How Kids Room Colors Affect Their Moods

So you’re thinking of redecorating your kids’ rooms. They are very excited and eager to help with the projects. They even want to choose their paint colors. Little Johnny wants a bright red room while big sister June wants an all-pink room. But before you head out to your local paint and hardware store ready to buy Lightning McQueen red and Millennial Pink, there are a few things you should know about colors.

Color has the ability to change your entire mood. It can inspire, excite, soothe, heal, and even agitate. Choosing the right colors for your children’s rooms isn’t as simple as picking the color your kids requested. We’re not saying turn down their color request, either. But some colors can cause overwhelming feelings in too much quantity and those colors work best as accent shades.

Red

Red is energizing and exciting...which is why it is probably not the best overall color choice for a kid’s room. The color red can literally increase your heart and breath rates and too much exposure can incite aggressive behavior and inability to focus.

Orange

Perhaps the most misunderstood of colors, orange is considered a warm, friendly and youthful color. Orange encourages confidence, extroversion, and independence in children. The nature of the color helps kids feel at ease and it also inspires communication and cooperation.

Yellow

Yellow is a motivating color. Light yellow shades aid in concentration while brighter shades of yellow can improve memory. Be careful with choosing this color as an overall paint choice. Too much exposure can create feelings of agitation and anger.

Green

You can’t go wrong with the color green. This calming, natural color is soothing to children and some scientists have found that it could improve reading speed and comprehension. With its anxiety-reducing effects, green is a perfect choice for an all-over paint color.

Blue

Unlike red, blue is calming and relaxing. The color blue has been proven to lower anxiety and aggression as well as blood pressure and heart rate. This color is particularly good for children who have tantrums and other aggressive behaviors.

Purple

This ambitious, self-assured color is associated with royalty for a reason. This color inspires passion, creativity, wisdom, and spirituality. Purple is a deep, emotive color that can encourage sensitivity and compassion in children.

Pink

There is a reason pink is Aerosmith’s favorite color. Pink is a calming color for both boys and girls, although it is traditionally associated as a girl’s preferred color.

Warm Colors

Warm colors like beige, brown, and tan inspire feelings of happiness, coziness, and comfort in most people. These shades also make large, open spaces feel more intimate and help your child feel less overwhelmed by the large, open area.

Cool colors

Though cool shades are often associated with hospital and clinical environments, lighter cool colors can be calming for children. Pair it with warm creams and soft, comfy textiles to add warmth and comfort.