The Importance of Color in Clinics and Hospitals | Victorville Murphy Construction

When designing and building healthcare facilities, the choice of color is an important factor, according to a 2012 report issued by the Center for Health Design (CHD).

Psychologists have long known that the color of walls, floors, and furnishings can have a significant emotional effect on people in an environment, and this is especially important in places dedicated to health and healing.

Why Color Matters in Healthcare Facilities

The report issued by the CHD is titled “The Application of Color in Healthcare Settings,” and it was authored by Sheila Bosch, Rosalyn Cama, Eve Edelstein, and Jain Malkin.

According to the report, there is disagreement among researchers whether colors can actually speed-up healing, but they also note well-established research showing that the colors present in a surrounding can elicit and strengthen moods and emotions and that this effect is especially important to consider when building or remodeling a healthcare facility.

Research on this topic started in 1994 when a sample of 68 patients was surveyed about which colors they preferred in their hospital rooms. All of them reported that lighter, more natural tones were more soothing than darker colors combinations and that sharp contrasts between colors created a greater feeling of stress for both patients and visitors.

The age of the patient was also found to be a factor when considering color in a hospital or clinic. Bright designs and color combinations are found to work better in pediatric settings, and neutral tones are found to be more helpful in stress reduction in geriatric settings.

A hospital stay, and even a visit to the doctor’s office or clinic is often a stressful event for patients and their caregivers, and staff in these facilities are also affected by the color of their surroundings.

Research shows that for healthcare providers, bright colors are more effective in break rooms where workers take short breaks and then resume work, and soft, dark colors are more effective in helping healthcare workers who need a place for a longer rest period.

When designing or remodeling a healthcare facility, careful consideration of the color scheme can play an important role in comfort and stress reduction for everyone involved.

If you are involved in the design, building, or remodeling of a healthcare setting, Murphy Construction is ready to assist you in making the colors work best for patients and staff.

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