When I was getting ready for my first baby, I did extensive research to find out what would be the best color scheme for my baby’s nursery. What I found out helped me to convince my husband not to start visiting home depot looking for paint and accessories for our baby’s nursery right at the beginning.
What are the best colors for a baby nursery? This will eventually take center stage when planning a baby’s own haven. While many parents fantasize riotous colors of the rainbow in various shades, experts recommend not to go all out color-crazy for the first few months. In fact, babies from 0 to 3 months can only see shades of white, black and gray. It’s better to stick to a monochromatic color scheme and slowly add other colors as the baby grows. Do not use yellow paint in the baby’s nursery as it activates the anxiety center in the brain and makes a baby cry.
However, there are also other factors that parents usually take into consideration when choosing colors for a baby nursery are:
- Personal color preferences
- Gender of the baby
- Room orientation and light source
- Fixed and furnished elements
We all have personal favorites and the so-called “norm” in choosing baby room color vis-a-vis gender orientation (pastels and pinks for girls, blues for boys). However, placement of a room in accordance to exposure with natural light sources must also be considered. If you wish to use current furniture and fixtures, these must also be considered when picking a nursery’s colors. I found that a monochromatic color scheme will be best for the first three (3) months of my baby’s life. Babies at this time can only see shades of white, black and gray. You can simply add pops of colors as your child grows to make the room visually stimulating.
Baby Room Colors and Cognitive Development
Yes. Visual stimulation is an important aspect of a child’s cognitive development. In fact, more than 80 percent of sensory connection starts with the eyes. Visual development is also an excellent aspect that points out how early experiences tend to shape a child’s developing brain.
Early stages of a child’s growth call for the black-white-gray monochromatic scheme to stimulate brain growth as well as visual development. You can do so with Dalmatian spots and polka dots, wall decals, bold B&W stripes, and so on. After 3 months, more vivid colors can be added to your nursery via cushions, curtains, artwork, furniture, toys, and the likes.
Is yellow bad for babies?
Yellow has always been associated with a color of warmth, light and happiness. So does with energy, optimism, and imagination. Painting a nursery room’s wall with yellow, however, is NOT a good idea. According to Carlton Wagner, director of Wagner Institute for Color Research, in Santa Barbara, it is known to induce crying in infants and temper tantrums in growing children. Experts reveal that oversaturation of the color yellow activates the brain’s anxiety center. You can add light-tinged yellow as an accent color though as a child grows to add more liveliness to a room.
What colors help babies sleep or What Are The Best Colors For A Baby Nursery?
Small babies sleep a LOT regardless of the color scheme in a nursery. That’s a fact. As a child grows, however, the level of awareness to his or her surroundings increases. To transform a nursery into a sleep sanctuary, one can choose calming colors like:
- Soft shades of blue
- Muted greens
- Pale purples and lavender
- Pastel colors
- Easy neutrals
- Soft whites
- Glacial grays
Another aspect to consider is the color of lighting in your child’s nursery. As opposed to blue or green lights, go for subdued red-based light as this doesn’t inhibit melatonin production.
When should a baby’s room be painted?
Try to paint a nursery room at least 2 months before the baby’s scheduled arrival. This will help eliminate fumes and other unhealthy odors. Do choose paints with zero VOCs. There are also quick-drying odorless antibacterial paints nowadays that can aid in the process. Painting at this time is also good exercise as you prepare for childbirth.
Best Nursery Colors For Baby Development
Visual development and cognitive development go hand in hand in mapping a brain’s architectural foundation. This makes your choice of colors to incorporate in a nursery essential in a child’s mental and psychological growth.
The red and black combo can help enhance baby’s Mathematical prowess but too much red can cause agitation. Orange and yellow are fun and comfortable colors, but can be overwhelming as well. Blue, green, pastels, purple, lavender, white, gray, brown, and Earth tones are great choices as a base color in a baby’s room.
Calming and soothing, these colors enhance focus and concentration leading to heightened cognitive development as the baby grows.
There is an endless sea of color choices out there while deciding on what are the best colors for a baby nursery! Simply start with a monochromatic scheme for a baby’s infancy and slowly add pops of colors as he or she grows. Add colorful yet functional room accessories at a later stage to encourage visual stimulation, learning and play, leading to more improved mental and psychological development.
