The wall color that most reduces anxiety at home: what neuroscience says (not white)

Choosing the right wall color can seem like a minor decision, but according to neuroscience and psychology, it has a significant impact on our nervous system. From heart rate to sleep quality, the colors surrounding us influence our mood and overall well-being. According to architect Virginia Domínguez, several tones can help regulate anxiety levels within the home. However, the specific part of the color spectrum that should be focused on includes bluish greens with low saturation and high lightness or light neutral greens. Alba Pinturas, a company under the AkzoNobel group, highlights that cool tones, based on scientific and psychological principles, activate different parameters compared to warm tones. For example, they can lower heart rate, blood pressure, and secretion of stress hormones. These tones are associated with stable natural elements such as water and vegetation, creating a sense of security and calm. They do not cause glare or light bounce like pure white and can reduce eye fatigue and sensory overstimulation. When choosing wall colors for a home, it's important to consider the intended use and activity of each space. Marianela Brovelli, an architect and interior designer, agrees that colors that reduce anxiety are those found in nature, the external environment, and the surrounding context. She emphasizes that good health requires outdoor life, plants, animals, textures, rich scents, and flavors. This palette can guide the design of the entire space. The feeling of greater comfort appears when walls are defined with tones related to natural light: if there are small windows, a pastel, warm, and bright palette is likely to be chosen. When selecting wall colors for your home, it’s essential to think about the emotions you want each space to evoke. According to Sherwin Williams, dry greens and olive tones harmonize well with blacks and woods. Salmon orange is elegant and evokes a kind of twilight. Toasted tones guarantee warmth. These are colors for relaxation, rest, and creativity. It indicates that kitchens with toasted and orange furniture are ideal for fostering creativity and joy. In contrast, bedrooms and living rooms in green tones provide tranquility and aid in restoring sleep. Bedrooms and living rooms in green tones provide tranquility and restore sleep. According to Debitreloar.com, it is highly advisable to design starting from a base palette, which could be toasted, for example, and unify the entire home, then incorporating style and details according to the need of each area. Overstimulating the eyes should be avoided, just as important as choosing a color that helps calm anxiety and provides refuge and rest. Mental Deceleration Regarding the environments where these tones should be used, Domínguez suggests bedrooms or rest areas, as they facilitate better transition and improve sleep latency. They are also suitable for home workspaces or offices: the blue component promotes sustained concentration while green reduces tension. Other areas include living rooms, common spaces, and meeting areas because these tones act as emotional filters after a tense workday. In bathrooms, they enhance the spa effect, making them ideal for relaxation. She warns that these tones are not recommended for areas where stimulating appetite and energy is the goal, with warm tones being more appropriate for kitchens and dining rooms. Bluish greens with low saturation stimulate a mental deceleration in people. These colors are particularly effective in reducing anxiety and promoting a sense of calm and stability. Their association with natural elements contributes to a soothing atmosphere, making them ideal choices for spaces designed to encourage relaxation and mental well-being.