by Tonya Hillukka

Created on: March 22, 2009   Last Updated: March 26, 2009

The den is a place in which to retreat in the evenings. This may be where you go to get some alone time in for a couple hours before dinner. Your den is your own personal hideaway from the day's stressful events. That is why the color scheme in a den is a very important decision.

Consider the look you are aiming for. Are you going for a sophisticated, yet masculine feel? How about a more traditional, or even rustic look?

Leave the paint selection for last. There are literally thousands of paint colors to choose from for your den paint can be easily matched to virtually any color. This is why you need to decide on furniture and materials before even considering a paint color.

Once everything else has been selected, you will need to decide on a painting technique. Yes, there are a variety of painting techniques to choose from. Do you like the idea of a faux finish, like ragging or colorwashing?

How about installing a chair rail and painting the top and bottom sections two different colors? Maybe you would like to accent a particular wall with a darker color. Or would you prefer the walls to blend into the background?

If so, maybe it would be better to paint all of the walls with a solid color of paint. Either way, once you have decided on a painting technique, there are three color groups to choose from: neutral colors, warm colors, and cool colors.

Neutral Colors

People tend to choose neutral colors for their walls simply because they are "safe" colors. Neutral colors are black, white, gray, and any tint, tone, or shade of these colors. Perhaps you are afraid to put a little color on the walls. A neutral hue may be the best choice for a den, anyway, because bright colors are generally not as relaxing. And that is the whole point of a den, isn't it? Having a place in which to wind down after a long, stressful day.

Warm Colors

Reds, oranges, and yellows are all considered warm colors. They are "warm" because they oftentimes create a cozy feeling in a space. This is why they are commonly desirable in a den setting. You will likely want to feel warm and relaxed in your den. On the downside, warm colors tend to cause feelings of irritation in some people.

Cool Colors

Cool colors are among the least desirable in a den setting. This is true of most rooms, actually. Blues, greens, and violets give off a cooler vibe, which helps to create a calming atmosphere. Although green is a good choice for those who enjoy reading, you may not like the chilly atmosphere cool colors sometimes create.

What is it that you would like to feel when you retreat to the den in the evenings? Before beginning to design your den, consider the overall effect you would like to achieve. Select all of the furnishings first. Then it is time to choose a paint color. As you have discovered, the color scheme in a den is a very important consideration.

Learn more about this author, Tonya Hillukka.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.