Because dark colors absorb light, walls appear closer and make rooms look smaller and more intimate. Dark colors also provide excellent camouflage. Too high walls, uneven walls and heavy traffic areas all benefit from the hiding power of darker wallpaper. As with light wallpaper, textured papers absorb even more light. Dark walls tend to dominate a room, so they make fine companions to light and bright colored carpets, furniture and accents.
Intense shades create drama and excitement, while subdued hues create warm, friendly spaces.
Warm colors are often used in eating areas like breakfast nooks and eat-in kitchens. As you might guess, warm colors are popular in colder climates. Intense cool colors lend a fresh, dramatic appeal to a room, while softer cool shades make rooms feel less confining - a perfect choice for bathrooms. Use cool colors in west-facing rooms and other areas where heat is a problem. Just as warm colors make us feel warm, cool colors make us feel cooler.