There’s hardly a secret anymore that human behavior is highly influenced by colors. Scientific studies have proven that our emotions and mood are affected when surrounded by particular colors. Some cause us to be more aggressive, whereas others have a soothing effect on us. From psychologists to interior designers, everybody seems fascinated with the phenomenon.
No wonder then that when it comes to paints, specialists are extremely careful to make the right choice. As their ideas come as colors do, in a wide variety, ultimately the only thing they have to consider is the appropriateness of their vision. For instance, a hospital room wouldn’t be painted in the same shades as a private residence’s living room. The patients would it find difficult to cope with some red painted walls instead of the usual white, green or blue ones.
We all may have in contact, one way or another, with the imposing, intimidating places which are hospitals. Either as patients or visitors, we are most certainly overwhelmed by their presence. But, once inside, hospitals have this huge power of conveying a sensation of calm and peace. How do they manage to do that? It’s simple to find the answer by just taking a quick look at the walls and noticing the colors they are painted in.
Hospital walls are usually covered in colors such as white, green and blue. There is an explanation behind these choices and it has to do with the psychological effects these colors have.
White is the most common color to be seen on a hospital wall. And that is due to the peaceful and calm mood it provides. Other reason for choosing it is the fact that it denotes cleanness. It implies sterility, which has the effect of making patients feel reassured. This is also why doctors and nurses wear white uniforms.
Blue and green are considered to be the most relaxing and refreshing colors, promoting peaceful atmosphere which encourages concentration. Designers, psychologists and feng-shui experts, they all tend to consider that shades of blues and greens make us fell calmer, more balanced and less emotional. Because green has a calming effect on our nerves, hospital waiting rooms and even psychiatric wards are painted in this color. And surgeons wear green scrubs for the same reason. As for blue, it has often been noticed that children in pain are put in hospital rooms painted in light blue due to its healing effect it conveys.
When coming inside a hospital, the general atmosphere must make us feel reassured and calm. Before knowing anything about the staff’s professionalism, our worried look will check for visible signs that we will be well taken for. And the hospital’s walls, either white, green or blue, are our first impression.
