Fresh Paint Color Can Improve Your Mood!
(HIT) - Let's face it. Few of us are spending money the way we used to. But our homes are still our castles, and we want them to be as attractive as possible. In fact, the lackluster economy is all the more reason to create a comfortable, welcoming cocoon where we can ride out the economic storm.
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| Photo courtesy of The Paint Quality Institute |
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How to reconcile the desire to beautify a home with the need to economize? One possibility is to add fresh color to the indoor environment with a new interior paint scheme.
"Repainting is a low-cost way to greatly enhance the appearance of a home," says Debbie Zimmer, spokesperson for the Paint Quality Institute. "And new paint colors can actually have a positive psychological effect."
The simple fact that you're surrounded by fresh color, in and of itself, can be uplifting. But Zimmer says that certain colors have been shown to invoke specific desirable feelings and emotions. Knowing this ahead of time allows you to make the best color choices.
If your life is very stressful, you might want to repaint the rooms where you rest and relax - the family room and bedroom, for example - in a pale blue or soft green. Studies show that these colors can be very calming.
Another approach is to introduce a color like taupe or brown. These also tend to create a tranquil environment, but they impart more warmth and coziness than blue or green.
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Photo courtesy of The Paint Quality Institute |
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If, on the other hand, you want to inject some energy and optimism into your surroundings, consider using yellow paint. Like splashes of brilliant sunshine, yellow walls can lift your spirits and brighten your outlook.
Apricot, cinnamon, and tangerine are also energizing colors. But be careful with reds and burgundies: These colors can literally increase heartbeat and arouse passion. Not good for the room where you pay your bills!
The tone, or brightness, of a color should always be factored into color choice. Brighter tones invigorate, while those that are muted ("toned down") tend to be more relaxing.
Whatever your response to your new color scheme, your reaction to the cost of repainting is likely to be positive. A do-it-yourselfer can repaint almost any room for well under $100. And that's using the best quality paint, something that Zimmer strongly advocates.
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| Photo courtesy of The Paint Quality Institute |
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"Top quality 100% acrylic latex paints cost more than ordinary paint, but they offer the best value. Not only do they last longer and continue to look fresh over time, but they often save you money right away from an application and performance standpoint," she says.
So, if you're feeling blue over the state of the economy, think about painting your walls blue. . .or green. . .or yellow. It will cost very little, but doing so will likely give a big lift to your outlook!
For more information on color psychology and interior painting, visit blog.paintquality.com or www.paintquality.com.
About the Paint Quality Institute (SM)
The Paint Quality Institute (SM) was formed by Rohm and Haas Company (now a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company ("Dow")) in 1989 to educate people on the advantages of using quality interior and exterior paints and coatings. The Paint Quality Institute's goal is to provide information on the virtues of quality paint as well as color trends and decorating with paint through a variety of vehicles, including television appearances, newspaper and magazine articles, and instructional literature. Please be sure to visit the Paint Quality Institute at www.paintquality.com
About Dow
Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company connects chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help address many of the world's most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, renewable energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow's diversified industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in approximately 160 countries and in high growth sectors such as electronics, water, energy, coatings and agriculture. In 2010, Dow had annual sales of $53.7 billion and employed approximately 50,000 people worldwide. The Company's more than 5,000 products are manufactured at 188 sites in 35 countries across the globe. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.
Union Carbide Corporation is a chemicals and polymers company that has been a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company since 2001.
Rohm and Haas Company is a premier specialty materials company and has been a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company since 2009.
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Courtesy: Home Improvement News and Information Center
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