Ideas & Advice

Get Inspired

Ideas by Topic

Decorating Entertaining & Food Organizing Budget Color DIY Home Improvement

View All »

Ideas by Room

Bedroom Living Room Dining Room Kitchen Bathroom

View All »

New Article: 10 Bathroom Remodel Ideas

New Articles

10 Kitchen Makeover Tips »

How to Hide a TV with Wall Art »

Before and After: 5 Curb Appeal Makeovers »

View All »

Photos

Photos by Room

Bedroom Living Room Dining Room Kitchen Bathroom Entryway/Hallway Exterior/Patio

View All »

Photos by Style

Contemporary Modern Traditional Rustic Coastal

View All »

Featured: Contemporary Living Room Photos

Designer Spotlight

Designer of the Month: Chango & Co. »

Designer Q&A: FreshHouse »

Pro Tips for Buying a Home »

View All »

Buying Guides

Guides by Category

Furniture Décor Lighting Kitching & Dining Bed & Bath Patio & Garden Home Improvements Baby & Kids Office Buying Guides Outdoor Pets

View All »

Featured: Kitchen & Dining Buying Guides

Popular Buying Guides

How to Choose the Right Bar Stool Height »

How to Choose a Bathroom Vanity »

Chandelier Size and Placement Guide »

View All »

Magazine Shops

Shop Editors’ Picks from Our Favorite Magazines
	Editors’ picks and designs bring you the best in seaside style. Visit »
	All-American style from the editors of This Old House magazine. Visit »
	Fresh takes on farmhouse style, from the editors of Country Living. Visit »
	Warm, casual, West Coast-inspired style from the editors of Sunset. Visit »
	Create spaces you love with looks from your favorite HGTV shows. Visit »
	Stylish, yet functional picks for your home to make life simple. Visit »

Search 

Decorating Blog

Cool Off with Color

by Kate Smith

A childhood love of color turned into a college-age fascination with the interaction of colors, then into a career of color trend forecasting and product development. Today, Kate Smith, CMG, CfYH, is president and chief color maven at Sensational Color, a company that provides color knowledge and know-how to corporations primarily in the home industry. Kate is an inspirational keynote speaker and seminar leader, blending color theory and psychology into entertaining and informative talks that bring color to life.

Visit Sensational Color »

Top Picks

Photo: Kate Smith

Summer heat is in full sizzle, and I'm thinking cool colors to refresh your home. Icy blues, ocean greens, and sunrise purples create a cool and welcoming environment. These hues invite the mind and body to relax and renew.

Use varied light, medium, and dark cool colors that subtly contrast one another. Adding just a hint of warmth with neutrals, such as a yellow chair or a cream accent piece, is essential to rounding out the palette.

Photos: Elle Decor / Pierce Design

As a cool hue, shades of blue naturally calm our body and free our mind. Instead of relating blue to sadness, as people often think when they hear "feeling blue," think of feeling peaceful. Cool colors are excellent choices for writing spaces or spa bathrooms allowing you to be quiet with your thoughts.

Photos: HGTV / Better Homes and Gardens

In addition to blue, light variations of sea greens and soft purples are also cool colors that create a soothing space. Bedrooms are a perfect place to infuse a cool hue using a monochromatic scheme or as a backdrop for pure white accents.

Photos: HGTV / Better Homes and Gardens

Can a tranquil mood be created using red, yellow, or orange? Absolutely. But, it's much more difficult to achieve because those colors naturally feel warming and invigorating. Cool colors offer instant soothing, rejuvenation, and a much-needed respite from the heat of a long summer day.

More Ideas & Advice