If you just bought a new home or are moving into a space that doesn’t have many personal touches yet, chances are its color scheme is neutral. After all, neutrals (black, gray, white and brown) are basic to the decorator’s tool kit. All-neutral schemes fall in and out of fashion, but are timelessly flexible. You need to add color to liven things up or calm things down, depending on the room.

When people think of adding color, they may think about repainting an entire room! But your furniture choices can help to add color throughout your home. Let’s look at colors that enhance mood and add atmosphere.

Red

Red increases a room’s energy level making it a good choice when you want to stir up excitement. In the living room or dining room, red draws people together and stimulates conversation. A red recliner would be a great starter piece to help play to the reds in your living room. Bring in red with accents such as throws and area rugs.

Yellow

Yellow brings joy and happiness. It is an excellent choice for kitchens, dining rooms and bathrooms. It’s energizing and uplifting. An accent cabinet would help bring out the yellow tones in any dining room and a smaller counterpart could add a bit of sunshine to a bathroom while adding storage. Note that the shade of yellow does not have to be intense. It just needs to pick up the hue.

Blue

Blue is said to lower blood pressure and slow respiration and heart rate and is considered calming, relaxing, and serene. It is often recommended for bedrooms and living rooms. You can easily play to navy blue without overwhelming your room by accenting with whites, greys or even yellows.

Green

Green is considered a restful color and is suited for almost any room in the house. In the kitchen, green cools things down, and in a living room it feels cozy! You could use accent pieces like a bookcase and TV stand to add a feeling of comfort to your family room.

It’s important to realize that even adding a pop of these colors will change the mood and feel of your room. People living in rentals may not have the option to repaint a beige scheme, and that’s OK! Using your furniture to highlight your chosen color palate is just as effective. For homeowners looking to repaint, be sure to choose a shade or two lighter on the wall than what you may initially think. Any one of these colors could be overwhelming to the senses. Instead, use your accent pieces and furniture to draw out the richness of each hue.