Colors for a Finished Garage

Warm Colors

• Warm colors are exciting, stimulating and energetic. Warm shades are those you might expect to see in a sunset: variations of reds, oranges and yellows. They bring life and vitality into a room. A study of color psychology suggests that these are the hues associated with intense emotion, ranging from laughter to anger. Psychologists have found that babies fuss more when they're surround by a bright shade of yellow and that people eat more in a room filled with red. If you're creating a fun, active space, warm colors will work well.

Cool Shades

• Cool shades are like those you'd see on a mountain vista: blues, greens and lilacs. They're calming, tranquil colors, most closely associated with nature. Shades of blue, green and lilac are used in hospitals, doctor's offices and waiting rooms, precisely because they engender feelings of calm. The color blue has been shown to aid in concentration, while purple stimulates the part of the brain that handles problem solving. If you're aiming for a serene space for rest and relaxation, cool shades are your best choices.

Contemporary Color Combinations

• Perhaps more than any other design element, color impacts the decorating scheme of the room. Pairing particular colors with one another sets the tone for the rest of the decor. For example, if you're designing a contemporary space consider using a complementary color scheme. Complementary colors are those found directly across from one another on the color wheel and adhere to the old adage "opposites attract." Because they have nothing in common, complementary colors are bold and dramatic. Plum and mustard yellow are complementary, as are powder blue and salmon. Blue and orange are across from one another on the color wheel, as are red and green. Any of these combinations is sure to make your new room pop.

Traditional Color Combinations

• For a more traditional color scheme, opt for analogous or monochromatic shades. Analogous colors create instant harmony in a room when paired together because they share a common base shade. For example, both green and orange are analogous to yellow because each of the former colors is a mix of yellow plus another primary color. Achieve a monochromatic color scheme by layering in varying shades of the same color. For example, you can paint the walls beige, the ceiling light tan and add chocolate brown furnishings for a monochromatic look.