Neutral kids room colors

The Best Room Colors For Kids, Based on Science

The Best Room Colors For Kids, According to Color Psychology

17 August 2020 • Words by Lauren Breedlove 4 mins

4 mins

17 August 2020 • Words by Lauren Breedlove 4 mins

The environment we live in impacts our mood, outlook, behavior, and even our wellbeing. Lighting, color, and decoration all play a part. This certainly rings true for the colors in our kids’ rooms. According to a study done by the University of California, children are extra sensitive and impressionable about their surroundings. Their findings suggest that younger kids respond positively to lighter colors while dark shades tend to have a more negative association. Knowing this, it’s important to consider the effect that colors have on their environment for sleep and relaxation purposes.

Color psychologists recommend painting your child’s room with a calming palette to help prevent overstimulation and anxiety and assist in promoting calmness, relaxation, and learning. So, while fun, vibrant colors might come to mind when decorating your little one’s room, it’s important to remember that sleep is the main function of their bedroom. Bright colors are best left for the playroom. Yellow, for instance, is a cute, upbeat color, but the lively daytime effect it gives off might disrupt sleep patterns for your kids. Instead, you could consider a pale, yellow accent color to create a bright, airy effect.

Off-Whites

When choosing a paint color, psychology suggests that you want to strike a balance between dark and light shades. Darker tones can hinder mindfulness, affecting sleep quality and patterns. The goal is to create a comfortable space that feels safe and serene for your child to promote a positive frame of mind. This can be accomplished with pale or muted color schemes, as well as neutrals and earth tones vs bold and overly-vibrant shades.

Instead of stark white, off-whites like cream, eggshell or ivory, will add some warmth in addition to opening up the room, space-wise. Adding accents of a very pale pink or green creates a calming combination while adding a bit of depth to the decor.

Soft Blues

A study conducted by the Journal of Applied Psychology concluded that lighter blues can have a positive emotional effect on children. Make sure to avoid darker hues and opt for soft, warm colors to set a more tranquil ambiance. For example, a sky or pale blue. Lighter-toned blues are actually said to slow heart rates and reduce blood pressure, as well as create a meditative effect.

Light Greens

Besides being a great gender-neutral color option, subtle greens like sage, moss or a faded mint shade can also be very soothing. Light greens have been known to promote health as well as concentration for learning; proof that getting a healthy dose of greens is always a good idea.

Faded Lavenders

A twist on the classic pale pink, softer purples like lavender, lilac, violet and periwinkle promote relaxation. This is exactly what you’re going for when choosing a color for your child’s room. These powdery tones can create a more serene environment compared to a darker, more intense purple.

Warm Beiges and Grays

Neutral, earthy tones with warm properties will also add feelings of calm and contentment to your child’s room. The uniformity of beige, tan and soft grays promotes peacefulness and rest. In addition, these colors can be a great choice for siblings of different genders that share a bedroom.

To combine more than one color, you can use layers or accents with some of the pastel and subtle shades. The important thing is to avoid creating an atmosphere that clashes or appears too busy as it may result in overstimulation before bedtime.

For the color impaired, this is a handy tool for choosing complementary paint colors from the color wheel.

Shy away from intense or bold colors like bright reds and deep purples. Opting for muted tones can have a positive impact on your child’s mood and promote sleep and relaxation. When picking out a color, go one or two shades lighter. It’s a safer bet as it almost always appears darker once applied to the wall

Lauren Breedlove

The 9 Best Paint Colors for a KID'S Room (Bedroom, Nursery, Playroom): PART 2 of 3

BLUE, PINK, GRAY, VIOLET & MORE

Whenever I have clients with kids, there’s often a struggle between what the kid wants and what the parent wants. The kids often gravitate towards colors in the ‘primary’ – aka ‘visual punch in the face’ range (blue/red/yellow), whereas parents often lean towards the softer more subtle versions of these colors. And of course, there’s the odd brave parent who lets their kids pick their own colors – bless their hearts. NOT THIS MOMMA! I am WAY too much of a control freak for that.

So what do you do when you and baby-boo are at odds over paint colors? You read this…

Tips for choosing paint colors with your kids for their bedroom…

1. Don’t let them pick the color they want

Ask them to tell you TWO different colors that they would like on their walls – ie: blue, green

Go to the paint store (by yourself) and pick up 3-4 different versions of these colors that you can live with. Now don’t go all boring and earthy – stretch your comfort zone a bit and look for colors that bridge the gap between their need for bright and your personal tastes.

Show them the 3-4 color chips that you’ve pre-approved and let them pick the one they want and really…let them pick it. You may have a fave, but you’ve already narrowed it down to what you can live with so leave the rest up to them.

2. If honey boo-boo insists on a dark or wild color then choose a SINGLE WALL for that color to go on

Tell them that three of the walls will remain white/cream/gray and they can put WHATEVER color they want on their one feature wall (usually the wall that the bed is on). When they get bored of this color (which they will) it’s an easy change.

3. Install a chair rail

Choose a neutral/off white/gray for the top portion of the walls and let them choose the color for the bottom (either their own choice or one of the ones you’ve narrowed down for them). This works for a few reasons…

When they inevitably get bored with this month’s favourite color you won’t even need a ladder to change it up. All it will take is a gallon of paint, a bottle of wine, and an afternoon.

If lil Johnny chooses Fire Engine Red as his most fave color or sweet Petunia wants a black feature wall, it won’t feel like you get punched in the face with color every time you walk in the room as the color will essentially be only on 1/3 of the wall space.

You don’t EVER have to change the top color. If you choose a color that is neutral/off white/white then all you ever have to change is the bottom.

I don’t have photos of each of these colors in KID’S room’s colors, but you’ll still find the info you need, along with other photos for general reference.

The Best Benjamin Moore Paint Colors for KID’S Rooms

1. BENJAMIN MOORE STONINGTON GRAY

Stonington Gray is an awesome light gray with subtle undertones. It’s a great color for a south-facing room or a well-lit NORTH-facing room, but you may want to go a touch lighter if you have a room with low light.

BTW, in the above photo, Stonington Gray looks CONSIDERABLY warmer than it usually does; the color by the orange drape is the truest.

SIMILAR COLORS TO CONSIDER: Sherwin Williams On the Rocks, Big Chill, First Star, Benjamin Moore Gray Owl, Stonington Gray

2. SHERWIN WILLIAMS SEA SALT OR RAINWASHED

If you love the look of green or blue-green, Sea Salt or Rainwashed are GORGEOUS options. Just be sure to read their full color reviews (especially Sea Salt) as it can be a ninja!

OTHER BLUE-GREENS TO EXPLORE: Benjamin Moore Woodlawn Blue (shown below), Palladian Blue, Sherwin Williams Tradewind

3. BENJAMIN MOORE LILY LAVENDER

If you’re looking for a violet that both you and your child can live with, one that isn’t too punchy nor too passive, Lily Lavender might just hit the spot!

SIMILAR COLORS TO CHECK OUT: Benjamin Moore Beach Plum, Lavender Ice, Sherwin Williams Sensitive Tint

The Best Purple (Violet) Paint Colors

4. BENJAMIN MOORE NEWBURYPORT BLUE OR HALE NAVY

If you’re looking for a striking navy blue that isn’t TOO heavy, Newburyport Blue is a STUNNER. It’s a classic navy blue look without the visual weight of Benjamin Moore Hale Navy, which is equally as stunning.

OTHER NAVY BLUES TO CHECK OUT: Read this – The 12 Best Navy Blue Paint Colors

And speaking of samples, undoubtedly, you’ll be heading out in the near future to grab paint samples – stop right there! I want you to check out SAMPLIZE. Samplize offers peel and stick paint samples that are more AFFORDABLE, EASIER and more ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY than traditional paint pots. Here are just a FEW reasons why I recommend Samplize to my clients…

Samples arrive ON YOUR DOORSTEP in 1-3 business days, depending on location
At $6.99, they’re more affordable than the samples pots/rollers/foam boards that are needing for traditional paint sampling
If you keep the samples on their white paper, you can move them around the room

Visit the SAMPLIZE website HERE

5. BENJAMIN MOORE CHELSEA GRAY

If you’re looking for a gray with a bit more meat on its bones, look no further than Chelsea Gray. This is a SOLID charcoal gray paint color, and while you wouldn’t know it, it’s even slightly warm. It also has a slight green undertone that doesn’t always show up to the party. A color like this also makes for an AWESOME feature wall!

Benjamin Moore Platinum Gray shown in rose/white bedroom

OTHER CHARCOAL GRAYS TO CHECK OUT: Sherwin Williams Dovetail, Dorian Gray, Classic French Gray, Benjamin Moore Amherst Gray, Platinum Gray

6. SHERWIN WILLIAMS CLOUDBURST SW 6487

If you’re looking for a FUN color, either for the whole room or as a feature wall, Cloudburst is BURSTING with color, without going too far.

OTHER TEALS TO CHECK OUT: Sherwin Williams Reflecting Pool, Peacock Blue

The 8 Best Blue-Green Blend Paint Colors

7. BENJAMIN MOORE BALBOA MIST OC-27

Balboa Mist is a BEAUTIFUL warm gray with a soft, violet undertone. It looks especially gorgeous with charcoal and white accents.

OTHER WARM GRAYS TO CHECK OUT: Benjamin Moore Classic Gray, Rodeo, Sherwin Williams Gossamer Veil

8. BENJAMIN MOORE PINK BLISS 2093-70

It’s easy for pink to look overwhelmingly like bubble gum or Pepto Bismol, which is why Pink Bliss settles in such a SWEET spot between bright pink and a more passive approach.

See this WHOLE room HERE

OTHER PINKS TO CHECK OUT: Benjamin Moore Peach Kiss, Sherwin Williams Intimate White, Faint Coral

9. BENJAMIN MOORE COLORADO BLUE 2136-50

With its soft green-gray backdrop, Colorado Blue is my GO-TO blue for a kid’s room. Sitting right in the middle of dark and light, this blue adds personality to a room without being punchy or overbearing.

OTHER BLUES TO CHECK OUT: Benjamin Moore Van Courtland Blue, Buxton Blue, Sherwin Williams Interesting Aqua

Want to create a PALETTE for your kid’s room with ACCENT COLORS? Be sure to read PART 3 – How to Create a Paint Color Palette for a Kid’s Room

A few more things to think about before you choose your fave…

What is the room’s exposure? North facing rooms often suit warmer colors, whereas south-facing rooms love the cooler end of things. Have an east or west-facing room? read THIS

Is the room dark, does it have good natural and/or artificial lighting? This can play a big part in choosing the best paint color!

What color is the carpet? Make sure that the undertones of your carpet jive with the undertones of your wall color.

The Best Paint GRAY Color PALETTES for a Kid’s Room: PART 1 of 3

Not sure which color is best?

Check out my affordable Online Color Consulting and E-Design Services.

Chat soon,

READ MORE

The Best Paint GRAY Color PALETTES for a Kid’s Room: THE SERIES: PART 1 of 3

How to Create a Paint Color Palette for a Kid’s Room: THE SERIES: PART 3 of 3

The Best White Paint Colors

The Best Paint Colors for a Girl’s Room

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN IN 2017, AWESOMELY UPDATED IN 2021

9 beautiful combinations with a photo

It has become quite customary to decorate the boy's room in blue tones, and the girl's room in pink. But maybe you should try more interesting color combinations for children's design? Especially if you have two children of different sexes! Dekorin offers 9 color combinations for different tastes that can make your child's bedroom stylish and fun at the same time. These colors in the interior of the children's room will appeal to both kids and demanding teenagers.

Children's room colors: how to choose the right ones

Before choosing specific colors for a child's room, you need to decide how they will be applied. Does it make sense to paint the walls or glue wallpaper in bright colors on them? In the end, even the design of the nursery carefully thought out by the parents will not last long in its original design. Children's toys and accessories are accumulating at a rapid pace, including colorful books, toy containers and stuffed animals that will eventually take a prominent place in the interior. Therefore, it makes sense to choose neutral colors for the walls of the children's room, which will allow all this chaos to look more restrained.

As you will see in the photo in this article, you can bring bright colors into the room not only with wallpaper, but also with carpets, children's bedding, curtains, pillows, furniture and small decor. We are moving on to 9 trendy color combinations in the interior of the children's room, and do not forget to save the best ideas as you browse!

Also Read: Top 10 Interior Shades for 2017

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Unlike harsh light green, mint green does not get tired over time and easily refreshes the interior, so it can be used in combination with warm and bright tones, such as pink. This color choice for a nursery is primarily for a girl, but if you change the pink to a bolder red, it may well fit for a boy.

2. Interesting colors for a boy's children's room - orange and blue

Almost all children like the juicy orange color of oranges and, unlike other bright colors, it goes well in the interior with most other shades of the rainbow. If you are worried that you can oversaturate your child's bedroom with the energy of this color, then combine it with a cool navy blue. It has the ability not only to soothe, but also to increase attention and concentration, which can be useful to a student when doing homework.

Choose blue for large items such as curtains and walls, and use orange for small details, bedding, nightstands, lamps, etc. A great color choice for a boy's nursery and for teenagers!

Also read: Creative ideas - what you can do for the nursery with your own hands

3. Children's room design in black and white

mind. However, together they work surprisingly well, creating a versatile backdrop for adding detail in any complementary hues. A black and white children's room design can be even more successful if you use unusual black and white photo wallpapers or chalkboard effect paint on the walls of the nursery, on which the child can create his own masterpieces.

If words don't convince you, check out this color combination in the children's room in the photo!

4. Trendy colors for a girl's children's room - pink, beige and gold

A very warm, delicate and feminine combination of colors for decorating a girl's children's room in the spirit of a fairy princess bedroom. Using a pastel light pink shade will make the design of the children's room less boring and more suitable for a young girl coming out of childhood.

Also read: Choosing wallpapers for a girl's children's room

5. Children's room interior in red and blue colors

Red is one of the most popular colors in the world of children's clothing and toys. Take fire engines and racing cars, the Spider-Man theme, baby patterns with red apples and strawberries… Blue color helps to balance the room with bright red details, makes it more boy-friendly and generally the perfect color combination in a children’s room for two children of different sexes. .

6. Children's room in green and yellow

Another interesting color combination for a child's room shared by a boy and a girl! Moreover, these colors bring a fresh and sunny mood to the interior, which can create an unobtrusive playful atmosphere, especially when combined with white or light gray tones. The children's room in green and yellow is decorated in the style of spring decor and looks very fresh and bright.

Also read: Window sill table - an original solution for a nursery and other rooms

7. The combination of beige and white colors in the interior of a nursery

For many years, beige has been the most popular neutral shade in interior design. The serene combination of beige and white in the nursery soothes both babies and their weary parents. And when your kids are a little older, the beige and white palette will be a great backdrop for the many colorful toys and accessories.

Tip: If you want to give a more interesting and playful look to a child's room in beige and white, use patterns and stripes on wallpaper, rugs, curtains or other design elements.

8. Blue and Lilac for Kids Room

An unusual color combination that works amazingly well for both boys and girls! However, girls will probably prefer light and pastel shades, such as lavender and pale blue in the interior of a children's room. Look at the photo examples of the interior of the children's room in blue and lilac!

Also read: Which wallpaper will suit which curtains? Ideas for combinations with photo

9. Children's room design in various bright colors

A great way to please children without having to choose just one or two colors for a child's room is to choose all, or almost all, shades of the rainbow at once. For this bold move, try decorating the walls in a neutral color and also include at least one colorful item in the nursery, such as a rug, curtains, or wallpaper. An example of how it was done in children's rooms, see the photo in this article!

As you can see, the correct use and combination of colors in the interior of the children's room allows you to use any color. Some of them alone are hardly suitable for decorating a nursery, but in combination with another color, even the darkest color will look advantageous and interesting. Don't forget to create and create space in the nursery with your child. Good luck!

Color in the design of a children's room

The influence of the color of the interior of a nursery on a child

The color of a children's room sets the atmosphere and affects the mood of the little tenant. A child surrounded by bright objects from childhood develops color perception earlier. He begins to quickly understand the content of colors and distinguish the color palette. Proper color design contributes to sensory development, education of aesthetic taste and the disclosure of creative potential in children.

Studies show the relationship between a child's psycho-emotional state and colors. In the course of experiments, it was found that color causes sensory sensations, specific associations and emotions at a subconscious level.

Red - increases activity and emotional arousal.
Orange is the most energizing color. It enhances cheerfulness and tones.
Yellow - gives a feeling of joy and encourages action.
Green - focuses attention and increases efficiency.
Blue and blue - have a relaxing effect.
Dark shades of black, gray, brown increase anxiety and depress the nervous system.

For hyperactive children, it is recommended to decorate the room in pastel shades of green, blue, blue. Neutral colors have a calming effect on the body and help to relax faster. They increase concentration while studying. Nuclear colors in the interior will provoke emotional outbursts.

The room of a shy and sedentary child is advised to be done in bright colors. Recommended colors are orange, sunny yellow, pink, light green with a warm undertone. These colors help the little esthete to be emotionally liberated, stimulate mental efficiency and physical activity, and improve appetite.

Features of the choice of color for the design of a children's room

It is important to dose the colors in the interior and combine them harmoniously. In the role of the dominant color, pastel shades are preferred:

pale pink;
sky blue;
ivory;
beige;
sand;
pistachio.

It is worth abandoning the idea of a monochrome room, and using several colors for decoration. A calm dominant color is best diluted with a rich contrast. For example, choose bright furniture, textiles or decor, decorate part of the wall in orange, mint or azure. As a result, the interior will be dynamic and balanced.

An excess of blue can lead to constant drowsiness and nervous tension, and an abundance of red shades can lead to emotional overload and aggressive behavior.

With the help of lighting they dilute the atmosphere of the nursery. Here you need to adhere to an integrated approach - to combine the main and local lighting. As the main lighting, you can use a chandelier or a pendant lamp in the center of the room, and concentrate recessed spots around the perimeter of the ceiling.

It is necessary to provide local illumination of functionally significant areas: a sleeping place and a working area. To do this, it is advised to install sconces, table lampshades with diffused warm light, table lamps or floor lamps with directional light. The light mood of the room is created by decorative lighting of furniture, shelves, niches, paintings using spotlights and miniature spots.

Actual colors for the children's room

Experts from the Pantone Institute have identified the actual colors for 2019-2020. The most trendy shades for children:

peach cream;
Dusty Blue Grey;
yellow-orange mix;
basic light grey.

The interior trend of 2020 is natural and geometric elements. Designers suggest using them in decor, as a pattern on wallpaper, prints on textiles. Children are inquisitive by nature, so they will look at bright ornaments with interest.