The best and worst colours to paint a nursery
The colour you choose to decorate your baby’s nursery is a big decision, but which shades are the least and most popular?
Image: DelightFULL
Painting a nursery is one of the big milestones of preparing for the arrival of a new baby, and something that should be carefully thought through.
But did you know that colour can have a significant effect on everything from mood to wellbeing? Lee Chambers MSc MBPsS, a psychologist and wellbeing consultant walks us through which colours are the least and most popular for nurseries and the reasons why.
What is the most popular colour for a nursery?
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The most popular nursery colour is yellow with a whopping 52% of parents painting their baby’s room this colour. This is not only because it’s perceive by many to be a gender neutral color, but also for being a cheery hue that evokes images of sunshine and happiness.
It may not be surprising that green is the best colour for concentration and encouraging a focused mindset, while purple can create a balance of energy and serenity. The balanced nature of purple is an appealing trait when it comes to decorating a nursery as you want the room to feel as calm as possible.
What is the least popular colour for a nursery?
Image: English Blinds
The least popular colour for a nursery is red with 6% of parents painting their baby’s nursery this colour. Lee Chambers advises that red can create aggression and be far too stimulating for a nursery scheme. “The highly emotive colour of energy and anger. Likely to lead to an excitable, confident child willing to push the limits. However, it is also likely to increase aggression, decrease concentration and overstimulate children.”
Nursery colour tips to consider
Image: Maisons du Monde
“You can bring out the value of colours by pairing darker colours with more vibrant neutral colours. With bold colours, consider utilising them through accessories and balance them with cooler colours,” says Lee Chambers.
Pink is the second most popular colour choice for a nursery. “A popular colour for a bedroom, but not so often elsewhere, pink takes some of the benefits of red and takes the edge off the stimulation. It is calming initially, and can increase compassion, but over time it can become irritating, leading to a disruptive child.”
In contrast, orange is the second least popular colour for nurseries. This joyous colour is proven to inspire communication and to promote better communication amongst family members, but parents may avoid it due to it’s super bright and vibrant nature.