The Impact Of Different Colours Within The Classroom

It is well documented that colour can affect the way we think and feel and so it has been put to great use in retail, restaurants and even beauty salons, but have you ever considered how important it could be in the classroom? The wellbeing of students is critical in a classroom environment, and with the right surroundings, it is possible to help shape cognitive, emotional and social development.

The application of colour in each area of a school, college or university can therefore be incredibly important to make sure each space is optimally designed for its purpose.

Here, Stag Painting and Decorating, share their thoughts on the use of colour psychology in education to find out what impact different colours can have within a classroom.

The importance of colour psychology in a classroom

The use of different colours can serve a range of distinct purposes, and in education it is essential that they can foster a stimulating teaching and learning environment while still maintaining a sense of balance.

If there is too much colour then it is possible to create sensory overload which will then affect things like concentration and create distractions, anxiety and even make the people in the classroom feel unwell.

However, if there is not enough colour or the colours have been poorly chosen, it is possible to make the space feel cold, unwelcoming or monotonous which will then hinder the engagement of the students.

The use of colour is not just about creating somewhere that looks good but also finding shades that will enhance the well-being of the students and teachers, creating several different benefits for both emotional health and academic outcomes.

Integrating colour into the classroom

It is important to remember that the colour in a classroom comes from more than just the walls. Things like ceilings, flooring, and accessories can all bring different types of colours into an environment.

One popular concept in classroom design is biophilic design, which involves the integration of natural elements into an indoor space. This helps to mimic the calming effects of the natural environment so that both students and staff can experience reduced stress levels and improved focus.

It has also been found that natural colour palettes can improve physical health as well as boosting trust and confidence whilst enhancing concentration and creativity.

You will also want classroom spaces to evoke a sense of identity and belonging, and colour can play a significant role in this as well. A cohesive colour scheme throughout the setting will help students, parents and educators make an emotional connection with the school environment, helping to foster pride and engagement.

The learning effect of colours

Each colour will have its own effect on the learner, so it is important to understand what each shade will bring and what its benefits can be. When dealing with younger children, it has been found that colourful materials will help to capture their attention and make learning a more enjoyable process.

When this has been achieved, it is easier to increase motivation and engagement, which ultimately will help lead to improved learning outcomes. This is because colourful materials are more visually appealing than black and white ones, so you should make sure that you use colour in a way that can help to maintain a student's attention.

Some studies have found that colour can improve memory retention. Associating a specific colour with a particular concept can make it easier to remember and recall. Colours will also evoke emotions and psychological responses that will influence learning so a strategic use of them can create engaging and effective learning environments.

The physical effect of colour is also important as warm colours have been found to create slight elevations in blood pressure, while cooler colours cause it to drop.

The optical stimulation of warm colours and brilliance of lighting can also increase muscular tensions, respiration rate, heart action, blood pressure and brain activity. Cool colours and dim lighting will cause the muscles to relax and can make people feel sleepy.

The colour breakdown

As green is often associated with nature, it can promote feelings of harmony and balance. It is also known for promoting collaboration which can make it great for communal spaces and classrooms.

Orange is a warm and exuberant colour which is great for socialising in dining areas and reception, whilst the purple spiritual shades are better suited to contemplation areas such as staff rooms and offices.

For practical classrooms, such as science labs, yellow can often be beneficial, and it can also help to promote feelings of cheerfulness and optimism. Soft yellows and oranges have been found to lift the psyche and so can be beneficial for younger children experiencing developmental leaps.

Red is well known as being the colour of energy and passion, which makes it wonderful shade in an interactive participation area. It can be a great colour fit for English, drama and music classrooms.

Alternatively, the calm, contemplative shade of blue suits focused study areas like libraries.

Pink is also thought to be a comforting colour on a subconscious level, as it is believed to remind children of being in the womb.

Thinking about your setting

It can be very easy to simply choose a colour that you think suits a room without thinking about the setting it is in. For example, you may want to harness the benefits that green can bring, but if your classroom overlooks rolling fields then you might find there is enough green in the environment already.

A classroom filled with bright red school uniforms will also not need that shade on the walls as well, as it can simply be too overwhelming. In these cases, it might be good to contrast what is already in the environment to help create a sense of balance.

It is important to remember that colour can be extremely complex and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. It is therefore important to take time to really think through your options and talk to a professional about which colours are best suited to your classroom environment.