Color isn’t just for art class. It’s a secret weapon for transforming classrooms into vibrant, engaging, and inspiring spaces where students love to learn. Whether it’s a bold splash of orange to energize, a soothing blue to calm, or a playful yellow to spark creativity, the right colors can set the tone for every lesson.
But why stop at the classroom? From hallways to libraries to cafeterias, color can brighten every corner of your school and boost student mood and focus along the way. In this guide, explore creative ways to bring color to life in your learning spaces, discover the benefits of different hues, and find inspiration for maximizing color far beyond the traditional four walls of a classroom. Let’s add some personality to your school, one shade at a time.
And whatever hues best complement your learning space, rest assured that School Outfitters has all the matching chairs, rugs, tables, and furnishings you need.
Color impacts students emotionally, mentally, and physically
The role of color in the classroom can’t be overstated. A large body of research confirms that color impacts our emotions, our minds, and even our bodies.
One such study concluded that “colors affect the behavior, performance, and mood” of students. Researchers in this study found that white, green, and blue had a positive impact on students and encouraged feelings of hope and curiosity. The study also found that black and gray increased feelings of worry and fear.
Classroom idea: Try incorporating white, green, and blue in your students’ chairs and desks. Consider colorful rugs and play mats to add splashes of color to a learning space.
Another study found that color influences students’ attention levels. Researchers concluded that red, orange, and yellow increase attention spans and encourage active participation in classroom activities.
Classroom idea: Using these colors on whiteboards and other presentation tools can help engage students and grab their attention.
According to WebMD, color affects us physically. Our internal clock, energy levels, and even hormones are affected by the colors we see.
The reason color plays an outsized role in our lives, including within classrooms, dates back to our prehistoric ancestors. As we evolved, our sense of sight, more so than other senses, was instrumental in our survival. For that reason, at least half of our cognitive processing is visual. Hence, the visual cues in your room design are almost as important as the material you’re teaching.
For example, when colors create positive emotions, such as green, students judge material to be less difficult, and they feel more comfortable, motivated, and satisfied. Some colors used strategically, such as red, can make students feel excited and grab their attention. However, using too much of a certain color or combining colors incorrectly can have negative consequences on students.
Learn how to use color in the classroom
Distilling what we know about the effects of color on learning and applying it when choosing classroom furniture can seem daunting. In this segment, we’ll cover strategies you can use to maximize the positive impacts of color in the classroom for improved student learning.
Consider age when using color in the classroom
It should come as no surprise that color processing develops as children age. Infants begin to see all three primary colors (red, yellow, and blue) when they’re around three months old. Young children still show a preference for these bright colors when they enter school.
Classroom idea: Try brightly colored rugs as one way to incorporate these vibrant hues in your preschool room design.
Classroom idea: Brightly colored wall decals or posters featuring fun shapes or animals can create an exciting visual space while supporting early learners’ color recognition.
As children grow, their color preferences tend to go from these warmer shades to cooler tones, such as green and blue. Adjust your classroom color palette accordingly. For example, when children reach elementary school, they favor pastel colors. These muted tones are still warm, but less vibrant than primary colors.
Classroom idea: Consider a nature-inspired theme in your classroom with classroom furniture that inspires water, forest, or outdoor vibes.
Classroom idea: Incorporate pastel-colored classroom accessories like pencil holders, bulletin boards, and curtains to complement the calming effect of soft hues.
As students reach middle school, they show a stronger preference for green and blue. Their preference for cooler colors becomes more pronounced as they reach high school, where they favor navy, dark green, violet, and burgundy.
Classroom idea: Bring sophistication to your middle and high school spaces with ergonomic soft seating, available in all the teen-loving hues.
Classroom idea: Introduce sleek, modern storage units or desk organizers in darker, cooler tones to match the more mature aesthetic students prefer as they enter middle and high school.
Use colors to inspire positive emotions and increase attention
Now that you have an age-appropriate color palette for your classroom, you can arrange colors strategically to maximize color’s role in learning.
For example, white and colors on the blue-green spectrum can help students feel more relaxed. Use these colors on the walls and key pieces of school furniture to create an overall calming environment.
Colors on the red spectrum stimulate brain activity and increase attention. However, too much red can increase anxiety and anger. So, use red hues sparingly and strategically to redirect focus toward key areas of learning.
Orange and yellow are associated with sociability and happiness. Using these colors in your classroom can increase a sense of classroom community and encourage active involvement in classroom discussions. These colors are great for creating collaborative learning spaces and for outdoor activities.
Accommodate neurodivergent students with your use of color
Neurodivergent children experience color differently than other students. One study attempted to uncover how color preferences for students with special needs differed from their peers.
Researchers concluded that students with special needs preferred green the most. The primary color they favored most was red, followed by blue. Overall, children on the autism spectrum and those with intellectual disabilities preferred red. Children with developmental and learning disabilities preferred blue.
Generally speaking, neurodivergent children may experience color more intensely, and educators can plan their classroom décor according to their students’ unique needs.
Incorporate color diversity in all your school’s spaces
Bring the benefits of color to other spaces throughout your schools and districts. Color diversity can have just as much of a positive impact elsewhere as it can in the classroom. Color diversity can have just as much of a positive impact elsewhere as it can in the classroom. Whether in hallways, libraries, or cafeterias, the strategic use of color creates spaces where students feel inspired to thrive and connect. Discover how to maximize color wherever your students gather, meet, and learn, turning every corner into an inviting and functional part of the school.
Colorful library spaces
Modern school libraries are more interactive and multifunctional than ever. It’s no longer a place for silent study and reading. For example, your library centers might include media spaces, testing corners, dedicated reading nooks, and collaborative workspaces. Bright yellows and oranges can energize collaboration areas, while soft blues and greens create peaceful zones for reading or solo study. Adding color-coded zones also helps students easily identify areas dedicated to specific purposes, improving functionality. Use colors in your library designs and with your library furnishings to create welcoming spaces for however your students use the library.
Common areas come to life with color
Say goodbye to bland off-whites and tired neutrals in your school’s common areas and offer vibrant furnishings, rugs, and soft seating to invigorate these social spaces. Introduce splashes of color, including yellow, blue, and orange, to infuse energy into common areas. Bold red and orange seating options encourage energy and social interaction, while green accents can provide a sense of balance and relaxation. Even small pops of color in wall art, throw pillows, or rugs can make these spaces more appealing and engaging for students. A visually dynamic common area fosters a sense of community and serves as an inviting space for collaboration or downtime.
Calming hues in school offices
Maximize the color usage in your school offices with blues, light grays, and subtle greens to evoke calming responses to these interactive spaces. Welcome students and families with warm hues or invite calming focus with cool color patterns. Deep navy chairs or desks paired with soft gray walls create a sophisticated and focused environment for meetings. Pale greens or soft yellows can make offices feel more approachable and welcoming for students. Whatever colors you choose for your school offices, meeting rooms, and conference spaces, know that School Outfitters has just the furnishings to match and enhance your vision.
Explore exciting cafeteria colors
Cafeterias don’t have to feel institutional or impersonal. Incorporate bright and cheerful colors like orange and red to stimulate appetite and create a lively environment where students can recharge. Soft blues or greens in quieter sections can offer a more relaxed setting for students who prefer a calm lunch experience. Colorful chairs and tables paired with fun wall murals or decals transform school cafeterias into inviting spaces students enjoy. These thoughtful touches make the cafeteria more than just a dining area—it becomes a social hub that boosts school spirit and student connection.
Colorful furniture to complement your school’s colors
If you’re not sure which colors to introduce into your school’s common areas, cafeterias, lounges, or office spaces, you can’t go wrong with palettes that complement your mascot and school colors. Use vibrant furniture in school-themed colors to create a unified, pride-filled look that resonates with students and staff alike. Accent colors like silver or white can balance out bold school colors for a polished and modern aesthetic. From custom seating options to color-matching rugs, thoughtful furniture choices make it easy to tie together your school’s identity.
FAQs about colors in today’s classrooms
How does color impact student learning in the classroom today?
Color significantly influences student engagement, behavior, and information retention. As we previously discussed, warm colors like red and yellow can stimulate and energize, which enhances active participation. Cooler colors, such as light blue and green promote calmness and concentration which aid in focused tasks.
Which colors are actually best to create a calming classroom environment?
Soft blues, periwinkles, greens, and neutral tones are ideal for fostering a tranquil classroom atmosphere. These hues help reduce stress and anxiety. They can also help you to create a serene space conducive to learning.
Can color coding enhance classroom management?
Yes, when teachers implement color coding, they can improve organization and behavior management. Assign specific colors to groups, tasks, or areas to help your students easily navigate the classroom, understand expectations, and stay organized.
Create a positive learning space with School Outfitters
Use color thoughtfully throughout your classroom and other school spaces to create an engaging, positive, and welcoming atmosphere for the upcoming school year. Consider how different color combinations can influence your students’ mood, focus, and energy levels, helping to foster a learning environment that supports both student creativity and concentration. Beyond the classroom, think about how colors can transform common areas, hallways, and even libraries into spaces that reflect your school’s culture while energizing and motivating students in every corner of your school. Then, shop School Outfitters for all of your room design needs.
Have questions? We’re here to help! Talk to our furniture experts about ways you can maximize color in the classroom. You can also contact us today to get free room designs or get a free quote. Let’s bring Experience Positive to your school with innovative furniture and impactful learning products of all colors!
