When it comes to painting a kid’s room, it may seem simple to just add a coat of their current favorite color over all four (or more) walls and leave it at that. But did you know that color can affect mood? Kids are especially susceptible. When it comes to colors, psychologists are now weighing in on the importance of choosing the right colors to paint a kid’s room. Kids’s moods are affected by their environments, and that includes the colors in their rooms. That’s why in today’s blog we will be going over the different effects that color has on kids, how it influences mood and how to use it. Prepare for a deep-dive into colour psychology (aka colour meanings, colour theory, colour theory psychology)!
Primary Colors and Mood
The science of colors has been in use for a long time. If you’ve ever been inside a hospital, you may notice that everything is a shade of white or grey, uncomfortable and sterile. Meanwhile, the inside of a kindergarten classroom may be painted a cheery bright color that makes it feel warm and energetic. These color schemes were carefully chosen because of the effect they have on the people who spend a lot of time in those rooms. Like those examples, the color chosen for your kid’s room will influence their mood.
Choosing the color for a kid’s room deserves some careful consideration. Here’s a list of the primary colors you may be considering, and how they can affect mood:
Red
Red is an especially stimulating color. It can energize kids and potentially increase focus – making it a popular accent color for classrooms. However, too much exposure to red may trigger aggression in some kids. Red is perfectly fine as an accent color in a room, especially if you are trying to balance out cool colors. Pair it with a pale blue to help create a synergy of calm and stimulation without overwhelming the color scheme.
Orange
Orange is a bright and cheerful color. It has been shown to enhance communication and socialization. Kids who play in rooms with orange color schemes tend to be more cooperative, extroverted, and confident. Of course, as with any warm color, too much orange can be overstimulating and may wind up having the opposite effect, causing kids to feel irritable. . Orange is best used as an accent color, especially the softer shades. Soft shades of green, lavender, or neutral cream color go well with it.
Yellow
Yellow adds an upbeat and sunny vibe. Kids who work or learn in yellow rooms benefit from increased concentration and have better memory recall. Keep in mind, if you have a child who tends to fight bedtime or wake up early, yellow will make that problem worse. If a room gives off too much of a “sunny” vibe, an overexcited child may find it very difficult to unwind. Yellow works very well as an accent color when paired with gray, blue, or green.
Green
Green brings the freshness of nature and outdoor play indoors. Many schools choose to use green in classrooms because green may increase reading ability, as well as reading comprehension. If your child does the majority of their homework in their room, green might be an excellent choice. As with any cool color, the darker the shade, the gloomier the room. A forest or pine green can become depressing, whereas a mint or tea green can help soothe an anxious child. Pair it with a warm color to effectively contrast its effects.
Pink
Pink is calming, and encourages feelings of empathy and nurturing. It can lead kids to behave in more caring and considerate ways. The biggest issue with pink, though, is that it overstays its welcome; perhaps quicker than any other color. Too much exposure to pink can be irritating, and cause headaches, or even feelings of nervousness. Kids will often grow sick of the hue and ask for their room to be repainted. Contrast it with other colors such as brown, blue, purple, or white.
Purple
Purple is a color that inspires thoughtfulness, sensitivity, and spirituality. Adding purple to a child’s room can help slow down their hectic pace, and help them pause to consider the thoughts and feelings of others. If you already have a sensitive child, purple is probably best left to accents. And, as with any cool color tone, overdoing it can lead to a depressing atmosphere and sluggishness. You can brighten up purple with its contrasting color; orange. You can also use darker shades of purple to tone down brighter colors like green or pink.
Blue
Blue is a calming and reassuring color. When it comes to room colors, the list often starts or stops with blue. That is because it is often suggested as a room color for kids who are especially prone to tantrums. Just be careful not to go overboard. Creating a room that is overwhelmed with blue can overshoot the calming effect and wind up stimulating depressing and sluggish behaviours. Try balancing blue with a splash of yellow or red.
Bring Even More Life to Your Kids Room With Wall Decals
Now that you have some ideas for colors, why not add some accessories to help bring even more life to the room? Adding wall decals will help break up blocks of color: look for products displaying your child’s favorite activity or sport to give the room a comfortable and more personalized feel.
Wall decals from Hockey Rooms can be custom-made and produced in Canada. They can be peeled off and reapplied at will: with proper removal, they will not take your paint with them! Interested in adding some flair to your kid’s room? See what Hockey Rooms has in-stock today.