Community Voices for Health

By: Lauren Tankle

 

When painting the walls of our children’s room we often choose the color either based on the child’s preference or the color that will match with our existing furniture, but is there more to our children’s bedroom wall color psychologically than we are aware of? I’ve compiled a list of colors and their complimenting personalities to aid any parents who might be on the fence choosing bedroom colors for their kids or even themselves.

 

Reds

Associated with energy, war, danger, strength, power, determination, passion, desire, and love.

(Allegedly) Enhances human metabolism, increases respiration rate, and raises blood pressure.

It attracts attention more than any other color and is most stimulating.

Used most in marketing.

Gives the feeling of warmth.

If you are trying to promote more activity in a specific area then using a bright bold color, such as red, is a perfect backdrop for that setting. However, this color is most stimulating and should be kept to small doses if the area is occupied by very young children and children who struggle with anxiety and staying focused.

Yellows

Associated with joy, happiness, intellect, and energy.

Produces a warming effect, arouses cheerfulness, and stimulates mental activity.

(Allegedly) generates muscle energy.

Bright, pure yellow is an attention getter.

Yellow indicates honor and loyalty.

Yellow is used most to highlight the most important aspects of things. They are highlighted yellow to grab attention, much like cabs. Yellow is most perceived as youthful which is why it is used less in marketing colors than other colors. Yellow can also represent spontaneity and instability so it might not work best for a child who needs a routine or one who is struggling to be consistent in a specific routine such as bed time.

Oranges

Combines the energy of red and the happiness of yellow.

Associated with joy, sunshine, and the tropics.

Represents enthusiasm, fascination, happiness, creativity, determination, attraction, and success.

Promotes encouragement and stimulation.

Gives off an illusion of warmth.

Liked most by younger children.

Encourages appetite.

Orange is a little less extreme than red. It is still a very stimulating and vibrant color but doesn’t have the same symbols of danger and caution most kids associate with red. Orange is a good alternative if you are nervous about using red in a bedroom but want to promote activity within the child’s bedroom walls. Perhaps consider painting one accent wall orange and the surrounding walls a neutral color as to not overstimulate the room aesthetic.

 

Greens

Color of nature. It symbolizes growth, harmony, freshness, and fertility.

Strong emotional correspondence with safety.

Dark green is also commonly associated with money.

Has great healing power.

Green suggests stability and endurance.

Considered beneficial to the mind and body.

Slows human metabolism and produces a calming effect. 

Green is perceived as a calming color because it is most recognized in nature. Interior designers use a lot of greens and blues in hospitals because of the healing properties that come from its calming effects on the human psychology. Many studies found that the health of patients that had plants and views to nature actually increased opposed to those who did not. This color is a good choice for kids who get very anxious or need more reminders of stability & safety.

 

Blues

Blue is considered beneficial to the mind and body.

It slows human metabolism and produces a calming effect.

Blue is strongly associated with tranquility and calmness.

Blue is a known appetite suppressant.

In a survey done by House Beautiful Color Report, blue was found to be “America’s favorite color.” Because blue is also a prominent color in nature, it has the same healing properties of calm and stability as green. Corporate companies like to use blue because it symbolizes intelligence and intellect. The familiarity of blue might be something that would benefit being in your child’s room if they feel uneasy about unfamiliar places.

 

Purples

Combines the stability of blue and the energy of red.

Associated with royalty. It symbolizes power, nobility, luxury, and ambition.

Associated with wisdom, dignity, independence, creativity, mystery, and magic.

You might want to consider purple for a very imaginative child as a canvas for their creative play.

 

Black

Associated with power, elegance, formality, death, evil, and mystery.

A mysterious color associated with fear and the unknown (black holes).

Usually has a negative connotation (blacklist, black humor, ‘black death.’

It is considered to be a very formal, elegant, and prestigious color.

The symbol of grief.

I wouldn’t recommend black for most children because of its negative connotation of the scary and unknown unless your idea is to make them more familiar to the color in hopes of getting rid of their negative idea of the color black. Used in small amounts or in conjunction with white, it is a way to mask the scariness of the color. Black can end up looking pretty jaw droppingly beautiful if done right. Chalkboard walls are a growing trend, as well. I would try to keep a chalk wall to one wall and then maybe expand later on if you feel the need to. Having dark colors can make the room seem a lot smaller than it actually is. It can cause the room to kind of look like a cave, but I think some kids might love that.

 

White

Associated with light, goodness, and innocence.

Signifies safety, purity, and cleanliness.

Usually has a positive connotation.

Too much white can look very stark and sterile like a hospital operating room. White mixed with other colors can really brighten a room with its reflective properties. It can simplify a space, as well, if a child feels too overwhelmed with colors and clutter.