10 principles for the use of colour in healthcare

Colour, colour everywhere.
Have you considered it for your healthcare space?

For decades now the effective use of colour in healthcare environments has been a topic of discussion, debate and research. With all that research, the answers are still not definitive. We cannot (based on good quality evidence) offer a standard colour code guide that defines what to use where despite often hearing statements like ‘use yellow in nurseries’ or ‘use pink in maternity wards’.

However, a wonderful guideline, published by the USA based ‘Centre for Health Design’ took the time to review all the current research on colour in healthcare and has provided a summary of general guidelines for the use of colour in healthcare design.

We have selected the gems from this detailed report and we will bring them to you in a four-part series:

1. A tale of two rooms and 10 principles for the use of colour in healthcare
2. Light, dark, warm and cool: What colours should we use in healthcare?  
3. Red feels different to blue: Some suggestions as to how to use specific colours in healthcare
4. Colour and the elderly: guiding principles

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