Lighter colors combined with direct sunlight make a room appear larger. Dark colors and less direct sunlight make a room appear smaller.

6. Accent! Accent walls are an excellent way to add interest to a room. Choose contrasting colors for a bold, formal look. Choose low contrasts for a more soothing and calming setting.

7. Let it Flow! To create a flow of color from one room to the next, simply choose a color you’re using in one room and restate it in a different way in an adjoining room. Use this color in larger or smaller degrees throughout your entire home for the best flowing effect.

8. Emphasize or Minimize. Color will emphasize certain features and minimize others. A long narrow room will look wider if you use a slightly darker color on the shorter walls and a lighter color on the longer walls. You can make a ceiling appear higher by applying a lighter color, or lower with a darker color.

9. Let it Dry. Wet paint looks much different than dry paint. Don’t panic when you first see the paint on the wall. Let it dry and then check it with furnishings in the room to see if it looks right.

10. Give it Time. Getting used to a new room color will take a few days. A new bold color may seem overwhelming at first but with time you’ll see how well the color harmonizes with other room elements.

Explanation of Color

RED: Vitality, energy, courage. Stimulates brain activity, increases heart rate. Gives self- confidence. Color of love and heat. Stimulates the appetite. Suggests physical strength. First color the eye sees when awakening. Paint your office, entryway or dining room red.

ORANGE: Happiness, independence, confidence. Energizes, removes inhibitions, fosters sociability. Stimulates the appetite and digestive system. Energy color, associated with movement. Decreases hostility and irritability. Paint your kitchen or bathroom orange.

YELLOW: Awareness, Wisdom, Clarity. Energizes, relieves depression. Improves memory with uplifting feelings of optimism. Increases awareness, perception and understanding. Stimulates the appetite. Paint your office or kitchen yellow.

GREEN: Balance, Love, Peace. Soothing, relaxing mentally as well as physically. Helps alleviate depression, nervousness, and anxiety. Offers a sense of renewal, self-control and harmony. Represents health and prosperity. Easiest for the eye to see. Suggests moderation and concentration. Paint your living room or bedroom green.

BLUE: Knowledge, Relaxation, Health. Calming, lowers blood pressure. Ideal for sleep and over active children. Enhances communication and decision making. Symbol of trust and longevity. Refreshing. Associated with travel and leisure. Paint your bedroom or bathroom blue.

PURPLE: Creativity, Wisdom, Inspiration. Provides a peaceful environment. Relieves tension. Promotes inner strength. Contains elements of surprise and magic. Philosophical and represents loyalty. Suggests romance, imagination, passion. Paint your bedroom or bathroom purple.