• Paint your walls a rich purple shade.paint brushes image by Horticulture from Fotolia.com
  
  The hot intensity of red and the cold sophistication of blue combine to produce the opulent color purple. Dark and mysterious, purple is a daring color to use for interior painting, but the right shades and placement can make a room feel cozy and luxurious, not heavy and crowded.
  
  

Featured Presentation

• Use bold shades of purple where you want to draw attention in the room. Bright purples are sometimes visually overwhelming, so use them in the form of lamps, pillows or vases. If you're feeling adventurous but don't want too much of a good thing, try creating a featured wall. Choose one wall in a room, preferably one of the shorter sides if the room is rectangular, and paint it a vivid violet. Keep the other three walls a neutral color. You can also take the paint sample with your desired purple on it, and use a color that's a few shades paler. Avoid using pure white for the other three walls because the contrast may be too jarring. Use the featured wall to showcase an attention-grabbing piece of furniture or artwork.
  
  

Midnight Oasis

• Decorating a special room of the house in a warm, sensual style is reminiscent of the Victorian trend of having an exotic "Moroccan" room. Use a satin finish paint in an amethyst or deep violet color for an intimate gathering space or a formal dining room. Accessorize with rich textures, such as velvet pillows or an ornate rug, and jewel-toned colors. Mirrors and polished metals reflect light and balance out the darker hues. Use lighter colors for the ceiling and floor so that the room doesn't look too dark.
  
  

Lavender Fields Forever

• The scent of lavender is very relaxing, but the color of lavender is visually restful, which makes it ideal for bedrooms, bathrooms and casual living areas. Paint the sunniest room in the house in a light lilac. On painted walls, pale purple can look more vivid in sunlight and slightly darker in artificial light, so use a flat finished paint one shade lighter than you had originally intended. Complementary colors, such as mauve and yellow, can add to an airy, springtime feel as can bright whites.
  
  

Modern Monarchy

• Purple is associated with royalty because dyes of purple were once only accessible to the wealthiest members of society. You can create a regal but modern master suite by painting the walls with a warm plum or burgundy-colored satin paint. Use a pure white paint for the trim. Add black or dark wooden Japanese-inspired furniture and white window dressings or bed linens. The black and white contrast sets off the rich tones of the walls.