Use nature-inspired colors to create a soothing healthcare space
Studies have shown that patients exposed to nature scenes have less anxiety, fewer pain medication requests and a quicker post-operative recovery. Even three-to-five minutes of time in nature or viewing nature-themed events can ease unpleasant emotions[1] .
Lush colors, inspired by the tones of forests and woodlands, could help increase a sense of connection with nature. Subtle and soothing, they can make sterile and impersonal healthcare spaces feel more approachable, reducing stress for patients, visitors and staff.
These four color schemes, using Dulux Professional Colour of the Year 2023, Wild WonderTM, and the Lush palette can help bring value to healthcare buildings by creating a comfortable and restorative atmosphere.
Inspired by nature, Lush colors can help to make a sterile and impersonal healthcare space feel familiar and soothing. Here, walls painted in soft greens, with windows highlighted in Wild WonderTM, bring a softness and personality to a space that can often feel stark and clinical.
The combination of shades in the Lush palette, together with Wild WonderTM, can create a calm waiting area that helps both visitors and staff feel anchored and comfortable. Here, a split wall effect enhances the approachable feel of the space and adds visual interest.
The linear feel of this contemporary exterior is softened by the color scheme – a subtle green combined with Dulux Professional Colour of the Year 2023, Wild WonderTM. Inspired by nature, Lush colors also fit perfectly with the surrounding greenery, helping the building feel part of the landscape.
Nature-inspired colors can help heighten the restorative benefits of a healthcare space. This exterior passageway, painted in a combination of Lush colors and Wild WonderTM, blends perfectly with the surrounding landscape.