What is the color of joy?

Written by Kelly Epperson

As I step into a more vibrant life, I like more colorful surroundings. Not BAM in your face gotta-get-your-attention color, just expressions of some lively fun.

I never thought I'd have red furniture. I love it. I eat my breakfast every day on the red loveseat in the sunroom. I look out at the trees, watch the squirrels, and feel peace.

Red Couch Conversations in front of the fireplace warm my heart. The walls are a soft lavender, called Elation. It's what I feel in this house, this life.

My friend Artist Angie painted words all around our kitchen. My heart is happy every time I look at them. This is my fairy tale, I'm writing it, and I want words, colors, and images surrounding me that keep me in that flow. She just painted a castle on a hill in our bedroom.

As we contemplated color choices for the home office, I googled "color of joy." Orange. Indigo. Lots of rainbows.

I wanted a combination of soothing color to keep me clear and relaxed, and a vibe of creative energy to keep my juices going.

My last home office at the condo was a neutral tan. In realtor standards, fine. To me, it was the color of a drab bandage. Ugh. We painted it Poetic Light and threw glitter on one wall. Ahhh.

This home office at our current abode came with white walls. Fine for a hospital or a chef's kitchen, but I crave more pizzazz. My teenage girl bedroom was hot pink. Many great thoughts came to me in that room.

Color affects us. Color psychology says pink is sweet and romantic, less "violent" than red. Pink is associated with girls and femininity. Pink is symbolic of pure love. Pink represents tranquility.

Pink is generally associated with positive images, and innocence, like bubble gum and cotton candy. We are in the pink when we are healthy. We are tickled pink when we are delighted.

There are many shades of pink. I read on one website that pink is a good color for a creative office. Pink is insightful and intuitive. It is the passion and power of red softened with the purity, openness and completeness of white.

Writers can wax poetic on any color. Ultimately the choice is what feels right for me. We went with Free Spirit and Dahlia, shades of pinks and purples.

What feels right for you? What colors do you use in your favorite spaces? What feelings does your space exude?

When you are in your kitchen, how does it feel? How about your bedroom? Does it feel welcoming and relaxing? The living room?

Try inserting a few touches of color here and there to see if you feel any differently. A splash of color can ease you into changing the color scheme. Sometimes a splash of color is all you need.

What is the color of joy? That is totally up to you. Your space, your joy. And it's only paint. It can change with you as your tastes change. EnJOY!