Red vibrates with intensity, physiologically speaking, by increasing blood pressure, heartbeat and energy in most people. It instills feelings of intimacy and passion. Red can also stimulate the appetite, which explains why it is so often used in restaurants and is a good choice for a dining room.

Orange, like red, tends to warm a room, but in a more friendly and welcoming way. As a result, tints and tones of orange (peach or terra-cotta, for example) work well in living rooms, family rooms, and entrance halls.

Yellow is also warm and welcoming, but it is more attention-getting than red or orange. It also has an inherent “sunny” feel. For this reason, it’s a good color to use in poorly lit areas, like hallways or basement playrooms.

Blue is on the palette of the “cool” colors, and evokes a feeling of calm and tranquility, so it’s ideal for use in bedrooms. However, some studies show that blue works as an appetite suppressant so unless you’re on a diet, it’s not the best option for kitchens or dining rooms. Blue can also be a good choice for a bathroom color, as it is reminiscent of the color of the sea.

Green is another relaxing color, but more versatile than blue. Light greens are ideal for bedrooms and living rooms; midtone greens are good for kitchens and dining rooms (many foods are green, and it is seen as a “natural” color). And, because it is calming, it’s often used in hospitals, workplaces and schools.

Violet is a tricky color, psychologically speaking. Since it’s a mixture of red and blue, it’s the bridge between the “warm” and “cool” colors of the rainbow. Many adults are not fond of violet, but do like rose, which can work in a variety of different rooms, including dining rooms, bedrooms and libraries. Young children, on the other hand, respond well to violet, so this color might be used in children’s bedrooms or playrooms.

These are just general guidelines, of course, but since they are based on extensive studies they might be a good starting point in your search for a paint color