Should You Paint Your Therapy Office Black, White, Blue, Or Yellow? What You Should Know

Creating an atmosphere of comfort and that exudes a sense of privacy and a state of calm is perhaps the common goal for most therapists who do one-on-one counseling sessions in a traditional office setting. Picking a paint color for the walls may seem like a simple thing to do, but science has already given the world knowledge that color has a direct effect on how people feel and react. Therefore, picking the proper paint color is something that has to be done carefully. Here is a look at some of the common paint color questions and the answers you should know. 

Is it better to paint the office black or white?

Stark white walls may seem like they would offer the most professional personality in a psychological setting, and in some cases, maybe that is true. However, bright white is actually thought to be a little off-putting for some people. Research has found that white colors can potentially make some people feel less like they should share their intimate thoughts. Psychologists were even found to be more favorable when in a setting that had more black, which was found to put people in a more relaxed state.

Are cool paint colors better than warmer colors?

Warmer colors were shown to increase blood pressure in a small study of 24 people. Blue has actually been found to decrease blood pressure, which is a good reason why there are so many therapy centers and medical centers that pick blue paint as a primary paint color or have their facilities outfitted with a lot of blue. Even these facts about red, yellow, and blue would make you think that cool colors must be better than warm ones, that is not always the case. Green, for example, is thought to have different effects in different circumstances.

Wouldn't bright colors make people feel more pleasant?

It is easy to assume that a bright color like neon yellow or bright chartreuse can help people feel more chipper or cheerful, and for some people, maybe that is true. However, neon and extremely bright colors can also be most effective to invoke positive emotions in children. One study published in the Journal of Genetic Psychology found children most often have positive reactions to bright colors. If you are working with adults, however, the brighter colors may not be as appropriate if you are trying to create a positive atmosphere.

For more information about commercial painting, contact a company like Paint Applicators.