Choose Wisely: Colors
- Color Meaning
Color Language: Most colors have strong associations that everyone seems to share. This subtle “language of color” is an important consideration in color selection.
- Red
Red is viewed as an exciting, dramatic color. Red also has passionate feel. The darkest reds, such as burgundy and maroon, have a rich stately feeling.
- Stimulate
- Exciting
- Energy
- Attention
- Advancing
- Warm
- Powerful
- Activates
- Dramatic
- Beautiful
- Strong
- Passionate
- Sensuality
- Desire
- Orange
Orange gives off an aura that is cheerful, bold, and exciting. Orange has a friendly, informal feeling that makes it a great choice for a family room or relaxed living room. Rust, a dark muted orange, is a quiet color that conjures up misty autumn days, while the paler peach makes a cheerful, warm but understated, impact.
- Stimulate
- Flamboyant
- Brilliant
- Warm
- Spontaneous
- Bold
- Daring
- Robust
- Joyful
- Adventuresome
- Yellow
Yellow is the most visible color—that’s why so many road signs and school buses are yellow. Gold and ochre tones of yellow create a formal, antique atmosphere. Soft yellows have been a popular exterior paint choice since Colonial days, and these warm, inviting shades can do justice to virtually any room in the house.
- Optimisim
- Enlightenment
- Happiness
- Cheerful
- Stimulating
- Intelligent
- Expressive
- Warm
- Wisdom
- Green
Green is nature’s favorite color. Perhaps because of this strong associate with nature, green is a very soothing color to most people. Because green is easy on the eyes, it has long been a popular color in the work place. Green is a versatile color that can look good anywhere inside or out.
- Peace
- Ecology
- Soothing
- Relaxing
- Renewal
- Self-control
- Harmony
- Tranquil
- Restful
- Secure
- Flexible
- Blue
Blue is America’s “favorite color.” The universal appeal of blue skies and blue water create a feeling of serenity and openness. Aqua blue is a more frivolous and sunny color. As an exterior color, blue works beautifully as either a trim or a whole-house color.
- Trustworthy
- Dependable
- Committed
- Calming
- Cooling
- Tranquil
- Peaceful
- Purple
Purple brings to mind of wealth and pageantry. Purple and violet are indeed luxurious shades. Lavender, a tint of violet, is gaining popularity and conveys a feeling of low-key refinement. The skillful and unexpected use of violet as an interior color makes an instantly eclectic impression.
- Uplifting
- Calming
- Spirituality
- Stately
- Regal
- Respected
- Humble
- Richness
- Brown
Like green, brown is known as a nature color. This relaxed neutral is a great color to live and work around. Red-browns look very informal. Dark browns look more refined. Brown works well with green as an exterior color scheme for a home that’s surrounded by trees: the house will seem to disappear into the landscape. Beiges and tans are familiar neutrals you can use anywhere.
- Organic
- Stability
- Earth
- Reliability
- Approachability
- Wholesomeness
- White
White symbolizes freshness, purity, and cleanliness. You can’t go wrong with white: it offsets any color you use it with. As an exterior color, white is tremendously versatile and will beautify almost any surface.
- Purity
- Cleanliness
- Neutrality
- Fresh
- Black
Black is an authoritative classic color that conveys sophistication. Black provides a neutral yet dramatic counterpoint to any color you choose. Black is a great color for exterior detailing such as shutters, trim, doors, and wrought iron.
- Authoritative
- Powerful
- Mysterious
- Dignified
- Refinement
- Sophistication
- Gray
Gray is an elegant neutral that has enjoyed a lot of attention. Gray has a definite business-like, urban feel to it. Because gray is so neutral, you can accent it with any color you please. Gray with white trim is a classy exterior color scheme that works on a wide variety of homes.
