Psychologists have explained how wall colour affects stress, sleep and thinking

The choice of colour for renovation is not only a matter of taste and fashion trends, but also a factor that directly affects mental state, concentration and even productivity. Jeff Beattie, a psychologist and professor at University College London, writes about this in his article for The Conversation, based on the data of modern psychology and neuroscience.

According to the expert, the colours that surround a person at home can affect emotions, stress levels, sleep quality and cognitive abilities - often unnoticed by the person.

Bright or neutral: what the science says

Neutral shades - white, grey and beige - create a low visual load and help reduce stress. They visually expand space and can have a positive effect on mental performance. However, too cold shades of grey or sterile white walls in poorly lit rooms can cause a feeling of emptiness and depression.

Despite the trend away from white interiors to more saturated colours, psychologists advise avoiding overly bright shades. Low to medium saturation colours that are comfortable in the long term are considered the optimal choice.

Best colours for work and leisure

According to research, blue and muted greens promote creativity and improve concentration. These shades are particularly suitable for home offices and work areas.

Green, a colour associated with nature, helps to reduce mental fatigue and restore attention. This effect is widely used in the concept of biophilic design, which implies the "presence of nature" in an interior.

Warm colours, such as soft yellow, are better suited to social areas. It makes you feel cosy and invigorated, but yellow that is too rich can increase irritability.

Why red is not the best colour

According to psychologists, red activates physiological arousal: it increases heart rate and anxiety levels. It is also associated with danger and alarm signals. Studies show that even the sight of the colour red or the word 'red' can impair performance on intellectual tasks.

Therefore, using red in workspaces is not recommended. For a home office, a better choice would be blue, which is associated with sky and water and promotes calm concentration.

Rule 60-30-10: how to combine colours

Interior experts recommend the 60-30-10 rule:

• 60% - main colour (walls, large furniture),

• 30% - additional shade (curtains, carpets),

• 10% - accent colour.

Although the connection of this rule with the "golden ratio" is not scientifically confirmed, it helps to create a visually balanced space.

As an example, the psychologist offers a combination:

• main colour - soft sage green,

• the complementary colour is warm cream,

• accent - muted gold.

This approach, according to him, reduces stress, creates a feeling of cosiness and adds to the interior symbolism of confidence and stability - provided it is moderate.

Conclusion

Wall colour is not just a decoration. It shapes the emotional background, influences thinking and behaviour and can either aid recovery or increase fatigue. Psychologists advise to approach the choice of palette consciously, focusing not only on fashion, but also on the peculiarities of human perception.