Many homeowners get a little intimidated by the idea of redecorating, but you can relax, because some of the simplest renovations -- like painting -- can have the most profound effects. Simply changing the color of a room is one of the best ways to enhance the appearance of that part of your home, while at the same time changing how you feel about that particular living area.

It's good to get moody

When it comes to repainting a room, the first key is to understand how the various elements within the room, like color and light, can impact not only the look and feel of the space but the mood as well.

While defining a color's "meaning" is highly subjective, here are some of the more typical descriptors to help give you a sense of how to achieve the moods you desire.

Red: High-energy, passionate, excited, romantic, stimulates appetite

Deep reddish-brown: Warm and welcoming, contemplative

Brown: Calm, earthy and natural

Yellow: Energetic, bright, cheerful and optimistic

Golden: Warm, welcoming, sophisticated

Green: Calming and neutral, natural, earthy, comfortable

Purple: Creative, artistic, passionate, magical, posh

Light blue: Soothing, cool, tranquil, calms appetite

Peach: Warm, delicate, happy, nice on skin tones

Gray: Neutral, plain, cool, stylish, sophisticated

Brown: Warm, comfortable, secure, mature

White: Bright, pure, neutral, refreshing, clean and tidy

Pink: Soft, sweet, romantic, innocent, tranquil

It is important for any home decorator to understand the profound impact color can have on not only the look and feel of the room, but on its mood as well. So when picking out your paint, be sure to ask yourself not just how well a certain hue matches your couch and curtains, but also how the colors make you feel.

"Don't let the salespeople convince you that you want [a particular designer color] -- get a color you like and will like for a long time," says Broc Clark of Bróc Interiors in Dallas, Texas.

Not sure where to begin? Don't be afraid to experiment! Sometimes you can't tell what works for you until you paint the whole wall and live with it for a week. You will soon know whether it's something you appreciate, or if it's time to buy some new paint.

Pump up the volume

Want a look with a little more zing? Well, don't think you have to limit yourself to just one color or just one style of application. Jamie Hurd, Academic Department Director of Interior Design at The Art Institute of Portland in Oregon, suggests you consider adding visual interest with the background colors in the room.

"Perhaps choose one wall to paint a different color than the rest and embellish that wall with stencils and accents, or divide the walls from top to bottom, similar to a wainscot," she says. "This allows for more color in the room, as well as the opportunity for semi-gloss paints to be used below for easy cleanup."

Tricks of the (painter's) trade

Paint can do more than brighten your room -- and your mood: It can also make your living space seem bigger or smaller, depending on how you use your colors.

• Dark colors can make the ceiling seem lower, while lighter shades reflect more and will make the room feel more spacious. Often, decorators choose to paint the ceiling with a slightly lighter tint than the color on the walls to subtly trick the eye.
  
• If you have a long, narrow room, consider painting the wall at the far end a darker shade than the longer walls. Darker colors generally appear to recede, creating an illusion of width, while lighter colors will seem to be closer.
  
• To make a small room look larger, choose a light-color paint and select furnishings in the same color family. (Or, paint some of the furniture to match the walls.)
  
• Realize that light can dramatically affect how a color appears. The same painted wall can look different morning, noon and night -- depending on the lighting (fluorescent or incandescent lightbulbs, for example) and windows/skylights in a room.
  

Using light colors is a time-honored way to make a cramped space look larger. Repainting in a lighter shade -- together with some judicious rearranging of furniture and other elements -- can create the illusion of roominess when actual space is limited. Repainting that cramped and dingy bathroom, kitchen or bedroom in a bright shade of yellow or a crisp white is a great way to make the room seem larger and more spacious. There are other benefits, too: A light and airy space can also do wonders to elevate your mood.

One of the most common of all home improvement projects is the transformation of a bedroom into an office, den, media room or other use. Many parents find that using a college aged child's bedroom for a new purpose is a great way to combat the empty nest syndrome and get on with life.

Color can also be used to make a large space seem cozier and not so big. Repainting that space in a darker, warmer color is a great way to transform that bedroom for its new purpose.

For example, creating a beautiful den -- complete with dark wood paneling and elegant furniture -- is one great way to put that spare room to a brand new use. Selecting rich, deep colors helps to create a warm and inviting space, perfect for relaxing and getting away from the stress of the day.

Just say 'no' to neutrals

When choosing your palette, don't feel limited to whites and beiges throughout. Have some fun, and remember that color is a powerful and inexpensive decorating tool -- and one that can make a real statement. Figuring out just what you want that statement to be is up to you!