An expert in color psychology shares the 5 shades you should have in your living room

A color expert recommends including warm yellows and terracotta hues in the living room. Artazum/Shutterstock; oksana_nazarchuk/Getty Images Insider asked artist and color expert Amy Wax to share which colors best suit a living-room space. Soft blues or delicate pinks can make a typically social setting feel relaxing and carefree.

The expert also said warm yellows can create a comfortable and inviting environment. Sweet, warm yellows can boost your mood. A pale-gold or wheat color can make a space look cozy.

Artazum/ShutterstockAccording to artist and color expert Amy Wax, warm yellows like pale golds and rich wheat tones can create a cozy ambiance in your living room. “Sweet yellows can improve one’s mood,” Wax told Insider. “Using a softer yellow creates a feeling in the space that is sunny, warm, and spirited.

“Wax advised against including bright yellows, as they can cause stress and agitation. If you’re looking for color pairings to compliment warm yellows, Wax recommends using blues, greens, and grays. Colors in the greige family are associated with playfulness.

Greige is one of the most versatile colors. Ursula Page/ShutterstockGreige, a color between gray and beige, is a great choice for the living room because of its versatility. “Off-whites are an elegant and conservative base color,” Wax said.

“This quieter color palette gives you the opportunity to create a brighter space with accent colors that are friendly and maybe even a little playful. “Whether you’re using stone-colored beige or rich taupe, this color pairs well with brighter greens and colors in the plum and teal families. Shades of green tend to make you feel calm and relaxed.

Sage green can bring a more natural element to a living room. Followtheflow/ShutterstockIf you’re going for a soothing environment, Wax said shades of green have the ability to relax and calm the body, especially the eyes. “Greens pair well with neutral creams, brick reds, and navy blues,” Wax said.

“I see this natural color palette as easygoing and friendly. “She also said greens like a quiet sage or a bold hunter green can bring the beauty of nature into your living room. Terracotta can create a warm and restful vibe.

Terracotta can look cozy and inviting. oksana_nazarchuk/Getty ImagesAccording to Wax, terracotta is a great choice for the living room because of its earthy and warm appeal. Though oranges are more stimulating colors, terracotta is a more restful version of the brighter hue.

“Earth tones can be very cozy and warm, but they also give you the chance to dress them up with contrasting colors that create a little drama in the room,” Wax told Insider. Wax said terracotta pairs well with off-whites, blue-green accents, or even a contrasting black. Soft blues tend to feel open and carefree.

Different shades of blue can create a coastal vibe. Ground Picture/ShutterstockSoft blues are universally appealing and share the freshness of a coastal color palette. According to Wax, soft blues can make a living room feel more open, and in turn, more relaxing.

“Airy and open, this color palette feels carefree and stress-free,” Wax told Insider.  Light-blue, gray-blue, and blue-green colors pair well with neutral earth tones like warm taupe or rich chocolate brown. A delicate pink can reduce stress and other strong emotions.

Pair pink with gray to create a more mature look. Ground Picture/ShutterstockThough soft blues can feel airy and carefree, a delicate pink will have the same effect since it’s also soothing and comforting. “It is less likely to be a color that would be recommended for a living room because I believe it takes some expertise to pull it off,” Wax told Insider.

“That being said, it can be absolutely stunning if it is done well. “According to Wax, a delicate pink can reduce stress and other strong emotions like anxiety. Pink pairs well with soft grays and warm browns for a comforting mood in the room.

Read the original article on Insider.