Combining colors takes some skill, but it shouldn't intimidate you.

Begin with your favorite color, then use the simple color wheel lessons on the next few pages to find compatible accents for it.

A Strong Foundation: Primary Colors

For rooms that come off feeling strong and solid, a scheme of primary colors -- red, blue, and yellow -- is an ideal choice. Each is a pure color that can't be created by mixing other hues. Use them in pairs or combine all three; they work equally in country, traditional, and modern rooms.

The Next Step: Secondary Colors

Secondary colors -- green, orange, and purple -- are created by mixing two primaries in equal amounts.

How Color Affects Mood

Relying strictly on the color wheel to make decorating decisions leaves an important factor out of the equation: the moods that colors can create. The colors you live with really do influence your emotions. Some palates lighten and brighten your mood while others pacify or purify.

We respond to color with our hearts, not just our heads, so it's important to choose wisely. Understand that colors behave in three basic ways -- active, passive, and neutral -- and you can easily match every room's colors to your personal desires and taste and to the room's purpose.