There are over one million colours, all variations of red, yellow and blue. Colours that use red in them are referred to as warm colours, because of the emotions they evoke, and their association with fire, sunlight and other warm forces. Colours with blue in them are considered cool colours, relating to the sky, the mountains and water.

There has been a great deal of research into how colour affects our attitudes, moods and general outlook. Although we may not be aware of tis influence, colours can make us feel warm or cold, excited or calm. Within our home, the proper use of colour can help make a room more inviting, or make a small room look bigger.

When choosing colour for your home, remember that all elements need to be taken into account -- the furniture, the walls, the floors, and the furniture. Generally, larger areas, such as ceilings and floors, should have duller or softer colours, to all furniture and accessories to make an impact. If you have a number of photos or large paintings to display, hang them on a white or lightly-coloured wall to give them the most significance.

The structure and location of your room is important, too -- look at architectural details, such as a fireplace or interesting moulding and decide whether they should be highlighted.

The sun exposure will affect the intensity of the colour, as will nighttime lighting. And certain colours have an architectural background that may be more in keeping with the age and style of your home, such as a Williamsburg blue or a more modern grey.

You should also keep the use of the room in mind when choosing colour -- a sitting room or study, for example, may require a warmer colour to keep it inviting and cozy, while the kitchen may look cleaner and brighter with a cooler colour.