Calming Wall Colors

Colors

• Blue, green and purple are primarily considered calming colors. These three are also considered cool colors, but they may be blended with other warmer colors to produce warmer tones. The shades of these colors can influence the perceptions resulting from their use; pastels, lighter shades and pale versions, such as lavender or lilac, are chosen more often than deeper, darker tones to evoke feelings of peace. Bright, vivid shades of color can give you a dramatic burst of color yet still soothe the mind.

Associations

• Blue is associated with sky and water; green is associated with the outdoors, with grass and trees. Green generally triggers feelings of happiness and peace and is restful to the eye. The color also has an anecdotal association with fertility. Purple, or violet, is a rich color, one steeped in a tradition of association with royalty. This color is said to produce a tranquil mood; according to the Home Interior Guide website, it has been used in hospital waiting rooms for this effect.

Warnings

• Deep or dark shades of calming colors can lead to negative feelings. Blue can trigger feelings of depression instead of the intended calm. Blue, green and purple combined with other colors to form intermediate colors such as purple-blue or yellow-green may have strong positive or negative associations. Generally, primary colors receive an overall more positive reception and create more pleasant feelings than intermediate color combinations.

Applications

• Calming colors are useful in rooms where relaxation, focus and serenity are needed or desired. Such colors would make a good addition to walls of a meditation area, a study or classroom. Calming colors can be used as the main color of the room to define the purpose of a space, to set the tone, or the colors can be used as accents or to highlight a single wall to send a more subtle message. You can use the colors in one area of a room to create a small haven within a larger room; for example, to adorn a study nook.

Spaces

• Green and blue, which represent water, would work well in the bathroom, where you go to purify, renew and refresh yourself. In the confusion of transitional spaces, such as school hallways where unruly behavior may tend to occur, calming colors can help maintain order. Use of calming colors in the living room or common areas can help family members unwind and come together in harmony. In a guest room, the color can put your guests at ease. Any of the calming colors would bring comfort and relaxation to a bedroom. Green is considered welcoming, useful in spaces such as kitchens, where people congregate. While Paint Pro Magazine cautions that blue has a dampening effect on the appetite, this effect may make blue a good choice for use in your kitchen or dining room if you have a weight management problem.