Color Your Appetite

Color psychology takes on added significance in the dining room because it’s a simple fact that color profoundly influences our appetites.  Did you know that a simple change in a color scheme has been known to make a success of restaurants that were failing despite their excellent food?

Clear colors have the same stimulating effect on atmosphere as they do on appetites.  Blue is particularly restful, encouraging leisurely meals.  Full strength red is exciting and to be used with discretion, but lighter shades, such as raspberry or soft pinks are extremely pleasant to eat by.  Orange and its cousins, terra cotta and canyon tend to increase the appetite.  So if you want your family to eat hearty, then an orange toned color scheme is perfect.  Yellow is its usual happy and sunny self.  Neutrals, livened up with positive color splashes, can be effective too.

In the presence of food, beware of muddy green tones – stick to clear shades of this color.  And avoid lavender and violet, as they’re appetite suppressants (that is I guess, unless you are trying to lose weight!).  Drab colors in a kitchen or dining room are rarely successful.

And, since most dining is done at night, it’s important to test colors under artificial light.  If your color scheme ends up turning a bit muddy, you might actually succeed in making your beautifully prepared meal a bit distasteful!

Lighting should be flexible to allow different levels of light for various activities.  A central chandelier can be controlled with a dimmer switch.  However, even at its uncomfortable brightest, a chandelier seldom provides sufficient light by itself.  Try a pair of tall matching candlestick lamps on a sideboard or buffet.  Or perhaps wall fixtures might help to add the additional light you require. If it is romance you’re after, candles offer just the right hint of the exotic to your dining experience.  They are sure to cast a warm glow over everything in the room.  Best of all, they present YOU in YOUR best light!

Interiors by Decorating Den
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e. DecDen@cox.net
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