Wall Color in a Room for Baby Development

Pastels

• Pastel tones are favorite choices for infants' bedrooms. They are often soothing hues that inspire a comfortable atmosphere. Yellow, green, blue and pink are nursery favorites, and each has benefits for brain development. Pastels, unlike deeper hues, are non-threatening and social. Aesthetically, pastels work well in small rooms whether they have adequate light. To add visual interest, and maximize a baby's exposure to color, consider mixing and matching pastels and accenting with neutral tones.

Primary Colors

• Primary colors -- red, yellow and blue -- are the colors first identified by infants. These are tones used widely in children's toys and books and are ideal for development. Red tends to inspire positive reactions from infants. It is a lively color that inspires optimism and a love of life and, according to color psychology, increases respiration and metabolism. Yellow is a color associated with the sun, brightness and a sunny disposition. It inspires intellect and idealism and warm feelings. Color selection is especially important, as bright, vibrant tones may be too overwhelming for infants and may lead to excessive crying or anxiousness. Yellow increases concentration and metabolism. Blue is one of the most widely used colors in the color wheel. Depending on the tone, it may create a tranquilizing or energizing effect. According to color psychology, it inspires honesty, integrity, compassion and trustworthiness.

Neutrals

• Neutral tones encompass natural colors; black, white, gray and brown are among the most widely used. In decorating, neutrals are traditionally used as a backdrop and enhanced with bright, bold accents. Modern designs have embraced these colors for a baby's room. Black, gray and dark browns tend to give a sophisticated feel to a room. White and its derivatives cream and eggshell are commonly used colors throughout the home. They are often seen as clean and pure, and are ideal for mixing with just about any other color. Tones that are too bright may be overwhelming for infants, so they should be broken up where possible with bold colored art, furniture and other pieces.

Accents

• To maximize brain development, it is important to expose children to an environment filled with different colors and textures. Encouraging the use of different senses by completing a design with different-colored patterns and fabrics is essential. This is an easy-to-accomplish goal no matter the color scheme. Patterns can be added through bedding -- checks, stripes and polka dots are widely available through faux-fur throw blankets and rugs. Drapes, wall art, mobiles and lighting are also ways to incorporate different colors into the room.