Color Your Home for Mood Health

Feb 09, 2026 | Posted in How To & Decorating Tips | Share

White bedside table with drawers and gold handles, a yellow bedside table lamp with yellow shade, pink upholstered headboard and white sheets on the bed, with a yellow pillow on the front. — *_{Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer}*

Have you ever been in a room with a color you either loved or disliked? How did it affect your mood?

Science tells us that colors of interior spaces change our moods through color psychology, triggered by biological and psychological responses linked to nature, culture, and personal memories. We use color’s emotional impact to set moods and create specific atmospheres, especially in our homes, offices, and other interior environments.

Warm colors such as reds and yellows boost energy and excitement, while cool colors like blues and greens promote calm, affecting our heart rate, stress, and ability to focus.

These effects — achieved by how hues, saturation, and lighting interact with our perception — create atmospheres of tranquility, vibrancy, or drama, influencing our mental and physical well-being.

How Colors Influence Moods

Yellow velvet tufted dining chairs with a yellow striped pattern on the backs surround a round dark wooden table with a single tapered pedestal leg on top of a red carpet. Windows allow light in on two sides, with a circular pendant lamp above. The table is dressed with a round vase of yellow flowers. — *_{Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Marija Vidal}*

Warm Colors – Reds, Oranges, Yellows

Effect: Stimulate energy, passion, appetite, creativity, and conversation
Examples: Red for urgency or love, orange for enthusiasm, yellow for cheerfulness
Interior use: Good in social spaces like kitchens, dining and living rooms

A blue and purplish patterned blanket is folded back to reveal another layer of purplish blanket, with white linen sheets underneath. 3 throw pillows in blue, gold, and beige sit in front of stacked white pillows for sleeping. The wall behind the dark headboard is a saturated purple hue with gold metal leaf decorations, and a green glass lantern hangs to the left side of the bed, near a copper glass lantern, both above the bedside table. A round gold footstool sits nearby, in front of a translucent glass wall that separates the bedroom from the hallway and other spaces in the house. — *_{Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer}*

Cool Colors – Blues, Greens, Purples

Effect: Induce calmness, tranquility, focus, and relaxation
Examples: Blue for peace and trustworthiness, green for growth or freshness
Interior use: Ideal for bedrooms, offices, bathrooms, or meditation areas

White leather Barcelona chairs with silver legs and button-tufting on the seats and backs, in front of a floor-to-ceiling wooden-framed window and a dark curtain with a gold ribbon a foot above the pale yellow and grey patterned carpeted floor. Between the chairs is a small silver side table adorned with two silver and white candlesticks, and a small silver vase of yellow flowers. — *_{Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer}*

Neutrals and Dark Hues – Browns, Grays, Black

Effect: Create feelings of drama, intimacy, coziness, or stability, depending on saturation
Examples: Brown for reliability, charcoal or navy for warmth
Interior use: Can add sophistication or make large rooms feel more intimate

Why It Happens

A pink, fuscia, and purple rug with yellow center shaped like a flower complements the two bright yellow tub chairs near the windows, with a grey 3-seat sofa and multiple coordinating throw pillows in purple, yellow, and blue provide comfort. A table lamp stands in the corner on a side table between the sofa and first yellow chair, and a matching lamp and table are on the other side. Two coffee tables sit at an angle in front of the sofa and chairs. The wall inset behind the sofa is wallpapered with a grey floral pattern. A light blanket is draped over the arm of the sofa, welcoming you for a cozy cuddle. — *_{Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer}*

Biological and Neurological Response

Colors aren’t only seen; they’re felt. They trigger physical reactions like changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and hormone levels.

Evolutionary and Cultural Associations

We link colors to natural elements such as blue sky and green forests or cultural symbols, such as red for luck or passion. This creates instinctive responses in us.

Personal Memories

Past positive or negative experiences with a color can heavily influence our emotional reaction to it. Think about being inside a room with a color you dislike strongly, and how that would make you feel.

Design Factors

A home office in a corner with a saturated blue wall the shows off open shelving decorated with stacks of books, photos, candlesticks, vases of flowers, and other collectible items above a dark wooden desk with silver metal legs, a silver desk lamp, and a red chair with silver metal legs. A long gold curtain is gathered to the right which can be pulled across the windows on the right. A tall green spikey plant stands in a metallic circular pot to the left of the desk, and a brown tub chair with a lumbar pillow covered in red circles is just visible on the far left. A window seat upholstered in the matching red circle fabric is just visible in front of the right window. Beyond the brown chair on the left is a textural window covering that matches the window covering to the right. — *_{Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer}*

Saturation and Light

Deep, saturated colors add depth, while pastels create serenity. Interior lighting dramatically changes how colors are perceived! This is why it’s so important to get the right type and amount of light for the use of your space.

Balance

Overusing warm colors can cause agitation, while too many cool tones can feel cold. Strategic mixing is key for balance, and understanding how to combine complementary colors.

If you need help executing any of these concepts, get in touch! I’m known for being good with color, harmony, and balance.

Kimball Starr designs gorgeously colorful homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a consultation.

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