Colour has an important role to play in healthcare design. It has the potential to change the way that people feel and how quickly they heal. Medical design and fit-out company Evoke Projects explores the many aspects of colour and trends in healthcare for 2024.
There are many aspects of a colour, including hue, brightness, saturation, tint, shade and tone. The light also affects colour interpretation with natural daylight, sunlight, shadow, warm light and cool light globes changing a colour even at different times of day.
People interpret colour differently, with one person’s ‘brown’ being another person’s ‘taupe’ and yet another person’s ‘grey’! In addition, age and cultural differences will affect perception. Given the importance of colour in healthcare, colour decisions for a medical design and fit-out can be challenging.
An article in TheArchitect’sDiary.com shows how architects have used a combination of colour, patterns and materials to create patient-centric spaces that reflect the healthcare practice’s brand and objectives. One project shows purple being used in a dental clinic to promote a unique and memorable experience. Another dental clinic has a playful colour theme with a balance of minimalism and functionality. A laser and plastic surgery clinic uses warm colours and materials to boost client confidence. Biophilic design elements are evident throughout.
Link to https://thearchitectsdiary.com/25-fascinating-medical-clinic-interior-design-trends-in-2024/
Colour can affect our mind and body. At verywellmind.com, Kendra Cherry writes about the association between colour and physiological changes, including increased blood pressure, increased metabolism and eyestrain.
Link to https://www.verywellmind.com/color-psychology-2795824
Cherry also refers to the practice of “colourology” as a holistic or alternative treatment.1
• Red is used to stimulate the body and mind and to increase circulation.
• Yellow is thought to stimulate the nerves and purify the body.
• Orange is used to heal the lungs and to increase energy levels.
• Blue is believed to soothe illnesses and treat pain.
• Indigo shades are thought to alleviate skin problems.
Biophilic design colours, such as blue, green and brown, are safe for most medical fit-out designs because the benefits to health and well-being are well documented. In particular, Dulux Trade recommends pastel blues with their Colour of the Year 2024, Sweet Embrace, to help create soothing, restorative spaces where people can feel rested. The photos on the Dulux website show just how different one colour can look in different lights and adjacent to other colours. Would you describe it as beige, pink or grey?
Link to https://www.duluxtradepaintexpert.co.uk/en/tranform-healthcare-spaces-dulux-colour-of-the-year-2024#
Healthcare spaces can feel sterile, so the 2024 Dulux palette is inspired by the tones of woodland and a colourful seascape to feel soothing rather than sterile. Colour recommendations for specific healthcare fit-out needs are:
• Therapy room – vertical split wall of Fresh Foliage, Serene Waters and Sweet Embrace
• Recovery space – coastal blue Ocean Stone with Sweet Embrace
• Soothing waiting room – Neptune Seas, Pea Shoot with Sweet Embrace
Homely colours are also popular with medical fit-outs emulating day spas rather than clinical spaces.
For healthcare practices that want to be on trend, inspiration for colour choices within the medical design may be found from fashion trends. The Pantone® Color Institute reports on 2024 trends from London Fashion Week, describing them as “an eclectic mix of vivid brights with rich nature based tones”.
Link to https://www.pantone.com/articles/fashion-color-trend-report/london-fashion-week-spring-2024#
To discuss colours for your next medical design and fit-out, please call Evoke Projects on 1300 720 692.
