Are we afraid of color?

We swoon over the soft teal fabric with a touch of citron and the orange accent lamp with the brocade shade. We fall for the red bedspread and the handwoven rainbow rug. Then, when it’s time to make a choice, we choose beige. Why?

Susan Sargent, author of The Comfort of Color, calls this chromophobia—a fear of color. You have to wonder what we’re afraid of. After all, there was clearly a time when we couldn’t get enough pink.

Paint companies know this, too. While there’s always that towering wall of swatches, most of us still choose neutrals. Sargent says it’s not that we love white—it’s that we’re afraid of the alternative: color.

But color has its benefits beyond looking lively. It can affect our mood, spark creativity, and make a space feel more personal. Finding your inner color—and celebrating it—can give you a room that reflects your personality.

Discover Your Inner Hue

To find your true inner hue, take this quick color test. Check the statements that sound like you:

• When your high school friends went out for sports, you chose the debate club.

• Face it: you return more than you keep after a shopping spree.

• You practically married the first person you ever dated.

• You’re the “yes” person at work—always volunteering and working extra hours.

• You’re the boss, and everyone knows it. You leave early.

• EST, Kabbalah, and Neti pots—you’ve tried them all.

• You’ve been called arrogant by everyone but your grandmother.

• There’s nothing wrong with a good cry at a movie or wedding.

• You record Jeopardy!.

• You’re involved in too many charities to count.

• Cat person, plain and simple.

• You believe in life on other planets and admire the blue chick with the eight arms.

• No doubt, you’re one of the most interesting people you know.

• You did—and still do—spend part of your day daydreaming.

• Sweating the small stuff makes things go smoother later.

• You define yourself by your family.

• You were always good at sharing—and still are.

• You haven’t given up your dream to live off the grid.

• You make your own decisions and stick to them.

• You’d rather be home than anywhere else.

• Spontaneity is not the same as impulsive. Okay—it is.

• You almost never say no when someone needs help.

• You’re confident and sure, even in job interviews.

• When you played army, you were the lieutenant.

• You’re often the life of a dull party.

• You wear white—even to a wedding or funeral.

• You’d rather give in than get your way.

• You frequently rearrange rooms.

• There’s no such thing as too much of anything.

• Broke? No big deal—you make your own.

• You can’t wait for jury duty.

• You relate to Tinkerbell—especially the flying part.

• You always tell the truth, even if it hurts.

• You talk to complete strangers in stores.

• You wear the pants in your family.

• You’re a licensed backseat driver.

• You protect your turf—literally.

• You’d rather shop the farmers market than South Coast Plaza.

• Winning is everything.

• People say you’re stubborn. You don’t agree.

• You’d rather travel than read a good book.

What Your Results Say

Count how many A, B, C, D, E, and F traits you circled.
The letter you chose most often is your dominant inner color; your next most frequent letter is your secondary color. Read your color personality below.

Green: You have a confident, caring nature and seek peace. You relish the outdoors—birds, sea creatures, and wide-open spaces. Use fern, sage, and basil greens with white. Open the windows and try a terrarium or succulent centerpiece.

Yellow: You radiate positive energy and humor. You’re the original happy-face person. Choose soft washed lemon with celery green, or a sophisticated citron-and-gray palette.

Lavender: So what if everyone says you’re still a hippie? You never miss the Sawdust Festival and own every Harry Potter book. You’re a child of the universe. Lean into plum, hydrangea, or a hint of violet with soft sage green. Lavender people love the arts but tend to be more subdued.

Orange: You’re a sociable foodie who loves to cook, entertain, and hit the farmers market. Use copper accents in the kitchen, soft blue details, and pops of orange with Fiestaware.

Blue: You like your surroundings safe and calm. Blue offers a soothing escape from a busy day. Perfect for a bedroom retreat or spa-like bath—think white subway tiles and soft blue towels. Turquoise is a bit bolder; blue-gray offers a refined compromise.

Red: Passionate, ambitious, and perhaps a little pushy. Choose red for floral arrangements, not carpets. Tone down your fire with soft gray-pinks—the color of romance.