Stress, stress, stress! Everywhere we turn today, there’s some new crisis to deal with. That’s why we love to spend so much time at home in our bedrooms, where we can relax. The trick, however, is to recognize that the colors we use in our bedroom decor have a significant influence on whether our bedroom can truly become a sanctuary.

The most soothing shades for the bedroom come from nature, say home design experts. These hues make us think of restful glades and cool meadows, places where our souls are nurtured by nature’s beauty.

With the trend toward neutrals in all home decorating this year, neutral colors also are finding their way into bedrooms; in area rugs, in sheets and in curtains too. However, these neutrals aren’t blah or stark, being softened by combinations of green and brown that have been popular recently.

You need to pay close attention the shade of green you are getting. Some greens like acid green can actually stimulate your mind instead of resting it. So before you buy anything hold the green shade up to your skin and compare. When you look in a mirror you will see the green tone reflected back in the mirror as well as on your skin. You want to have it balance instead of stand out causing you to look like an alien.

Classic colors are back in style. Remember to choose colors that are restful and not those that keep you thinking. Muted greens like the color of plants, is a good choice. You can match them with a shade of blue that will remind you of the blue sky and water. Blue has a calming, soothing feel to it and would be perfect in a bedroom.

Lavender is another color that pairs well with botanical greens. The combination is predicted to be a leader in decor for girls’ rooms. Lavender and green create a peaceful feeling in the bedroom, especially when layered with lavender-scented bed linen spray and sachets for closets and drawers. Don’t overdo the scents, though; you could become overwhelmed quickly.

Amid all these color variations aimed at creating a serene space in the bedroom, you just had to expect that there would be one breakout. This year the bold, sophisticated color is … pink.

Believe it or not, pink – not the pastel pink of a girl’s room, but a vibrant shade warmed with a slight yellow undertone – is turning up as the eye-popping exception to overall trends. Pink has been a powerful shade in fashion for both women and men over the past year, and that energy has now moved into home decorating, particularly in the bedroom.

If these colors seem to be too restful for you then try making them blend better with accessories like gold colors on sheets, curtains, and area rugs. Put silk fabric on one wall, add a crystal chandelier and more.

In the end, comforting as the color scheme may be, the bedroom should reflect the personality of its inhabitant. Bedrooms are after all the most intimate room in the home, and should be whatever makes you feel most peaceful and happy.

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The kitchen is the room used a lot but gets the least attention. White appliances and a functional flooring is all there is. This look is plain and boring.

If you think that it looks good that way then you are wrong. Homes today have creative kitchen decor because the kitchen is used more for gathering with friends and family.

So what makes this room in the home so appealing (besides the food?). Many designers think that a kitchen’s appeal depends on its colors. Vibrant colors with high energy can create a room where people love to get together. The trick is to recognize some of the kitchen basics, and build with them or around them.

Most appliances are usually stainless steel, black or white. Kitchens usually do not have a lot of open space on the wall. Place bold colors on the walls that will compliment the colors of the appliances.

Darker wood or paint colors for cabinets have come into style for kitchens. This means that deeper hues of wall colors will hold up against them. Some designers like the warmth of shades traditional to Mexican arts and crafts — copper, ginger, henna and gold. In addition, these bold colors are popping up in surprising places, such as a burnt-orange countertop around a stainless steel sink.

Traditional colors are important and in style as well. Red, yellow, and apricot are some of the more warm colors. These colors are now being used in different ways. If you want a country-style kitchen color choose green and pink but make them a rustic green with a strawberry shade of pink instead.

Color influences are coming from all around the world. For example when the 2008 Olympics were held in Beijing the Chinese tradition was that the color red was for good luck.

What makes these trends so chic? It’s not all about the color it is the combination of color and sophistication. Burnt orange can be coordinated with brilliant blue or even a deep purple. Neutral colors such as dark brown or shades of gray and soft dove to deep charcoal can help to accent the kitchen and add style.

Try to avoid colors that you see in your favorite restaurant. These colors can be over done and it would not look right in a kitchen in the house.

Instead, give your kitchen some pizzazz with bold new colors in your kitchen cabinets as well as your curtains and area rugs. Use bold colors in the curtains, area rugs, and cabinets.

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