Colour me good

Why sleep is easier with the right room colours

Here’s why colour makes a difference for quality of sleep (and where the right choice makes the most difference)

Colour is not just for waking eyes. The choice you make with interior shades can affect the experience for resting ones too. As quality of shut-eye is such an important part of any overnight stay, accommodation providers in New Zealand looking for the best sleep should look beyond the mattress choice and bedding and into the world of interior design and colour therapy.

There is some debate about the very best colours for hotel rooms, and a lot of this focuses on the style and theme of the hotel.

Often, luxuriously styled hotels will use a lot of cream and beige with metallic accents and deep, rich tones on the beds. Aside from creating a sumptuous look, these colours are also easy on the eye and will foster good sleep for guests. Country-style lodges often use timber furniture and green accents against white walls, which are also sleep-inducing tones. In fact, studies have proven that timber interiors reduce stress, as does the colour green (but more on that soon).

Why it matters

While some guests will arrive at a hotel exhausted and ready to crash, others will be buzzing with stimulation from the world outside – one that could be very different to what they’re used to. Overseas visitors may also be operating on a time difference which makes sleep difficult.

Colour can help calm this stimulation and help induce the sense of calm needed for sleep.

How this works comes down to the brain. Ganglion cells in the retina collect information from our surroundings, which is then converted into chemical signals in the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that produces hormones, making us react in different ways.

Melatonin is the hormone responsible for sleep, while cortisol makes us feel alert. Different colours spark different chemical reactions in the brain and therefore cause either or both of these hormones to be produced.

Our reaction to different colours comes back to our basic natural roots. For example, bright yellows will make us feel like we are in the sun, causing cortisol to be produced. However, a soft blue-grey might remind us of dusk, producing melatonin and causing sleepiness.

What colours work best?

The colour blue is most closely associated with relaxation, perhaps because it reminds us of the sky or the sea. Soft, pale blues are the most soothing, while deeper or richer blues are said to stimulate creativity.

Green works in a similar way. Reminiscent of nature, it has a harmonious effect – hence its use in hospitals and in ‘green rooms’, where actors relax between takes or before going on stage. Being in the middle of the visible colour spectrum, green is the easiest colour for our eyes to perceive. This means less strain on the eyes and brain, which is part of the reason for its calming effect.

Some colours should be avoided in large areas if sleep is the aim. While bright reds and purples can create an aura of passion if used in small quantities (such as with a throw rug or an artwork), these tones can inspire aggression. Black should also be kept minimal to avoid a room being too dark and moody. Bright orange and yellow will energise the mind and can make it difficult to sleep.

Where to concentrate your efforts

When it comes to wall colour it may be best to let neutrals do their background work. This will cater both to guest’s tastes and their personal responses to colour. With a soft, neutral base, colour can be used for rugs, pictures or in accent areas like splashbacks or feature walls. This will allow for a calm atmosphere with added pops of colour saving the space from feeling dull.

For furnishings, bolder complementary tones can be used for occasional chairs or darker colours used against timber for dining chairs. Pops of colour in the form of cushions and soft blankets can add personality and warmth to a space without interrupting sleep patterns. When choosing bed coverings it is safest to stay within the blue and green range or to go for a neutral pale grey or taupe tone.

Reducing your palette to a few complementary colours is the best bet to help your guests feel calm at bedtime, while still providing that much needed touch of contemporary style in your hotel rooms.