Kids love colour but does it always make sense  to paint kids rooms using their favorite colours?

When it comes to painting kids rooms, having a like knowledge about colour psychology makes a lot of sense.

As parents we not only want to design and decorate rooms for our children they love and enjoy spending time in but we also want to create an environment that works for them e.g. one that’s organized and focuses on a colour or colours that compliment our children’s personalities.

For instance, learning about the psychology of colour will help you find the right colour scheme for a hyperactive child or assist you in the selection of just the right shade to put a vibrant and more energetic spin on a room for a quiet, more reserved child.

White represents purity. It can make your child’s bedroom appear larger and more spacious but can also make it seem cold and unwelcoming.

Black generally implies death and fear but can also be representative of something that is classic or modern. While the colour black can make a kids room seem smaller it can also be overpowering when used in excess. In other words, a little black goes a long way. Be selective in its use and combine it with another colour.

Gray falls right between white and black. Depending on the shade, gray can make a room seem larger or smaller. Gray can also be neutral or evoke strong emotion.

Red can not only make your heart beat faster but when used excessively, can raise your blood pressure. Too much red can be overpowering. The colour red is representative of love, passion, heat, and war.

Orange embodies both energy and happiness. It is a feel good colour that falls right between red and yellow and thus borrows positive emotions from both.

Yellow while generally a happy and upbeat colour can also make you feel annoyed or angry. It can also mean sunlight and optimism. In its neutral state, it is a natural feeling colour with positive undertones. Pale yellows will make your kids room feel more spacious while deeper yellows will brighten bedrooms short on natural light. 

Green evokes feelings of nature and goodness. It reinforces self-esteem and suggests hope. Green symbolizes everything from youth and good luck to movement (as in a green light) and good health.

Blue is confident and stable. It is non-threatening but dark blues can also evoke feelings of depression and coolness. Mid-tone blues can represent bright open skies and calm oceans. Blue can also soften a bright kid’s room and make your child feel comfortable and cozy.

Purple is noble and royal. It combines the stability of blue and the energy of red. Depending on the shade, it can take on the characteristics of blue or red. It is also the colour of pride and wisdom.

Pink is a less saturated shade of red, it is lighter and represents fresh flowers and femininity. It evokes sympathy.

Brown represents earth and has an environmental quality especially when coupled with green. Brown evokes feelings of everything from filth to a richness of nature.

Warm colours
Found on the red side of the colour wheel, warm colours have a tendency to communicate warmth, intimacy, and relaxation as well as a sense of closeness and comfort. That said intense colours like reds and oranges tend to stimulate and excite. If your child is warm and affectionate and loves to spend time in her room relaxing your may want to suggest a paint colour from the red side of the colour wheel.

Cool colours
Located on the blue side of the colour wheel, cool colours have a calming affect although intensely cool colours (very dark ones) have a tendency to overwhelm and depress. Cool colours tend to keep you at a distance which is likely why some people respond to light blue tones with some reservation. Painting kids rooms, light colours such as blue green, light blue, blue-violet and even white have a calming effect, making your child’s bedroom feel spacious and relaxing.

Earth Tones
Muted ground colours like grays, browns, beige and pale yellows act as an anchor. They’re a good choice for hyperactive children as they create a sense of warmth, comfort and relaxation.
Books on colour psychology are a great way to learn more about finding the best colours for painting kids rooms. Besides checking out the psychology of colour books found at your local library, you may want to drop by your local paint store to play with a colour wheel. A colour wheel is a great tool to have when trying to come up with just the right paint colours for your kid’s room.

< Back to Painting Kids Rooms

If you have a kid's room decorating question or would like help developing your kid's room decorating idea please click here to contact us.