The selection of bedroom colour is a difficult choice. We decided to take a look at the psychological properties of colour, its uses, applications and how to correctly utilise colour in the home.
The humble interaction between light, the electromagnetic spectra and receptors within the eye is truly a wonderful thing. The human eye can distinguish between ten million colours, yet if this seems a vast number one need only think of the myriad of states, feelings and semantic meanings that surround those ten million colours and the ways in which those meanings affect us during our daily lives.
So what colour then, should one use for that most personal of spaces, the bedroom? In our private sanctuaries the role of colour can perform roles as diverse as the expression of our personalities, the creation of havens far removed from the workaday world, or serve in the pursuit of style and bedchamber chic.
Colours for the soul
Psychologically speaking, there are four primary colours. Red can produce feelings of aggression, anger and strain but more positively, is attributed to states of warmth, strength and physical expression. Blue is the signifier of cool, of serenity, a calming colour though that, if used incorrectly, can seem unfriendly and emotionless. For the more emotional among us exists yellow, a colour able to illicit a sense of extraversion, optimism or self esteem, albeit with a sense of irrationality. Finally exists Green, a restful, contemplative colour brimming with feelings of peace and tranquillity. Natural colours such as creams and greys are far more relaxing than energising shades such as pink, aquamarine or crimson, but using the latter on a single wall can reduce the possibility of the room becoming overbearing.
Colour and furnishing
One must always bear in mind practicality and style when selecting the correct colours for a bedroom. Bear in mind the colour of furniture, bed linen and any extraneous details such as throws and pillows that you wish to utilise. Depending on one’s budget, it is often good to start by picking the preferred colour of the room before choosing furnishings; only after one sees the entire room painted and in the light of day can one be completely objective about the choices between different woods and furnishing colours. Just remember that there are far more bedroom furniture styles on the internet than in the traditional showroom; if you’re looking for a bed, click here for some wonderful designs.
Colours for the child
For children the selection of bedroom colour is a prime concern. A century ago educationalist Rudolph Skinner outlined that colour had an enormous effect on the psychological development of the child. Bright, powerful colours can destabilise sleep and breed problems with concentration, so so-called ‘comfort colours’ can be utilised such as pastel blues, shades of peach and creams in order to create a warm, loving atmosphere for the child. As children grow up, more vibrant yet still unobtrusive tones should be used, so as to promote creativity and concentration during learning.
