FOXY INTERIORS INCORPORATED, CENTRAL FLORIDA
HOME STAGING. REDESIGN. RENOVATION
Color has been around since the beginning of time. Color first began through pigments naturally found in minerals in the earth. Earth colors include yellow, red, brown and green. This is how early cave dwellers were able to paint their walls in their humble abodes. I spoke about this in my blog Early Interiors.
There are three groups of color: (1) warm, (2) cool, and (3) neutral or neutralized colors. Do you know what colors each group contain and the feeling they invoke when used? Okay, here we go. 
Warm colors are engaging, active, positive, cheery, cozy and stimulating. When used in an interior, they tend to close off the space. When you think of warm colors, think of the sun and beautiful sunrises and sunsets. The color group of warm colors contains red, red-orange, orange, yellow-orange, and yellow. I see you nodding your head yes – reminds you of the sun.
Cool colors invoke feelings of relaxation; they are soothing and restful. Cool colors tend to expand space when used in an interior. I’m reminded of water when I think of cool colors. The color group of cool colors contains blue, blue-green, green, violet, and blue-violet.
Neutral colors are gray, white and black in that they contain no color. By now, you’re probably trying to figure out then what a neutralized color may be. We in society refer to neutrals all the time as this is a general term. The genuine meaning of neutralized is any mix of the ‘neutral’ colors of gray, white and black combined. Neutralized colors are restful, tranquil, livable, and unobtrusive. However, they lack color and become boring rather quickly.
Let’s stay on the topic of neutralized colors for a bit and answer the question of why use them either in home staging or in your current living spaces. Not only are they great for home staging as they appeal to the masses; but when you use them in an interior living space, you can efficiently decorate with lots of color until your heart’s content by changing out the accessories. You will maximize your hard-earned dollars this way. I recommend this to clients as a cost-savings measure, especially if you like to change out your decorations often. You definitely want to use them if you intend to sell your home within three to five years.
I hope you’ve enjoyed tonight’s lesson on Groups of Color and What They Mean.
