Energize or Calm? How to use color in your sensory room (2024)

FAQs

Energize or Calm? How to use color in your sensory room? ›

Choose your colors based on emotional or personal preference or to control responses to an environment. Calming colors: black, white, purple, blue, green. Stimulating colors: brown, yellow, orange, and red.

Cool colors include blue, purple, and green. These colors calm children, soothing those with sensory disorders. Pale pink is a pleasing color for those with autism. Likewise, pale yellow provides a touch of energy without being too invasive.

Softer tones of greens and blues banish the feeling of chaos and often soothe people who have various sensory conditions, including autism. Introducing greens and blues and reducing over-stimulation can help autistic users in a sensory room truly digest and process the environment.

Red = high energy, can trigger tension and anger, associated with pain, can cause increase in heart rate, blood pressure, appetite. Yellow = Sensory overload, overstimulating, intensity. White = Increased anxiety levels due to lack of comfort, negative association with hospitals and medical trauma.

Supervision of an adult is always required in a sensory space and when using equipment. Use the room at a predictable time which is scheduled into the student's day. Do not use the space as a reward or for managing behaviour. Give students choice in the sensory space.

White can be used to lighten your sensory room and encourage quiet. Blue: All shades of blue are soothing. It connects us to holistic thoughts. Blue mats are great for using on floors as they are easy to clean and encourage kids to come in and play.

Cool and calming colors like blue and green are known to have a soothing effect on the mind and body, reducing feelings of stress and anxiety. Creating a peaceful environment with these colors can help create a sense of tranquility and calm.

Choose a peaceful color.

To reduce anxiety, go with warm earth tones. Blue hues are known for slowing down the heart rate, reducing respiratory rhythm, and encouraging calm and focus.

Colors like red and orange increase anxiety and stress, sometimes even fear. Red and orange are associated with an emergency that can elicit images of emergency vehicles with their lights and sirens on.

Bright, warm colors (reds, oranges, yellows) stimulate energy and happiness while cool, subdued colors (blues, greens, purples) are soothing and calming. Bright, warm colors are best in rooms for entertaining like dining rooms or kitchens, while cool colors work best in relaxing spaces like bedrooms or even bathrooms.

Can colors cause sensory issues? ›

Intense colors such as red, yellow, or orange may be too bright for sensitive individuals. Work with pastels, earth tones, and cool colors to minimize sensory issues.

Sensory overload can happen to anyone, but it is more common in autistic people and people with ADHD, PTSD, and certain other conditions.

A person having a shutdown might: Find it difficult to speak or might not talk at all. Want to hide away somewhere dark and alone or curl up in bed. Feel like they suddenly have no energy at all and want to sleep or find it difficult to move.

Good sensory rooms are well structured so that the amount and intensity of a sensory experience can be easily controlled and monitored. This is essential when using a sensory room to manage overstimulation and stress or to provide sensory integration therapy to individuals with sensory processing challenges.

Windows are not essential and often end up being covered with blinds or film adding to costs. If daylight and natural ventilation is required consider an appropriate size window and suitable position – we can advise on this. their function must not be hindered in the event of an emergency occurring.

Blue – A highly peaceful color, blue can be especially helpful for stress management because it can encourage a powerful sense of calm. Purple – In many cultures, shades of violet represent strength, wisdom and peace. Purple can invoke a tranquil feeling that helps reduce stress.