Many people may not realize that enhancing the psychology of your home can have a significant effect on your life and moods.

Most of us have been in a home for a visit or a party that has made us feel uncomfortable or uneasy, for no obvious reason. According to a recent Realty Times article, that reason may be that home design psychology was not explored when the home was decorated. Jeanette Fisher, founder of Joy to the Home and design psychology professor, says, “Design psychology helps you to create a home to support your emotional needs.̵ The term “design psychology” may strike you as something new-agey and fluffy, but the premise is to use your home to fulfill your emotional needs, and not just to decorate based on what is trendy or attractive.

One of the biggest influences on mood in your home is color. Certain colors create specific feelings for most people. You can test this by simply thinking of what moods you associate with what colors. In addition to the choice of color, you must also consider the ways in which you use certain colors.

When you are choosing to paint a room, you have some flexibility. For example, you may love the color red and may wish to paint your eating area red. However, consider that painting an entire room red can make people feel anxiety and possibly also elevated blood pressure. Consider using red as an accent color instead: maybe some throw pillows, a painting or a decorative bowl. Red as an accent is an attention-grabber, and has been known to stimulate the appetite and make people lose track of time. Symbolically, red represents love, passion, fire and heat.

Alternatively, the color green is believed to have a neutral effect on the nervous system. (Just think of the “green rooms” that are traditionally present in television and theatre.) A color that is easy on the eye, green is symbolic of nature and is becoming increasingly popular in design. A darker green typically represents wealth and masculinity (possibly good for a home office), while an olive green represents peace.

Although you might think that the effect would be happiness and cheer, bright yellow in large quantities can be fatiguing. Researchers claim that it is not easy on the eye, and it has been known to make babies cry and make adults irritable. However, like red, bright yellow can be used as an accent to help create an alert, vibrant mood.

The best test when decorating your home is your own gut feeling. Be sure to take the time to carefully explore your reactions to colors, textures and patterns. Looking at a paint color on a strip or sample is the first step. You also need to picture the color on an entire wall or room. If possible, find a place where you can see the color in large scale, whether it’s a design studio, a friend’s home or a museum. How do you feel? Ignore your initial analysis (such as it’s so rich and beautiful” or “it makes everything stand out”) and concentrate on your emotions. Is your heart rate elevated? Do you feel calm and soothed? Trust your emotional response, and carefully consider whether that emotional response is appropriate for the room you are trying to decorate. Feeling calm, relaxed and sleepy may not be appropriate for the study, but it may be perfect for the bedroom. Be flexible, take your time, and you will be rewarded with a home that complements the psychology of your family and friends.