Calming Colors For Your House To Reduce Anxiety

Stress is part and parcel of being an adult.

Maybe you are a pro at handling that stress. Or perhaps it settles in and turns into anxiety and worry.

Either way there are small and incremental changes you can make to reduce the impact of anxiety.

One way to make a small adjustment is to evaluate the colors around you and surround yourself with calming colors.

Colors and Mood

Science has shown again and again that colors impact our mood. (source)

Let’s walk through an example.

Close your eyes….

Imagine yourself sitting in a room. In that room is the person you love most.

You are going to spend a relaxing afternoon with that person doing whatever it is you enjoy doing. Maybe you’re just talking or playing a game.

Now, what color are the walls of that room?

If the science of colors is any indicator, you most likely chose a cool color (variations of blue) or something in the pink, red, purple spectrum.

It is less likely that the room was in the black, red, or orange spectrum.

Was I right?

Feelings of love, calmness, and relaxing are associated with certain colors without our brain conciously making that connection.

Similarly, feeling active, stressed, happiness, sadness, etc are also encouraged by certain colors.

How To Incorporate Colors

Now, I’m not saying to go out and buy all the supplies to paint your whole house.

Or even paint a whole room.

You can be much more conservative in your approach and still gain the benefit of calming or energizing colors.

Remember how nice it is to simply have a vase of flowers on the table?

The same can be said for colors.

A nice throw pillow. Or some cool colors in wall art.

No matter what you choose, you will likely experience some benefit from incorporating the right colors into your life.

This page contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read the full disclosure here.

What Colors Should You Choose

So, assuming you are looking to spruce up your happiness and dampen your stress, what colors should you be looking for?

The following colors are excellent options for anyone who may be suffering with anxiety, depression, or overwhelm.

White – Hope, Simplicity, Light

White is an easy color to start with because it is essentially a positive neutral. It also allows people to ‘ease into’ colors by chosing one that is not likely to clash or be offensively obvious.

If you chose white, try to find items that are not going to be touched a lot. Nothing is worse than watching the brilliance of white slowly fade into dirtiness because it is being handled often.

Green – Balance, Good Luck, Peace

If you’re looking for balance in your life, look for green. It is very soothing and also very versatile…. you can use it in every room of your house.

The freshness of growth and spring is reflected in green and is perfect if you’re looking for a new start.

Live plants are also a fun and interactive way to work green into your life.

Blue – Peace, Clam, Cool

You really can’t go wrong with blue in decorating for calmness. It is a common color used in spas and therapists offices. It can create the feeling of serene relaxation.

As far as decorating goes, there are so many variations of blue that you can work it into almost any decor or theme.

Added bonus for those in hot climates, blue is a cooling color so you might be able to ‘trick’ your brain into feeling cooler by using blue in your home.

Light Pink – Health, Love, Calm

Pink is another color that can encourage calmness. In reality, lighter pinks act as an opposite to red’s angry feel by decreasing anxiety or aggression.

They also introduce a sense of femininity, kindness, and softness. If you’re feeling overworked and underappreciated as a woman, find yourself some light pink – stat!

You may want to steer clear of the darker pinks as they can be aggressive and childish.

Yellow – Sunlight, Confidence, Positivity

If you’re looking for a color that brings light into your world, chose yellow. Especially if you find yourself stuck inside a lot and are needing to bring the warmth of sun into your house.

The positive and forward thinking feelings brought on by yellow are great for a new start or an extra boost of ‘you can do it’.

Yellow can fit in any house, age, or demographic and is sure to make you happy every time you see it. Think sunflowers and smiles!

Brown – Calm, Nature, Security

Brown, and its variations of tan, beige, etc are great if you’re looking to go ‘back to basics’. Maybe your life is hectic. Or you go from house to car to office and back.

If that describes you, chose brown decorations for your home. It doesn’t have to look dirty or plain. It can be retro, rustic, or rich! Brown is surprisingly versatile!

Grey – Neutrality, Wisdom, Balance

Grey interior has been incredibly popular in the last few years. And it’s not just because it is an easy color to decorate with. If you are constantly battling life and need some Zen, grey is the way to go.

Both dark and light grey are going to achieve your goal. Added bonus, it can look incredibly sophisticated or homey and clean.

Are There Colors To Avoid For Stress

The simple answer is, yes. If you’re looking for calmness, balance, and tranquility, avoid reds and oranges.

That’s not to say they are bad colors to decorate. They can be power colors. They are warm and can be happy.

If you do chose to decorate with these colors, keep it minimal or in certain rooms. Kitchens, for example, are a good place to put red. You’re usually active and busy in a kitchen and won’t likely be ‘relaxing’.

Purple is another color that may overwhelm those with stress or anxiety. It is a somewhat gaudy color used for showiness or luxury. Again, it’s not all bad. Small quantities in home offices will work as it is a color of wisdom.

Bringing It All Together

You don’t have to make major changes to your life and home to incorporate colors for mental health.

As a matter of fact, I would recommend starting small and working your way up. No need to cause more anxiety in the pursuit of less anxiety!

Chose the correct spot in your house (rooms, living rooms, dens, offices, etc) and you may find that these colors help you keep your calm and find a bit of peace.

Don’t forget it. Pin it!

Related Posts

• Making Life A Little Easier – Is A Roomba Vacuum Worth The Money
• Use Google to Keep A Spotless House When You’re Exhausted
• Where To Apply Essential Oils For Migraines – 15 Effective Spots