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People instinctively know what colours resonate with them, what “feels right”, but not everyone knows why this is the case. The reasons have more to do with science than sentiment, and choosing an appropriate colour for an architectural or interior design project can be determined rationally, rather than by personal preference alone. And particularly so in the case of healthcare for the elderly.
Correct colour placing is critical so as not to overstimulate or depress the occupants of the space. There is a reason why some colours encourage positivity and are uplifting, and others are, well, just downright gloomy. While context is part of it, it is important to remember that colour comes from light and is part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Each individual colour has a frequency or wavelength. Similarly, each organ of the human body produces a different resonance. In holistic medicine, each organ has been linked to a colour and is affected by the wavelength, which has frequency and vibration.
“It is because the light spectrum works on wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation that specific colour stimulation accompanies a specific response pattern in terms of light and psychological reaction,” explains paint colour expert and qualified chromatherapist Claire Bond, of Bondthrucolour.
Leading coatings company Plascon is well aware of this dimension of colour and has set up the Plascon Colour Consultancy to help members of the trade and the public make informed colour choices. One of the biggest sources of stress when it comes to painting or repainting, is choosing the colour. Yet this needn’t be the case.
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There are some quick wins when it comes to painting a wellness or care home. Using light green is an obvious choice because “research has begun to validate the importance of coloured light in treating illness, the colour green is linked to the heart meridian, which physically governs, amongst other things, our immune and endocrine systems. This explains why light green is an excellent healing colour,” confirms Bond.
Lighter pastel colours – such as cool green – are energetically more calming for people. Greens, blues and green-blues are all colours that put people at ease because they bring a sense of tranquillity. Blue is a good colour for patients as it is soothing and restful – it also helps lower the blood pressure. Green has a less stimulating effect on the body than red because it has a shorter wavelength. The shorter wavelength colours are cooler and less agitating.
Conversely, a deep emerald green colour would not work well in a home. This is because a dark green paint colour would have black in the tint formulation, and black absorbs light. Bond also cautions us to “beware of green with too much yellow in it as yellow has a long wavelength and is very stimulating, so much so, that it can upset a sick patient’s nervous system and worsen their condition.”
If you want to use lime green in a care home, then use it for patients with Alzheimers and dementia in places where you need to grab their attention. It can thus be useful as a highlight or accent colour that gives strong visual cues for things like walkers.
Using colour contrasts and brights can be very helpful as visual cues in other places, too. Think about marking the sharp edges of furniture, the tread on stairs – even the toilet seat. An all-white bathroom may look nice and clean and be conventional elsewhere, but here it is not the best route as it doesn’t help the person using it delineate fittings and fixtures easily. Similarly, consider painting doors to specific rooms in different colours, to help identify which room is which, and painting the doorhandles and railings in contrasting colours so that they stand out.
So white isn’t necessarily the answer. There’s good reason for that. White reflects the highest amount of light. A pure white room is energy-draining because of its high reflective value and the heat it reflects. Pure white actually causes exhaustion so should be exercised with caution.
According to Bond: “It is important to consider the effect on the users of the space. A double-volume area with minimal natural light would appear unwelcoming and cold if painted in pure white. The negative aspect of white paint is its high light reflective value, which produces glare. The glare causes optical fatigue resulting in excessive strain on the eyes.”
Primary red is another colour to be used sparingly, as it is overstimulating. An individual with anger issues will be pushed into an agitated state when exposed to a bedroom wall painted in this colour and this could result in a sleepless night. Instead, deeper, richer colours are better because they give a more comforting, homier feeling. In the case of a person who is exhibiting aggression, soft pink is a better colour to use in their personal space as it helps to ease aggressive behaviour.
Interestingly enough, red is not a complete No-No. When used sparingly and with specific intention it can be very effective. For example, red stimulates brain wave activity and thus can be a useful aid in the case of patients with Alzheimers or dementia for places where you would like to get their attention. Consider eating utensils, for example.
As you can see, it is important to determine what shades of paint are best suited for specific spaces, and particularly when special needs are involved. These choices should be made with plenty of consideration for not only the facility type, but also the area being painted, and the individuals who will be using it.
For more advice on what colours are best to use where, and why, please contact the Plascon Colour Consultancy via email: ColourAdvice@kansaiplascon.co.za.
