The Top Color Schemes for a School Classroom

Color is important in many ways---it can influence our moods enough that prisons and even sports locker rooms have been experimentally painted pink to reduce aggression among inmates or players. Because color has such potential to calm or excite us, careful consideration must be given to choosing the best colors for school classrooms.

Color for Quiet Study

Soft, muted colors in a cool palette are generally best for areas where quiet study is the aim. Libraries, study halls and classrooms where emphasis is on study rather than interaction benefit from soft whites mixed with sage green or pale sky blue, grays or a soft blue violet. These areas need not be boring though---use colorful graphics, a bright border or a contrasting trim to give accent to a neutral or pale palette. A narrow band of bright yellow around a room painted the palest lavender above and a medium cool gray below is a good combination.

Color for Physical Exercise

Red is the color of excitement and a good color for use in gym classes and recreation areas. However, it is best to use it in moderation, as an accent color, because it also tends to promote aggression. Use other warm, stimulating colors like orange or yellow---that are cheerful without leading to aggression as accents in school cafeterias or auditoriums. To prevent overstimulation in any of these areas, try an overall cream with a muted red, such as burgundy, or accent with a bright citrus orange and yellow pattern on the top third of a soft white or light green wall.

Color for Regular Classrooms

It can be tricky getting the right combination of colors to alternately stimulate and calm during the teaching and study sequences of a typical school day. One idea suggested by School Planning & Management is to use a bright energetic color on one wall, behind the teacher, and a neutral or quiet color on the other three walls. Children will be stimulated as they look toward the instructor, but the restful color on other walls will reduce eyestrain and promote study. A good combination would be a medium blue or green front wall with pale yellow, blue or green side walls and charcoal accent; or try a deep red violet on the front wall with light gray side walls and bright white or charcoal for accents and trim.

Colors for Children of Different Ages

Younger children seem to gravitate toward bright primary colors---red, blue and yellow, but these can be too energetic at times. A good compromise is to paint the walls a soft white, then create an artistic border from approximately one third of the way up from the floor (and no more than 24 inches high) with designs incorporating bright red, yellow and blue. It is important not to use bright white, however, as it has a stimulating effect similar to bright colors. Older children prefer popular colors or muted shades. Team colors are good choices if not too bright (or used sparingly against pale gray or soft white).

School Hallways

These rooms are for short-time usage between classes. Hallways are one area where a little bit of energetic color is a boon---to move students quickly from class to class and prevent undue loitering. Use bright colors for borders and graphics---especially school colors--here. Keep backgrounds neutral to reduce destructive behavior.

References

• Color Matters: Drunk Tank Pink
• School Planning & Management Color in Education

Resources

• Colors for Kids
• USA Today: Pink--a Punishing Color
• Color Combos: the Color Pink