(ARA) - Autumn is here, which means winter is not far behind. No matter what part of the country you live in, the winter season is colder, slower, and darker. It's a time for "hibernating" in your house. But the lack of sunshine and activity can sometimes have a more negative effect than a relaxing one. When the colors of the flowers, trees, and sky fade, our moods and energy often fade as well.
Short of taking a monthly vacation to a bright, tropical paradise, one way we can keep energy in our lives is with the creative use of color. Winter is the perfect time to spruce up the interior of your home. There are simple, economical ways to add color to your home to improve your outlook during the winter and year-round.

One of the best ways is to use paint. Even if you think you don't have the energy or talent to repaint all of your rooms, don't worry. You can add splashes of color by painting just one wall in a room a vibrant hue. Here are some easy techniques to paint that wall in new and different ways.

First, decide which wall to paint. Every room has its strongest feature. Ask yourself, "What's the most important element, or what do I want people to notice in the room?" When you answer, you have found the focal point. It may be a fireplace, a view, or even a favorite piece of artwork. The wall around that focal point is the wall you want to paint. Bold colors work well on these walls because they tend to be broken by the window or fireplace, so there really isn't that much area to tackle.

Now, which color? Before you pick your color, remind yourself what kind of room you want to design. To add more energy, pick a stronger, bolder hue that corresponds with your existing wall color. It may be a deeper shade of the current color, or a completely different complementary color.

Bright colors may not be right for sleepy bedrooms or calm bathrooms, but they can work well in lively family rooms, busy kitchens, and cheery entryways.

Whether you've selected hot yellow, warm orange, crayon blue, or bright green, the choices for painting techniques are the same: traditional, sponging, or stippling.

Traditional painting techniques use standard brushes and rollers. But you may not realize how many unique brush and roller products are available to make your project easier. Visit your local paint store and ask. For example, The Wooster Brush Company offers a brush called the Shortcut (Q3211). While the brush head is full-sized, the handle is only two-inches long and made from a flexible, elastomeric material. The handle is soft and easy to control, making painting a snap along the ceiling line, in corners, or on trim. The Shortcut works with all latex and acrylic paints or water-based stains.

Sponging and stippling add an interesting texture to a painted surface. In the first method, you use a painting sponge to dab a diluted paint or glaze over your solid base coat, resulting in a finish that resembles the sheen of velvet fabric or artfully crumpled paper, depending on your touch. The Faux Sea Sponge from Wooster (R043) is an economically priced synthetic sponge that has the perfect texture for producing those effects. It works from every angle and is clean, soft, and completely reusable.

Stippling generates a texture finish with a flecked or dotted look, almost like specs of color in water. It is quickly done with an unusual paint roller from Wooster. The Stippler roller (R250) is as easy to use as a regular roller; it just has carpet-like twists instead of flat fabric. For a subtle finish, use it with standard paints (latex, acrylic, or oil-based). For a moderate stippled effect, use The Stippler with texture paints.

Beyond a full wall, you can add color to a room by painting smaller surfaces. How about the baseboards? Try a contrasting, bold shade on just this area. The baseboards will function like a ribbon on a gift, adding a happy, finishing touch to the room. You could also paint the top of a dresser or table a different color from the rest of the piece. Or just the door leading into a room.

To quickly paint baseboards, doors, furniture, inside cupboards or drawers (what a great place to add the surprise of color!), and behind radiators, look for a trim roller like the Wooster Mini-Koter system. These long, thin rollers are excellent for projects like these. They are easier and faster to use than traditional paintbrushes, and they have multiple rollers with different fabrics to match any type of paint.

Finally, you may just want to try stenciling. Many home improvement departments and craft stores carry stencils in a wide variety of designs, from ivy and flowers to graphic flourishes. Add these designs (using bold colors, of course) around windows, doorways, or focal points. The Wooster Stencil Brush (1895) has stiff, densely packed bristles for complete, smooth coverage. Its short, rounded handle is designed to be cradled in the palm of the hand while comfortably dabbing paint or ink through a stencil.

The use of color is limited only by your imagination. Don't be afraid to express your personality and raise the energy level of your home by using your favorite shades on key areas as well as unexpected places. Look around the interior of your home for creative ways to add color and lift your mood.. through winter and year-round.