Red is the most powerful color in our palette. Philosophically it has a variety of disparate meanings, yet each one is extreme, and will have an intense impact on the setting that you use it in.

Because of the power of various red tones, it has to be applied to a space with a certain amount of caution. Too much red can make a room seem glaring and uncomfortable.

Red is most effective when used in accordance with the personality of the people who will inhabit the space. This can be you, your family, or someone else. In some cases you will be decorating a public room, where the guests will be your audience.

The first thing that you have to understand about the color red is that it tends to excite people. Being in the presence of this color can actually stimulate someone's metabolism.

This increased excitement can be useful if the person you are decorating for is lethargic. Many people who have trouble waking up in the morning will use the color red extensively in their bedrooms.

The fact that red can increase metabolism also means that it increases hunger. This can be strategically useful in a dining room, or some parts of the kitchen. However, use it too extensively in the kitchen, and you may tempt a chef to nibble on their own treats a little too much.

In a public space, such as an office, or a living room, the color red is good for keeping people active and excited. On the other hand, it will also make them more excitable, and prone to violent negative emotions. Depending on the purpose of the space, the color red should be used with care in any setting where people will tend to congregate.

Aside from food and war, red is also the color of passion and love. The use of red lighting, red decorative pieces, and passionate dcor can turn an otherwise boring space into a love escape.

The use of the color red in a decorating endeavor is a dangerous move. On the one hand it can make a space seem livelier, and more active, and it can even help to put a little passion into the home. However, the power that it brings to your attempts is a double edged sword, because if it is used incorrectly, it can make a room violent and irritating. Be cautious and subtle in your use of this intense tone, in order to find the balance that works for you.