The Perfect Color for a Baby Room

Did you know that room color can impact how much your baby cries, how much sleep they get, their heart rate or even their appetite? You bet!

Most people know that color can have dramatic and subtle effects on a person's mood (which is reason enough to carefully select a color for a child's room.) However, that isn't the whole story. Colors have been used throughout history to encourage health, create mood and feeling...even help reading and productivity! More importantly, colors have been studied intensely and proven to generate known outcomes. If you are about to paint your baby's room, or change the color of your child's room, consider the following carefully before your paint purchase.

Red: Though red is high-energy, brings people together and stimulates conversation, it is the most intense color and causes adrenaline to pump. Red is probably not a solid choice for an infant who needs peace or a child who tends to be more hyper or tense because it has been shown to raise blood pressure (increase circulation), speed respiration and heart rate.

In fact, darker shades of red, like crimson, can cause some to be irritable, evoking rage or hostility. No one wants an irritable baby, or a hostile child!

Pink: Though pink is often affiliated with romance or love, researchers of color psychology have found that the calming effects of pink only occur during the initial exposure to the color.

Since pink is a mix of red and white, the moods created with those colors will often transcend over time, even though the color is a mix. In other words, just like red, pink can subtly generate the same feelings. One study showed that when used in prisons, inmates often became even more agitated once they become accustomed to the color. If you go with pink, the less red (or more pastel) the shade, the better call the color will be for a little one.

Yellow: Although yellow is a cheery color (and communicates happiness) it is fatiguing to the eye due to the high amount of light that is reflected. Yellow can also create feelings of frustration and anger. In fact, people are more likely to lose their temper in a yellow room. Babies also seem to cry more in a yellow room.

Chromotherapy believes yellow stimulates nerves. So if your baby is premature, when nerves can be a fragile balance, this would definitely be a color to avoid.

On the upside, yellow can increase the metabolism. This, combined with cheer, may make yellow the perfect choice for a more lack-luster child. Much like pink, the more white (or pastel) the yellow hue, the better the wall color becomes for a child. This will reduce the dramatic (and negative) effects of an otherwise positive color.

Blue: Interesting facts about blue, that may make your room color choice a breeze:

- Blue brings down blood pressure, slows respiration and heart rate (and can even reduce body temperature,) which is why it's considered calming, relaxing, and serene.

- Research has shown that people are more productive in a blue room (which is why many offices are blue.)

- Blue is considered least appetizing.

- Blue can come across "chilly" in a room with little natural light. (So, if using blue in a small space, go a little darker or choose darker furnishings/fabrics.)

- Dark blue evokes feelings of sadness.

With the right shade, blue could be a great choice. But, green may be even better...

Green: Green is considered the most restful color for the eye. Combining the refreshing quality of blue and the cheerfulness of yellow, green is the most neutral color in terms of temperature. Researchers have also found that green can improve reading ability and is even thought to relieve stress or help heal. Those who have a green work environment experience fewer stomachaches! This sounds like a great choice for baby, especially with digestive problems so forefront in the early months of life.

Purple: You can't go wrong with lighter versions of purple, such as lavender and lilac. Not only is purple affiliated with luxury, it lends to comfort, creativity and safety! Purple bring the same restful quality to bedrooms as blue, without the risk of feeling chilly.

Orange: Avoid it. Orange evokes excitement and enthusiasm. Being a mix of red and yellow, choosing orange as a room color for your child, you risk combining negative moods for a child you aim to bring peace to.

White: Though white is clean look and even deco, it tends to be very stark and unsettling. (In addition, white in a kid's room, is probably not going to be sterile-looking for long: fingerprints!) White is best used to create a sense of space or add highlights, more than serve as the primary color. If you go with white, parents may want to keep in mind that a touch of rose, ivory or gray is more comforting.

No matter what color you select, remember that color is intended to liven things up. If you subtract color, you calm things down. So keep it calm by selecting soft hues that create the space of peace you and your child need...and deserve!

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Resources:
http://freshome.com/2007/04/17/room-color-and-how-it-affects-your-mood/
http://www.bhg.com/decorating/color/color-affects-mood/
http://psychology.about.com/od/sensationandperception/a/colorpsych.htm
http://www.showroom411.com/AskRick/Question/paint-color-effect/53