The Powerful Ways Color Can Alter Your Mind

​There's a reason behind that aversion to yellow, that continual gravitation towards black, or why blue and white is a perennial favorite. Certain hues trigger instinctual reactions and can affect our moods in the most subtle ways. This infographic from UK-based fabric designer Vanessa Arbuthnott breaks down the meaning behind eight colors and the ways in which they affect our psyche.

Some explanations are no-brainers: Yellow represents energy, happiness and attention, while pink represents love and sweetness. And it's common knowledge that red cars can trigger aggression on the road. But did you know that babies cry more in yellow rooms? And that green can prevent nightmares?

So when it comes to decorating that bedroom, it's best to stick to green, lilac, pink and blue, and avoid yellow. Try orange, a social color, in public areas of the home, and use blue in the office to boost productivity and intelligence.

Scroll down to read more about how color affects the mind. If it inspires you to repaint? These are the hues interior designers swear by.