Choosing Colours That Help Kids Focus and Learn

Children deserve a quality education in every subject, so teachers must focus on small details. For instance, what are the best colours for classroom walls? The tones you pick go a long way to determine how kids focus and learn. Here’s what you need to know about education colour psychology.

Why Colour Psychology Matters in Education

Children’s minds grow daily and absorb everything around them. Therefore, you must tailor the classroom to benefit their learning experience. Despite education changing toward e-learning platforms and technology, education colour psychology still matters. Your learning environment must be conducive to learning instead of distractions or boredom.

Focus is critical for students, so you must determine what they need. Will soothing shades help? Some kids perform better when surrounded by peaceful colours, while others may need stimulation with bright and exciting ones. Finding the right balance could help your classroom in the long run.

What Colours Are the Best for Focus and Learning?

If you teach little ones, you care a lot about the learning environment and its tiny details. The best colours for your classroom walls could vary by student, so knowing their needs is essential. Here are the leading colours to help your students focus and learn.

1. Yellow

If you want to grab attention, use yellow in your classroom. People enjoy yellow for optimism and brightness, so it could motivate students and put smiles on their faces.

An excellent place to put yellow is chairs or accent pieces. If you use it for walls, it could be overwhelming for a learning environment. Yellow could also work for collaborative tables or reading nooks.

2. Blue

Blue is among the best colours for classroom walls because it’s soothing and neutral. A 2024 Journal of Textiles study found it evoked thoughts of relaxation and contentment, so it could be excellent for focusing. If you pick blue, stick with lighter shades because they’re cheerier and reflect more light, brightening the room naturally.

3. Green

Green is ideal if you want refreshing colours that focus on the environment. Consider deep shades to symbolise the environment and encourage students to consider nature as they learn.

One way to incorporate green in the classroom is by introducing plants. Place flowers and shrubbery that can quickly grow in indoor environments. It also works in wallpaper, curtains or tables.

4. Purple

Despite its merits, purple is an underrated colour in education psychology. When you plaster its shades in the classroom, you invoke creativity and imagination. Consider it for creative writing and other language courses.

While purple can benefit your students, knowing where to place it is essential. The walls might not be the best place for purple, so consider chairs or wall accents. This colour symbolises royalty, so use it for king- and queen-related decor in literature or history lessons.

5. White

If you want more neutral tones, consider shades of white. The brightness makes it one of the best colours for classroom walls because it’s not overwhelming. Additionally, you can use white as a canvas for other shades.

White is suitable for focus because it represents cleanliness and optimism. Some students need calmness and tranquillity, so white can do well in a minimalist classroom aimed at focus. Use this colour for the ceilings or accents on curtains and rugs.

6. Brown

Brown is another underrated colour you should consider for your classroom. This slightly darker hue brings comfort and security to your students, helping them focus. Prioritise earth tones because they exude warmth and soothe the mind.

Utilise this colour for the classroom’s furniture pieces. For instance, brown works well with couches, desks and chairs.

Considering Education Colour Psychology in the Classroom

When kids can focus, getting a quality education is more accessible. Thus, it’s essential to consider all the details in your classroom. Choose the shades that fit your aesthetic without overwhelming the students. Besides classroom walls, your design strategy should consider chairs, bulletin boards and storage containers.

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Beth, the Managing Editor and content manager at Body+Mind, is well-respected in the mental health, nutrition and fitness spaces. In her spare time, Beth enjoys cooking and going for runs with her dog.