15 Ways to Use Color Psychology to Create the Perfect Decor Palette

May 31, 2015

Quick, what’s your favorite color? Did you know that every color has a certain mood and psychological effect? For example, red literally makes our hearts beat faster while the color blue triggers a calm mood. There are even certain colors that make us lose our appetite. If you’re trying to create a certain atmosphere in your home, check out some of the moods each color can convey before you go buy that gallon of paint. Whether you want to add energy to a dreary kitchen or channel more creativity into your workspace, check out this guide to help you pick the color that suits you best.

1. For Energy, Think Yellow: Hello, sunshine. Yellow is the epitome of cheery energy and positivity. It’s an extreme attention grabber, so put it someplace you want to make a statement — say the entryway or front door perhaps? (via Better Homes and Gardens)

2. Warm and Inviting Orange: A shade of yellow-orange is warm and nurturing, making it ideal for gathering areas like the kitchen and dining room. Go bold with a coat of paint or stick to colorful accents of orange glassware and orange chairs. (via Fat Cat Brussels)

3. Green for Growth: Yellow-green is a great color choice when decorating a playroom or nursery since it’s very gender neutral. Combine it with turquoise for a bold, masculine feel or pair it up with pale pink and orchid for a more girly color scheme. (via Better Homes and Gardens)

4. Calming Green: There is a reason spas and doctors’ offices use shades of green in their decor: green is a relaxing and natural color that brings a sense of calm. Use green accents to rejuvenate yourself and promote physical and emotional well-being. (via Mix and Chic)

5. Productive Teal: If you think blue is too cool, try a shade of blue-green for a serene and restful environment. On the other hand, studies have shown that blues and teals are excellent for helping you stay focused, making it an obvious choice for the office. (via PB Teen)

6. Deeply Comforting Blue: When you look at the color blue, your body actually produces chemicals that calm the nervous system. Blue purifies your thinking and helps you become more mindful of what is important in life. Since it’s the color of water and sky, blue is a popular choice for any room in the house, but works especially well in the bedroom and bathroom where you want to create a zen-like atmosphere. (via Commune Design)

7. Enjoy Your Reign of Purple: Historically, purple is associated with royalty and is known to be a highly creative color. Purple is also known for stimulating the brain activity used in problem solving. Get the royal mood by pairing purple pieces with metallics and dark tones to keep it from going overly feminine. (via The Glitter Guide)

8. Get More Energy With Red: Red is often associated with movement, speed and excitement. Studies have shown that just looking at the color red can increase your heart rate, so be careful where you splash that red paint. Used in the right amounts, red can inspire romance and increase the appetite. Is anybody else thinking kitchen makeover? (via One Kings Lane)

9. Highly Creative Shades: Red-orange is the epitome of intensity, making it an excellent choice for spaces that are meant to encourage creativity, activity or playfulness. You can tone down the intensity by pairing it with white for a seriously stylish color palette. (via Charming in Charlotte)

10. Fun-Loving Orange: Of all the colors, orange is the most fun, and it is the color of laughter and celebration. Generally, people who use orange in their interiors are seen as warm, confident, carefree and ambitious. For a space that is unapologetically happy, add a bright accent here and there to reduce self-consciousness and embrace your younger, wilder side. (via Domino)

11. Fresh and Clean White: When it’s not used as a default color, white capitalizes on a home’s natural light and brings a certain air of purity and serenity. While all-white interiors can feel a bit sterile, when used with consideration, white can really show off all your home’s best features. (via Decor8)

12. Elegant Black: Black is probably the last color you’d think of putting on your walls for fear of cave-home syndrome. But if you’re looking to add a little drama, maybe it’s worth considering this darkly elegant color. (via Dwell)

13. Pink, the Perky Optimist: Incorporate a little romance into your space with a shade of pink. Paired with the right colors, pink can even work in a gender-neutral space and is a great way to add a feminine touch to hues such as navy blue and black. (via Lonny)

14. Warm and Comforting Brown: Depending on the color palette you choose, brown can be organic and earthy, rich and classic or clean and modern. For a sophisticated look, pair brown with gray and metallic finishes, or if you want something more bold, accessorize with bright colors like blue and orange. Either way, you’re bound to have a cozy room. (via My Domaine)

15. Sophisticated Gray: Gray has been having a major moment in the decorating world. Timeless and elegant, it is the perfect backdrop for some seriously fun pops of color like hot pink or yellow. (via The Kitchn)

What is your favorite color to use in your home? Are you in the mood for romantic red or creative purple? Talk to us in the comments below!

24 Cozy 'Gilmore Girls' Gifts For Anyone Who'd Rather Be In Stars Hollow

If there's one thing about Gilmore Girls fans you can count on, it's their passion. They love the quirky one liners, memorable moments, and are usually either Team Jess or Team Logan (sorry Dean...). Give any Gilmore Girls lover in your life the chance to transport themselves to Stars Hollow this holiday season — without having to make the trek to Washington, Connecticut or the Warner Bros. stage in Hollywood. These Gilmore Girls gift ideas are fun, thoughtful, and very cozy, which are also three hallmarks of the series itself! From a coffee mug that Luke Danes would approve of to the perfect gifts for Taylor Swift fans, this Gilmore Girlsgift guide will make you say "Oy with the poodles already!"

Now that we're in knee-high boot season (which I FINALLY bought), I like to wear super fun, colorful, and chaotic socks. Grab a pack of Gilmore Girls socks to take some Stars Hollow magic with you no matter where you go.

Etsy

Gilmore Girls Themed Blind Date with a Book

For this bookish blind date, you'll receive a Rory-themed read, a tea bag, a bookmark, and stickers. You really can't go wrong.

Favorite Child

Stars Hollow Books Tote Bag

Carrying your favorite books in a tote bag with the Stars Hollow Books logo feels like it's meant to be.

Amazon

Have I Told You This Already?: Stories I Don't Want to Forget to Remember

Lauren Graham's collection of essays will give you a glimpse behind the curtain as she offers thoughtful stories about life, aging, and the industry.

Which gifts from this Gilmore Girls gift guide will you be buying for your friends (or yourself)? Let us know in the comments!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

Angelina Jolie Finally Opened Up About Her "Extremely Private" Kids & Motherhood

Angelina Jolie has always been mother — but she's also a literal mother to six kids whom she clearly cares about fiercely. Since she first adopted Zahara, Maddox, and Pax to giving birth to Vivienne and Knox, it's always been evident that her children are her entire world. While she rarely talks about her children (especially given her highly contested divorce at the moment), Angelina shared a little slice of her feelings on motherhood, insights on her children, and more with Good Morning America.

Here's what Angelina Jolie had to say about her kids — including which one of them is the most private!

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- YouTube

Angelina opened up about her feelings for her family while chatting about her new movie Maria with Good Morning Americaon November 21, 2024. Host Michael Strahan asked Angie about if there's anything she loves as much as her character loves singing, and she replied that it's her "motherhood."

"It’s my happiness. You can take everything else away from me," she said. "I could — nothing else matters."

When asked about her sons' involvement in Maria, Angelina explained that despite their involvement behind the scenes, they're very uninterested in a life in the spotlight. She said, "None of my children want to be in front of the camera. They're quite private."

Angelina elaborated, "Shiloh's extremely private. They weren't born with privacy, so I hope they can have that."

This interview comes after Angelina and Knox attended the Governor's Awards with her on November 18, 2024. His rare appearance shocked so many — including Brad. Daily Mail reported that Pitt found the timing "suspicious."

The source said, "'She is trying to get under his skin after his recent win and using Knox to do so is odd. Knox wants nothing to do with Hollywood and has no communication with Brad."

Despite the weirdness, the source also said, "He [Brad] believes that, in time, his children will come back into his life."

How many kids does Angelina Jolie have?

Angelina Jolie has six children. She adopted Zahara, Maddox, and Pax, and later gave birth to Vivienne and Shiloh. She shares her children with Brad Pitt, most of whom aren't on good terms with him at the moment.

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New Mom Shares Exactly How Much It Cost To Have A Baby In 2024 – Spoiler Alert, It’s A LOT

Just how expensive is it to have a baby in 2024? One woman sharing her experience on social media has sparked a much-needed conversation about financial transparency when it comes to starting (or growing) a family.

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A post shared by Josephine Anderson (@fosterthevalley)

Josephine Anderson, who posted a video on her Instagram @fosterthevalley, outlined the costs of her uncomplicated vaginal birth, and TBH, it was shocking.

The financial breakdown of her experience (with Cigna for insurance):

Routine office visits (including 2 ultrasounds): $1,266
Labs: $3,440.81
NIPT genetic testing: $15,319.36
Anatomy scan: $1,270
RhoGam: $360
Hospital for mom: $23,722.10
Hospital for baby: $7,402.80
OBGYN for delivery: $5,000
Epidural: $5,720
Breastfeeding support: $2,589.78
Pediatrician: $209

That all racks up to a whopping total of $66,299.85. After insurance was factored in (her deductible was $3,000 while her max out-of-pocket for in-network expenses was $11,000), the total cost for her uncomplicated vaginal birth was $4,788.98. Forbes Advisor reports the average cost of having a baby in 2024 is $2,854.

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Josephine’s video warranted thousands of comments, most of which were appalled by the costs of her experience:

“This needs to be shared in SexEd classes,” one commenter wrote.

“The US medical system is BROKEN,” another said.

“And people are still confused why more women are choosing to remain child free… we literally can’t afford it,” another user commented.

Mart Production / PEXELS

Brit + Co spoke with Wendy Colson RN, IBCLC and CEO/Founder of BOOBIE Superfoods to gauge if Josephine’s costs were typical for the care she received. Colson has significant insight into how insurance works not only from an employer’s perspective, but from personal experience as a patient with breast cancer.

“The $4,788.98 net amount she mentions is realistic given that her deductible was $3,000. If she had chosen a plan with a $1,000 deductible – which is a common ceiling for good coverage – the same scenario would have cost her around $2,789,” Colson said. “The video highlights the importance of understanding what you're getting with an insurance plan, especially when you anticipate major life events like childbirth.”

Sarah Chai / PEXELS

Colson primarily attributes unanticipated costs for medical care (like in Josephine’s case) to patients that choose their insurance plans with, well, no real plan.

“Many [people] opt for the [plan] with the lowest paycheck deductions without fully evaluating the benefits,” Colson said.

There’s often a tradeoff between paying less per paycheck and receiving your desired benefits: for example, if you elect to contribute less money towards your insurance per paycheck, you may end up paying more out of pocket for things like doctor’s office visits and prescriptions.

“Making an informed choice is key to saving money in the long run,” Colson continued. “In short, it's crucial to consider both the immediate costs (like paycheck deductions) and the potential future costs (like deductibles and copays) when choosing an insurance plan.”

Anna Shvets / PEXELS

Another major cost Josephine mentions in her video was 12 weeks of unpaid maternity leave, which cost her a total of $18,000 (in lost income).

Per the passing of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) in 1993, moms have a legal right to up to 12 weeks of unpaid maternity leave. The U.S. Department of Labor notes that the act was designed to help employees balance their work and family responsibilities, accommodate the legitimate interests of employers, and promote equal employment opportunity for men and women.

Matilda Wormwood / PEXELS

It all sounds great until you realize the time off is indeed unpaid, which doesn't really aid in the amount of money parents end up owing after all is said and done in the pregnancy and childbirth processes.

Only 13 states plus the District of Columbia offer paid maternity leave. When you compare the United States’ laws to that of other industrialized nations, they don’t exactly measure up.

Colson says Sweden’s maternity leave policy is “one of the most generous,” offering 390 days of paid parental leave (shared between parents) and 80% of wages covered for a significant portion of the leave. In Germany, mothers are entitled to 14 weeks of maternity leave plus a tax-free, income-based allowance straight from their insurance provider.

Jonathan Borba / PEXELS

Though it’s likely that US laws will never be that generous in terms of paid maternity leave, there are a few things you can do to make the blow of medical costs hurt a little less, says Colson.

“My advice is to be your own advocate,” she says. “If you’re planning to have a baby, start by understanding what your state provides in terms of paid leave to avoid surprises after delivery.”

To keep the cost of having your baby (if you’re planning to have one) transparent and free of surprises, Colson recommends:

Asking your physician’s office for a detailed breakdown of insurance billing codes, including:
- Office visits
- Lab work
- Epidural (and the anesthesiologist’s separate fee)
- Hospital admissions
- Specialist consultations during admission
- Optional procedures like circumcision, if desired
Email the insurance billing codes to your insurance provider, who can help calculate your out-of-pocket costs and deductible

“Having a baby is priceless,” Colson says. “By planning ahead – understanding your insurance options, healthcare costs, and available benefits – you can ensure peace of mind and focus on what truly matters: your growing family.”

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