Winter is home improvement time! Do you have a paint job in mind?

This guide can be a helpful way to brighten your spirits. Just remember if you plan to sell your home, don't come on too strong! Just a hint of color in a neutral paint can make a big difference in the feeling of your house.

Warm colors, like red, orange and yellow, evoke images associated with heat, such as sunlight and fire. Cool colors, such as blue, green and violet, are associated with landscapes and the ocean. The experts say knowing how colors affect you can help you determine which colors are best for your home. Research has shown that color can affect your mood, appetite and energy.

Red produces feelings of energy, passion and intimacy. It can raise your heart rate and blood pressure. Because it also stimulates the appetite, it’s a good choice for dining rooms.

Orange also warms a room but with less drama. It’s more friendly and welcoming than its fiery cousin. Orange works well in living rooms and family rooms as well as children’s bedrooms.

Yellow grabs attention and can lift one’s mood. It helps light up a poorly lit foyer or hallway. But yellow that is too bright or too strong can also create anxiety in infants, young children or the elderly.

Blue soothes and relaxes, so it’s an ideal bedroom color choice for adults and children. It also suppresses the appetite, which is why you’ll rarely see it in the kitchen or dining room.

Green is often associated with nature and is at home anywhere in the house. Light greens work well in baths and living rooms, and mid-range greens are a great accent for kitchens and dining rooms.

Violet gets a favorable response from children, but not from adults. Children’s bedrooms and play areas may be the best places to experiment with this color family.