The psychology of colour in healthcare environments
In the world of healthcare, creating a soothing and efficient environment is key. One often overlooked aspect when designing a healthcare environment is the role of colour psychology. The colours you choose can significantly impact the mood, productivity, and overall well-being of both patients and healthcare professionals.
The impact of colour
Colour has a major influence on our emotions and behaviour, it can affect our mood, concentration, and even our physical well-being. For many organisations, understanding colour psychology is a key consideration when designing a healthcare facility and selecting furniture. Here are a few thoughts on how different colours can impact your environment.
Blue for tranquility and trust
Blue is a popular choice for healthcare environments due to its calming and trustworthy qualities. Light blues can promote a sense of tranquility, clarity and trust, making them suitable for patient rooms and waiting areas. Darker blues can convey professionalism and confidence, making them suitable for offices.
Green for healing and harmony
Green is often associated with healing, growth, and harmony. It's a good choice for healthcare settings where patient recovery is important. Incorporating green into the decor can create a sense of well-being and tranquility. Consider adding plants to introduce the benefits of nature into healthcare spaces.
Yellow for optimism and positivity
Yellow is a cheerful and positive color that can enhance feelings of warmth and optimism. It's well-suited for healthcare settings where a friendly and inviting atmosphere is desired, such as family waiting areas. Yellow accents, like artwork or furnishings, can add a welcoming touch to healthcare facilities.
Red and orange for energy and passion
Red and orange are bold and energetic colours that can stimulate excitement and passion. It's often used in small doses to create a sense of urgency or to draw attention. However, too many bold colours can be overwhelming, so use them sparingly in accents or accessories to add a dynamic touch to your environment.
Neutral colours for versatility
Neutral colors like gray, beige, and white offer versatility in healthcare design. They provide a clean and professional backdrop, allowing you to incorporate pops of color through furnishings, artwork, or accessories. Neutrals help maintain a sense of calm while preventing the environment from feeling overly clinical.
Putting colour psychology into practice
To put colour psychology into practice when designing your environment:
Identify the purpose: Consider the primary function of each space and choose colours that align with its purpose. For example, soothing blues for patient rooms and vibrant yellow accents in family-friendly areas.
Consider your brand: If your facility has a brand identity, consider incorporating brand colours into the decor to reinforce your identity and values.
Balance and contrast: Use a combination of colours to create balance and contrast in your environment. This can help make the areas more visually appealing and promote a sense of healing and well-being.
Consult a designer: If you're unsure about which colours to choose, talk to one of our interior experts who specialise in healthcare environments. They can provide expert guidance and also help bring designs and ideas to life using our in-house interior design and 3D rendering service.
