What would be your choice of colour for a counselling room?

[Lamey]

I'm decorating my new therapy room which I shall see my counselling clients in. After decades of working in dull plain white characterless shared offices, I'm thinking of making it really cosy. What colours appeal to you?

Justaweeones suggestions are perfect

Few more

*functional🤦‍♀️

Green is very calming and restorative and pink is very pacifying. That is why green is a popular colour for hospitals. Pink has been used to decorate prison cells and specialist plus historic facilities for its pacifying properties. Redkakes people hungry. Yellow makes people feel aggressive so don’t use yellow whatever you choose. I would go fora really dark green myself. I look he dark colours, they seem warm and cosy.

Green with plants and natural textures definitely.

A washed out Apricot? I love yellow but it can be a bit bright. Blue and green can be a bit cold.

Green or lilac

Duck egg blue with teal accents, or terracotta. Something that doesn't scream "clinic".

there's been some research published on colour and therapy, so you might wants to look at that and decorate according to what your type of therapy is

pink is suggested for Police cells as it calms the detainees

green is relaxing, but too much may be too relaxing and prevent learning and problem solving

yellow makes the mind more open and receptive to intellectual challenge

orange stimulates appetite - could be a problem if working with eating disorders

maybe decorate with a very neutral base and use colour filters on lights to create an environment suited to the person's need and where they are in their therapy

avoid any reflective surfaces- no-one wants to see themselves 'ugly cry',

and if they catch a glimpse of themselves when they enter the room, they might live up to the outward image, that they project to others, instead of opening up and exploring whatever has brought them to your service

use soft textures- these are soothing both to the eye and touch, and help the person feel safe in your space

oops bit of a cross post with racecardriver

Duck egg blue.

The second one from 'justaweeone'. Professional, peaceful.

I've thought about this a lot, partly because I've been in a few therapy rooms over the years and partly because I've inherited a collection of about 30 paintings, all very similar in style but with huge colour variations, that were (I think) originally painted as a way of coping with trauma.

I -- hate pastels and institutional green. Please don't. Not lavender, soft blue, pale pink, primrose yellow or anything like that. I'd rather black, white and red over those.

Think about the relationship between the colour of the walls and what is on the walls.

I second texture, though, That is a good insight.

I would go for pale blue or light abricot or yellow. Not a fan of green or grey or dark colours.

Is there not a specific colour or hue for counselling? Red (used a lot in dining rooms) apparently stimulates conversation.

Whatever colours will help you work effectively. As this thread shows, there’s no universally appreciated colour scheme, hence the years of neutrals! You’re the one who will be in there all the time and needs to be ‘ok’.

I say that after a lot of years in therapy rooms!

Light and bright neutrals, biscuit, taupe, coffee colours. Not grey.

Mine was just cream and every season I changed the colour of the cushions, prints and throws on my very comfie armchairs. I also reflected the seasons with tactile materials, so velvets in warm winter colours etc.
My aim was to bring the best colours from that season into the room.
Everyone said it was peaceful and felt safe.
I've moved now but will probably do the same again as it worked well for me.

If it were mine I would probably stick to rich neutrals, like biscuit. Easy on the eye, not institution-like, and additional colour can be introduced through vases/lamps/cushions.

Big plants and pictures reflecting nature, like trees, waterfalls, water - all more likely to be soothing without provoking negative emotions, maybe.

Someone above mentioned sensory needs & texture. Perhaps have several cushions in toning colours with different fabrics & textures. A velvet one, a fluffy one, something in a rougher fabric, one with fringes etc. For a person with sensory needs, being able to touch something with a texture they like can be very soothing.

My 1st thought was Cream,then i thought peach,i also like pale yellows.

Dark red. Womb-like.

Sage green and grey

Something like Blush, very gentle, and warm. .personally I find most blues and greens too chilly. A pale sunshine yellow would be a good option.

Sandy yellow with lots of plants.