What color to choose for a nursery – this question is asked by all parents when equipping a room for both a toddler and a school-age child. Of course, if we are talking about an older child, then you can simply ask him what color he likes best. But if the nursery is intended for a very small toddler or the child does not have any preferences, then a scientific approach can be used in the choice of color, namely, three methods of shade selection: by temperament, by subconscious influence on the child’s psyche and by color theory, which depends from the age of the child.
By temperament
Color has a strong enough effect on the child’s psyche, therefore, when choosing the color of wallpaper, furniture or curtains, one should be guided by the advice and recommendations of psychologists, taking into account the temperament of each child. The right color will create a sense of harmony, and the wrong color can cause irritability or discomfort..
From the point of view of psychology, four temperaments are only one of the possible systems for assessing psychological characteristics, but it is this that is traditionally used to typify the characteristics of the character and behavior of children.
Melancholic
Melancholic: preferable gray tones, shades of brown and yellow. The melancholic is prone to constant experience of various events, he reacts sharply to external factors. In the rooms of melancholic people, psychologists advise using a neutral background and bright accents, which contribute to raising the activity of melancholic people..
Phlegmatic
Phlegmatic shades of orange and red are recommended in combination with muted tones of green. The phlegmatic person is unhurried, unperturbed, has stable aspirations and mood, outwardly stingy with the manifestation of emotions and feelings. Orange is associated with warmth, joy and happiness, it cheers up and inspires.
Sanguine
Sanguine will feel more comfortable with dull purple tones. A sanguine person is a lively, hot, agile person, with a frequent change of impressions, with a quick reaction to all the events happening around him, quite easily endures his failures and troubles. Purple should be used in small amounts in a sanguine person’s room, as it can cause fatigue with prolonged exposure..
Choleric
Choleric blue, blue and green are best. The choleric person is fast, impulsive, but completely unbalanced, with a dramatically changing mood with emotional outbursts, quickly gets tired. Blue and green colors have soothing properties, they have a direct association with nature..
By psychological impact
Color has a definite effect on the human psyche. Below is a table of colors that describes the possible effects of each color on a person. It should be noted that this interpretation is just one of the many theories on color psychology..
Red color has an exciting effect on the psyche, can lead to hyperactivity, fatigue, nightmares, in a small amount it has a positive effect on slow and phlegmatic children.
Blue has a depressing effect on the nervous system: with prolonged exposure, it can cause depression and fatigue. This effect of blue is reduced by the fact that it is associated with nature: sky, water, but still present.
Green – helps to relax and calm down, has an analgesic effect, promotes good mood, concentration.
Yellow is not as aggressive as red. Gives positive emotions, increases visual acuity, but is contraindicated in case of overexcitation and neuralgia.
Orange – causes pleasant excitement, but in large quantities it causes fatigue. Increases appetite.
Also, it is worth mentioning the well-known theory of perception of Luscher color – this is a theoretical basis for the Luscher color test, which provides the basis for the interpretation of a person’s subjective relationship to certain colors..
According to color theory by age
For older children, colors can be selected based on Rudolf Steiner’s age theory of color. According to this theory, each age corresponds to a certain color in which the child feels comfortable. This does not mean that it is necessary to re-glue the wallpaper every year or repaint the furniture, you can simply complement the decoration of the room with accessories in the appropriate color scheme:
6 – 7 years old – red, dark pink;
8 years old – orange;
9 years old – yellow;
10-12 years old – yellow-green, green;
13 – 14 years old – greenish blue, blue;
15 – 16 – clear blue, blue;
17 – purple
When dealing with the issue of the color scheme of your child’s room, remember that everything should be in moderation – combine colors, combine shades, use various patterns – only in this way the room will become a comfortable area for recreation, study and entertainment for the child. And of course, listen to the opinion of the child, because the color recommended by experts may simply not like him.
Good luck!
