It makes sense to surround yourself with colors that make you feel good. Color creates emotion, according to common wisdom, so successful decorating partially depends on making appropriate color choices.

This has some scientific validity. It's beneficial to select the colors that make you feel comfortable, happy, tranquil, energized, or whatever mood you hope to encourage. Bright orange walls, for instance, might keep you awake in a bedroom, but soft blue or warm beige would encourage sweet dreams.

Remember that there are many shades within a color family. By going lighter or darker, or by mixing in other colors, you can modify the emotional effects.

Following are the ways specific colors affect emotion:

* Yellow. Cheerful, intellectual, uplifting. Strong shades might be overwhelming and are best in smaller amounts, but light to medium shades can lift your mood like a room filled with sunshine.

* Green. Fresh, restful, rejuvenating. Like being out in nature, green can revive the spirit. The shade is important; blue-greens are calming and yellow-greens are more stimulating.

* Blue. Tranquil, homey, comforting. Unrelieved doses of pure blue seem cold and formal, but reddish blues or greenish blues are more inviting. Think Wedgwood, periwinkle, or turquoise.

* Purple. Creative, sophisticated, surprising. Paler shades like lavender are meditative, and darker ones like eggplant are artistic. This color was once reserved for royalty, giving rise to the term "royal purple."

* Red. Bold, vigorous, exciting. Bright shades might be too stimulating, but dark shades seem elegant and classic. Pale pink is comforting and promotes feelings of well-being.

* Orange. Energetic, friendly, appetizing. Pure orange may seem jarring, but terra cotta, pumpkin, and apricot are warm colors that inspire relaxation. This is a good color for rooms where people gather.

* Neutrals. Peaceful, reasoned, quiet. These soothing shades offer relief from brighter colors, separating them enough to keep their stronger energy in check. Light neutrals are harmonious and expansive, while darker ones are dramatic.