Colour is a powerful tool when it comes to health and wellbeing with many studies and much research conducted to determine the individual, psychological effects that certain colours have.

It has been shown that tranquil colours in pale shades can have a positive impact in the mental health sector, others can invoke a feeling of calm and positivity and, in education, selected colours can help with learning and study. Furthermore, it can make a tangible difference to care given in both the dementia and general health care sectors.

Dementia friendly colours

In 2018, Dulux Trade launched a dementia friendly interior colour range that had been based on extensive research to understand the positive and negative impact that colour can have. For example, differentiating between walls and doors by using contrasting colours and ensuring that there is a thirty point variance in Light Reflective Value (LRV) between one adjacent surface and another has delivered significant results and, using calm colours for bedrooms to promote rest and wellbeing have all been shown to have positive impacts for dementia patients.

This integrated with the new interactive Healthcare Colour Palettes, endorsed by the Department of Health, which looked at the impact colour has and the way that improvements could be made in four key areas – wellbeing and positive attitude of patients, healing and recovery rates, efficiency of care and staff morale and retention to determine the effects that colour can have on patients and visitors which also included colour schemes for patients, colour in public spaces, colours in patient rooms such as wards, paediatrics and intensive care and treatment and therapy rooms.

For example, brighter colours were found to have a positive impact on paediatric wards and associated areas, whereas operating theatres tend to be decorated in shades of pale grey or blue to provide a contrast for surgeons after prolonged viewing of deep red colours.

Whilst the research extends to all areas of hospitals and healthcare buildings these two examples also demand high levels of cleanliness and maintenance. Such research can easily be translated into our comprehensive range of products that have the ability to support the use of colour in healthcare, care home, mental health and education sector and can be used to great effect combining building protection with aesthetic design.

 

The perfect colour for classrooms

A recent example of colour and learning showed that green aids concentration, orange enhances mood and blue assists with productivity and whilst this study pertained to e-learning and study material, such theories can easily be transferred into the interior of the classroom and study environment.

This reinforces the fact that colour can do so much more than merely make a building look aesthetically pleasing; research into product suitability and colour perception can make a significant difference to patient wellbeing and recovery, the successful studies of students and the contentment of residents at care homes.

Wall murals

Our digi-print sheet allows for the bespoke printing of images and corporate logos suitable for hall ways and entrances. We also supply Inpro IPC Aspex Wall Protection Sheet which allows for full photographic images to be reproduced in addition to bespoke and vibrant images which would be ideal in children’s wards or a waiting room environment.

I-Gienic wall protection, door protection sheets, grab rails and more, all come in a range of colours with some allowing bespoke colour matching.

The Intastop team is proud to work with NHS trusts, care home providers, education trust and local councils and a whole host of industry professionals to ensure the benefits of colour in all environments in these sectors can be reaped.

 

Call us on 01302 364666 to find out more.