Warm / Cool
Colors have temperature. But there’s no need to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit—it’s a pretty simple concept. Categorizing a color as either warm or cool describes how it will generally act in a space. “Warm” colors tend to advance toward you, creating a cozy atmosphere. Warm colors include reds, oranges, yellows and golds. If a color is described as “cool”, it tends to move away from you, creating a tranquil and spacious feeling. Cool colors include greens, teals, aquas and blues.

Light / Medium / Dark: When to use what.

Open Sesame: Making your space look bigger
Use light colors on walls and ceilings to open up an area or to create a soft, airy space. Light fabrics for window treatments will allow the maximum amount of light to filter into the space, and design elements such as textiles, floor coverings and furnishings should also be light in nature. Finish out the look with light woods, or whitewashed finishes, wicker, light metals and mirrors to create a spacious atmosphere.

A Comfortable Contrast: Meet in the middle
Medium tones make a space comfortable for longer periods of time and provide balance between contrasting elements. White trim and dark furnishings will be enhanced with a midtone color.

A Cozy Fortress: Dark and dramatic
If you wish to create a cozy and dramatic atmosphere, select deeper, darker colors. Decorative accessories may be darker in nature and include rich textiles or heavy woven area rugs for a feeling of luxury.