Psychology of Colors: The Right Shade for Your Kid’s Room

There’s a whole lot of psychology behind good interior design. After all, interior design isn’t just about adding some wallpaper, furniture, and accessories to a space, but an act of creating a home with emotional resonance.

There’s no question about it: Design affects human psychology, and is directly associated with the emotions in a person’s subconscious self. Little decisions you make in decorating your living spaces can have big impacts on your outlook and your mood – starting with color!

Design Psychology and Children

First thing’s first, if you’re looking to revamp (or set up!) some dedicated space for your little one – be it a bedroom or a playroom, you need to consider your audience.  Children are highly curious and emotional. They easily get attached to the people and things around them. Be it a bedroom, study room, or just a favorite play tent in the corner, kids need a space in the house that is theirs – that they equate with safety, happiness, and that homey feeling. These private spaces contribute to kids’ overall growth and development.

Creating a personal, kid-friendly, and calm environment in the kids’ room requires a blend of psychological and design considerations – to facilitate greater use of space, avoid clutter, and bring in some natural lighting and mood-lifting colors.  Wow!  That’s a lot to consider.  So let’s start simple and stick with the colors.

The Psychological Effect of Colors

Did you know that your color choice can directly affect your child’s personality, level of stress, and receptiveness?  According to Demense, choosing the right interior color that has both physiological and psychological components creates a perfect space.  You know your child better than anyone – as well as the personality of your family.  Are you (or they) generally more rambunctious?  Consider a calm and tranquil retreat for balance.  Do your kids have trouble focusing?  Avoid colors that promote eye fatigue in the study room.  Whatever base colors you choose, feel free to play with color combinations as well.  You’re going to want to have a well-rounded child so keep in mind to mix it up and have fun!  And check out the different effects colors have on your mood:

Blue

• Blues relax, soothe, and make us feel more spiritual and centered.
• Blue improves productivity.
• Right choice for a kids´ rooms where they will be studying.

Red

• Red increases blood pressure and respiration rate.
• Red also makes people lose track of time and stimulates appetite.
• Red is a powerful color, so it is generally best used as an accent.

Yellow

• Yellow tends to cause more eye fatigue than any other color.
• Yellow often makes many people feel cheerful, energetic, and happy.
• Yellows also frequently prompts more opinionated feelings than other colors.
• Use it sparingly for joyous pops of color.

Green

• Greens represent a vast range of natural colors.
• Green tends to calm and relax; it´s a healing color.
• Lighter shades are easy to live with for a long time.

Orange

• Oranges are warm, welcoming, and vital.
• They are bright, cheerful, and tend to improve appetite.  

Purple

• Purple may be the most opulent of colors; and often connotes mystery or spirituality.
• Lighter shades like lavender are some of the daintier colors favored by many young girls.
• In certain shades, it can become a subtle but very flexible neutral.

Black

• Black is a color that draws out submissiveness.
• Some find black to be timeless, classy, and sophisticated.
• Black might not be a great choice for background color especially on walls.
• Black used with a mix of white and bright colors often looks very modern.

Pink

• Pink is an interesting color because it has the cultural associations of being feminine.
• Pink rooms reduce angry behavior; at least temporarily.
• Pink generally is a comfort color and is favored by many for its sweet, childlike appeal.
• Pink is a good choice for a young child´s room; especially for girls.

Grey

• Grey tends to enhance creativity, which makes it a good color for offices and studios.
• Grey is also favored as an executive color.
• Greys on walls provide a flexible neutral background for furnishings, and can be extremely stylish.

Brown

• Brown is all about security, credibility, and reassurance.
• It also tends to be soothing and comfortable.
• Browns wear well and are good for rooms that get a lot of use, like family rooms.
• Browns also work well with spicy or warm colors.

The Effect of Interior Colors on Children

Given the psychological influence of widely used colors, it’s quite clear that colors are associated with moods.  They can boost or depress one’s mind. Children need an interior atmosphere that can help them grow and explore, in addition to promoting a calm, stress-free haven.

And the right balance can even help improve your kids’ school performance.  According to an environmental psychology professor at Massasoit Community College, “The goals [of good interior design] are to integrate environmental factors such as HVAC, illumination, color, art, and ergonomics into the unconscious mind, so that one’s perception is positive which, in turn, shall motivate one to be more effective in academia, in the community, and in the workforce.”

Understanding the psychological effects of each color is important before choosing one for your child’s room. A sophisticated interior design, with a pinch of positive energy, makes for one happy kid!

Have you considered the psychological impact of colors in your child’s room?  Which colors did you settle on?

All images via Houzz