Let the colors you choose for your rooms communicate on a deeper level with all who pass through your home. No, we’re not talking mind control here—just a little push in the right direction since we humans see color not only with our eyes but also with our hearts.

There’s oodles of research and opinions on color and how it affects mood. If you have a spare afternoon, wander through the Internet and gather detail on color theory to your heart’s content. For those of you who don’t have an afternoon to kill, the abridged version is below—arranged by color, of course.

Green—A color from nature, green symbolizes growth, harmony and freshness. It also has a strong emotional tie to safety. According to some, it has great healing power and is the most restful to the human eye. Dark green shades are commonly associated with wealth and money.

Yellow—This color has a warming effect and is often associated with happiness and energy. Experts say it stimulates mental activity and boosts intellect. Use yellow if you want to bring about pleasant, cheerful feelings or to increase focus.

Blue—Blue is associated with calm and tranquility. Some believe it is beneficial to the mind and body and can help slow metabolism and suppress appetite. Dark blue is connected with wisdom, loyalty and power (think “true blue”).

Red—This is an emotionally intense color with clear associations to energy and strength as well as passion and desire. Authorities on color say it increases blood pressure, appetite and respiration rates. Use red when you want to add energy to a room, but remember a little can go a long way. (Bright red may also evoke a feeling of danger.)

Purple—A color of royalty and luxury, purple can convey a sense of wealth or extravagance. It is also associated with creativity, mystery and magic. Many children will tell you that purple is their favorite color. Light purple especially is a good choice for a more feminine feeling room.

Orange—A combination of the energy of red and the happiness of yellow, orange often exudes a tropical mood. It is said to increase the oxygen supply to the brain creating a stimulating affect. Citrus shades are associated with healthy food and sunshine. Oranges and golds are most often associated with fall and harvest.

White—This is often considered the color of perfection, innocence and purity. It also brings to mind cleanliness and safety. It’s a great color to highlight simplicity in design.

Black—Connected to both a feeling of power and a feeling of mystery, black can provide depth in a room’s design. Although it often has a negative connotation, it can also be formal and elegant.

So, now you know the basics about using room color to help inspire, energize, soothe or restore family, friends and visitors in your home.