Research studies are showing us the way to more effective hospital environmental designs for patients, visitors and staff. There is a burgeoning field of study and practical application that combines color, artwork, building design, landscape, music and entertainment to promote healing environments.

As an artist specializing in creating murals and wall decorations for children's hospitals, I am particularly interested in the visual aspects of this field. Here is what Iíve learned from research and from my own practical experience.

Part One: Color for Hospital Interiors

Warm colors vs. cool colors

Colors have been shown to have specific, nearly universal effects on people's sense of well-being. Exposure to warm colors (reds, oranges, yellows, browns) stimulates the nervous system, while exposure to cool colors (blues, greens, teals) slows the system down. Among other effects, people
in a warm colored room will feel warmer than people in a cool colored room, both at the same temperature. Warm colors also have an arousing effect while cool colors have a calming effect. [1]

Room Uses, Patient Needs and Climate

Warmer hues have been shown to be optimal for most patient rooms and for pediatrics units. Cooler colors are optimal for waiting rooms and maternity units. For examination and treatment rooms the choice of colors in not so simple (more on this later). [1] [2]

Patients have different responses to color. Burn victims respond better to colors that are cooler than the norm. Long-term patients and chronic pain suffering patients also do better in cooler color environments. [1] [2] Elderly patients have been shown to prefer warmer color schemes than those found optimal for most other patients.