Color is arguably the most important element when it comes to decorating a home. The appropriate and well-planned use of color can not only make a statement of style and beauty, it can establish the emotional mood of a room, from bright and cheery to subdued and formal.

Fortunately, color is also one of the easiest elements to change. Paint, fabric, upholstery, carpeting, and accessories—all come in a vast array of colors. A room can go from drab to fab or from a hodge-podge to a peaceful refuge with just the right color choices.

How do you choose the best colors for your home? In this section of HomeTips, we explore the various principles that will allow you to create the effects you want throughout every room of your home.