• Choose paint carefully; pick something you will enjoy for several years.paint image by Chad McDermott from Fotolia.com
  
  There are many different ways to add color to a room. Choose the colors wisely; pick a scheme you will enjoy for many years, especially for bedrooms or other rooms you often spend time in. Colors bring energy and mood to a room, and the mood and energy can vary widely across the color spectrum. For example, blue is known to lower body temperature and slow down a person's pulse, while green is known to soothe and calm people. Look through different home decor magazines and visit a paint store to get samples to bring home to see how different colors look--and make you feel--in your home.
  
  

Stripes

• Stripes are a great way to brighten up your room and incorporate different colors together. You have several options with stripes: horizontal, vertical, multiple stripes or just one. "Tone on Tone" technique incorporates two tones of the same color, one lighter than the other, painted in striped patterns. "Flat on Gloss" technique uses the same tone, but one paint has a flat finish while the other is glossy, which creates a colorful texture and gives dimension to your room. Stripes can be challenging; make sure to have all the needed supplies from your paint store, as well as an extra person or two to help.
  
  

Multiple Solid Colors

• Paint your room with two or more solid colors depending on the mood you wish to create. Pick colors that complement each other and keep the mood of the room consistent. For example, paint most of the room one color, but choose a focus wall in the room to paint a different, but complementary, color. Or, paint the molding of the room one color and paint the walls another color to create contrast in the room. Choose colors you like at your local paint store and ask a paint specialist for help matching certain color schemes that work together.
  
  

Wallpaper and Paint

• Some people are hesitant to use wallpaper, but wallpaper is not just images of cats and watering cans. There are some modern, contemporary wallpaper patterns that give a room the perfect splash of color and texture. Choose the main paint color, which sets the mood for the room, then choose a wallpaper pattern that subtlety emphasizes the mood of the main paint color. Pick the focus wall for the wallpaper, and paint the remaining walls with the color-coordinating paint.