The Right Colors for Your Playroom

Bright and flashy rainbows might be "cute," but they might not be what's best for your little ones!

When we think of playrooms, we think of rainbows, bright colors, lots of toys, and maybe even a lot of clutter. But quite frankly, those types of playrooms tend to be overwhelming and overstimulating for our little learners (and for us adults too)!

I personally like to start with a blank canvas. This allows you to add color through decorations and toys!

The colors we choose for our playrooms can have a direct impact on our children's behavior. If we take a look at the psychology of color, we will find that humans react to each color differently.

Red - Stimulates the body... in other words, creates hyper kids

Orange - While people describe orange as happy and uplifting, it can be too bright and overstimulating. Orange is associated with increased energy levels.

Yellow - Another "happy" color. When used in moderation, can appear warm and bright. But depending on the shade and if there is too much yellow in the environment, it can lead to visual fatigue and become overwhelming.

Pink - Typically is associated with joy and creativity.

Blue - A great color for playrooms! Blue can help calm people and make them feel safe, but depending on the shade, can also make people feel distant or "cold."

Green - Another favorite color of mine for playrooms! Green is often described as a refreshing and tranquil color. People associate green with nature, making them think of trees, grass, etc.

Brown - This is a color that can swing either way. It can either invoke feelings of strength and reliability, or it can make people feel lonely and sad. This is a color that's better used in light shades and as accents. In other words, don't go painting an entire wall dark brown!

White - Represents purity and innocence. This is a color that can also swing either way. It can appear clean & fresh and can make small rooms feel larger, but it also has the ability to appear cold and sterile (think hospital setting).

Black - For the most part steer clear of black. It tends to make people either feel powerful, or angry, fearful, and sad.

So what colors should I go with?

I personally like to start with a blank canvas and paint the walls white or a light tan. This allows you to add color through decorations and toys! White might not be the go to choice for everyone though, so colors like blue, light yellow, green (just not bright or lime green), or pink can be fun colors that don't overstimulate your little learners.

Below are some examples of fun playrooms that aren't too stimulating.

Things to avoid?

As "fun" as the bright colors are, try to avoid using too many. Below are some examples of playrooms that went a little overboard with the bright colors. While at fist glance, these playrooms may appear exciting and fun, these rooms tend to get children riled up, anxious, and overstimulated - which can lead to difficult behaviors. Remember not to go too dark, too brightly colored, or have too much clutter. Being able to pull in natural window light is a bonus 😊.

Want to learn about Linear Calendars? They are a perfect addition to your at home playroom or classroom! Click here to learn how to get started!