Colors and human behavior: who would have thought they are in such a close connection one with another? Now it’s a fact proven by the scientific community: our emotions and moods are affected by the surrounding colors. Particular colors cause us to behave more aggressively, whereas others have the power of calming us down. This phenomenon is a source of fascination not only for psychologists since even interior designers are more than willing to treat it very seriously.
Should we wonder then that specialists have to be so careful when choosing color paints? They got to choose from a large specter of colors and awesome ideas, but they also have to consider the suitability of their project. We can’t expect a hospital room to look like a living-room in a modern private residence. It could be confusing for the patients: red painted walls? What happened to the white, green or blue ones?
Who hasn’t been to a hospital yet? Very few of us haven’t come in contact with such an imposing and intimidating place. Being a patient there or just visiting someone, we all feel how overwhelming presence the hospital is. Yet, a sensation of calm and peace is conveyed upon us the moment we are inside. But how? The answer is all around us and easy to be spotted if we take a look at the surrounding walls and the paint colors on them.
Hospitals show a preference in painting their walls in white, green and blue. The explanation lies in the psychological effects these colors have.
White is by far the most common sight on a hospital. Providing a peaceful and calm mood, it also suggests cleanness. For those in search of an emotional balance, white is again the right choice. It makes patients feel reassured as it is associated with a sterile, germs-free environment. Doctors and nurses are sending the same messages when dressed in their white uniforms.
Belonging to the category of cool colors, blue and green are extremely important. The most relaxing and refreshing colors, they promote peaceful atmosphere and encourage concentration. It is the general opinion that shades of blues and greens make us feel calmer, more balanced and less emotional. Hospital waiting rooms and even psychiatric wards are painted in green due to the fact that this color has a calming effect on our nerves. That’s the reason why surgeons wear green scrubs. What about blue? Blue is a color described as having healing properties. It has often been seen that children in pain are put in a hospital room with its walls painted in light blue.
Before everything else, the general atmosphere in a hospital must make us feel calm and reassured. At the beginning, we might not know how professional the staff is. But we will all look for visible signs to tell us that we will be looked after. And the hospital’s walls, white, green or blue, provide that first impression.