Now that my bun in the oven is totally “out” (there’s nothing like announcing it to the world at large) I’m liberated to admit things like “lately I’ve been reading nursery decorating books.” And my favorite one so far is Feathering The Nest by Tracy Hutson. But wait, don’t tune out yet all of you non-baby people…
Because not only is it packed with gorgeous eye candy (much of which is totally green and intentionally geared towards stimulating baby’s brain and keeping children’s safety in mind), it also has lots of interesting researched information, like a detailed write up about the impact of color. And it’s not just baby-skewed. Many of the color studies were performed on grown ups too, so imagine our surprise when we read things like “couples argue most in yellow kitchens.” Here’s an eye-opening rundown of each color and what some studies suggest that it means to the people around them (all according to Feathering The Nest):
Red-
- increases energy and enthusiasm
- generates excitement
- instills confidence
- associated with energizing organs, blood circulation, and the senses of hearing, smell, taste, vision and touch
- recommended as an accent since it’s intense
- might hurt a person’s ability to settle down or concentrate for extended periods
- an occasional bold stroke of it can encourage attention to detail
Orange-
- cheerful, bold, daring, spontaneous
- creates a sense of adventure
- encourages confidence and independence
- takes creativity and enthusiasm to new levels
- stimulates the lungs, respiration, and digestion
- reputed to increase milk production in new mothers and boost the appetite
- may elevate IQ as much as twelve points
Yellow-
- the most visible color
- sparks optimism, enlightenment, energy, creativity
- stimulates mental activity and memory
- said to encourage expression and communication
- believed to heighten mentality and strengthen muscles
- can assist in concentration, memorization, visualization skills, speaking, and writing
- some research showed babies cried more in yellow rooms
- other studies also found that couples argue most in yellow kitchens
Green-
- said to be the most refreshing color and the easiest on the eyes
- brings peace, rest, hope, comfort, balance, and harmony
- creates a sense of safety and security
- good for preemies or infants with gastroesophageal reflux syndrome
- strengthens and preserves eyesight
- alleviates depression, nervousness, and anxiety
Blue-
- perceived as a constant in our lives since it’s the color of the ocean and the sky
- soothing, calming, tranquil, peaceful
- may encourage individuals to be trustworthy, committed and dependable
- is used to help babies with respiratory distress syndrome
- decreases heart rate
Purple-
- a rich uplifting color
- provides a sense of calmness
- promotes inner strength
- inspires creativity and artistic talents
- is associated with respect and spirituality
- may calm a colicky baby and foster peaceful sleep
- provides a soothing effect on the ears, eyes, and nervous system
Pink-
- sweet, calming, innocent
- pink symbolizes youthfulness and softness
- it’s often associated with kindness
- said to heal sadness
- allows individuals to get in touch with their feelings
Brown-
- deep connection to the earth
- has natural and organic components
- is believed to afford a sense of stability and wholeness
- a very grounding color
- provides a feeling of order, reliability, and protection
Black-
- a submissive color
- makes a room appear smaller for a cozy, stabilizing feeling
- promotes a sense of bring grounded
- strengthens the ability to focus and gain a sense of self
White-
- a pure and joyous color
- symbolizes cleanliness and new beginnings
- aids in clear thinking and encourages clarity
- generates a sense of balance and harmony
- is associated with speedy healing
- a common color to treat depression
So what do you guys think? Does it have you rethinking any color choices you’ve made in your home? We’re relieved to hear that blue may encourage people to be trustworthy, committed and dependable since it’s our bedroom choice. Whew. And how about that yellow kitchen bombshell? We’ve seen tons of them and they always seem so cheerful. Let’s talk about color… and how it makes you feel.
Psst- This post includes an affiliate link.
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