Orange You Ready For a Jolt of Happiness?

Bring a Little Sunshine Into Your Life All Year Long

If you see orange in your home only once a year, it's time to give it a second chance.

"Orange is the ultimate anti-depressant," says Jonathan Adler, the potter, decorator and shop owner. "It's the color of sunshine. It's crisp and refreshing. It will always be my go-to color for a jolt of happiness." Adler, whose signature "10 Commandments for a Happy, Chic Home" include "Thou shalt not be afraid of orange," says he pairs it with white, chocolate brown, navy and lemon yellow.

Orange paint has gained popularity in the past few years, says Jackie Jordan, a director at Sherwin-Williams. "Two or three years ago, it was a bright, citrusy orange," she says. "Now we're seeing a little shift to the spicier side, with colors a bit more toned down." The paint company is including a nutmeg shade of orange, Tiger Eye, in its color forecast for 2009.

If you're thinking about painting with orange, it's best to do so in moderation, Jordan says. A muted orange would work well in a powder room, she says, while a brighter shade would be fun for an accent wall in a child's bedroom.

Another option: painting a single piece of furniture for a small yet bold statement.

Or try Adler's approach and add an orange piece as a "punctuation mark" to your decor. "An orange lacquered tray, an orange ceramic bowl or an orange side table can instantly make a space feel hip and alive," he says. "How can you feel sad if you are eating your cereal out of a bright orange bowl?"