Facts

• We've all heard the fashion warning not to wear white past Labor Day but the warning has less to do with style and more to do with physics. Once Labor Day rolls around, fall is setting in. We stop wearing white and make the switch to darker colors because dark colors absorb light. Light is a form of energy and wherever there is energy, there is heat. So wearing dark colors will generally keep you warmer. In the summer, we wear lighter, brighter colors because lighter colors reflect light or bounce the energy back. The same rule applies for your room.
  
  

The Feel of Color

• There are warm colors and cooler colors. The warmer colors generally are reds, yellows and oranges.The cooler colors ard blues, purples and greens. Earthier colors tend to be warmer while more unnatural colors will be cooler. But it also depends on the brightness of each color. A light yellow will reflect more heat while a dark blue will absorb heat even though yellow is considered a warm color and blue a cold color.
  
  

Colors for Warmer Areas

• If you live in a warmer area, such as Texas or Florida, you'll want to paint in lighter, cooler colors such as light blues or greens. Light warm colors can be added in as well, as long as no heavy, dark colors are used.
  
  

Colors for Cooler Areas

• If you live in a colder area, such as Maine or Alaska, you'll want to paint in warmer colors. Reds, browns, oranges and yellows with dark accents are best for these areas. Darker colors are OK as long as they are only used as accents. A dark color used on a small wall will shrink the room, making it look smaller and more cramped than it actually is.
  
  

Other Factors

• Obviously all areas undergo the changing of the seasons, making colors that work in summer completely useless in the winter. The best way to compensate for this is to note where your windows are and which side of the house the room is on. A room with a lot of windows will always be warmer because more sunlight will be coming in. Be sure to consider the sunlight and the general temperature of the seasons before deciding on colors. Also, if you have a west or east room, these rooms will naturally be receiving more heat from the sun each day. Keep in mind that these rooms will always be warmer as well, and paint accordingly.