A Case Of The Blues: Navy Blue Dubbed The World’s Most Relaxing Color
Pantone’s “Living Coral” may have been named Color of the Year, but navy blue is by far the most relaxing color according to a recent study by the University of Sussex. While no particular shade or specific Pantone of navy blue has been identified, it’s clear that the subdued shade causes people to relax like no other color.
The study, conducted by papermakers G.F. Smith, included more than 26,000 participants. The experiment measured the participant’s heartrates and asked them about how they felt when exposed to each color. The study included people from over 100 countries around the world. Researchers concluded that shades of navy blue were the most tranquil.
Why Navy Blue?
In 1893 at the Chicago World’s Fair, one of the first color surveys found that most people preferred blue. Researchers have a few reasons why they believe this color is so popular.
The meaning that people associate with a particular color plays a big role; bright, warm colors are associated with light, daytime, and activity, while darker colors are associated with night, the starry sky, and relaxing landscapes like mountains and oceans. G.F. Smith’s “Theories of Colour Preference” explain that there are four reasons why we prefer some colors over others. The way the brain processes certain colors and the objects associated with a particular color are thought to play a role in color preference.
How to Incorporate Navy Blue into Your Life
Since no specific shade of navy blue was dubbed as the ultimate relaxing color, it’s up to you to decide which variation of the color to use. If super dark tones just don’t work with your tastes, you can opt for lighter hues of blue or use dark blue as an accent color. Violet and teal are beautiful colors; they can be used as accents, or you can color an entire room with your favorite shade.
Teal is a combination of green and blue; it makes a statement while keeping the relaxing attributes of navy blue. Violet carries more energy than navy, but it is still subdued enough to invoke feelings of peace. If you plan to stick to navy blue, you will still need to decide which Pantone of the color you will use. This will ensure that you are using the same shade consistently around your home. Once you have decided on a color, you can start figuring out how you will implement it in your home.
Navy Blue in the Bedroom
Of all the places in your home, the bedroom should be the most relaxing. If you dream of turning your bedroom into a sacred oasis of rest and relaxation, adding the world’s most relaxing color into your design plan is a good place to start.
It’s probably not a great idea to paint all your bedroom walls navy blue. This can make your room appear smaller, especially if it’s not a large room to begin with. Completely drenching your bedroom in a dark color may have the opposite effect of relaxation; you aren’t going to feel relaxed in a space that feels claustrophobic.
When it comes to navy blue, a little goes a long way. You can paint an accent wall, replace your bedding with a blue set, hang artwork containing the color that you love, or buy pillows and curtains in your favorite shade. Adding these pops of the relaxing color will allow you to reap the benefits without making the room appear dark and tiny.
When incorporating navy blue into your bedroom, make sure that you can see the color from your bed. By being able to see the color when you fall asleep, and when you first wake up, you will feel relaxed and happier. The best place to use it is your pillowcase, or you can position a mirror so that you can see something blue from your bed.
Navy Blue in the Kitchen
If you love to cook, you probably spend a lot of time in your kitchen. The kitchen offers plenty of places to incorporate navy blue; appliances, cabinets, and furniture sets can all be found in this tranquil hue. It’s no secret that cooking is one of the best ways to relieve stress and practice mindfulness. Why not incorporate the world’s most relaxing color into your kitchen for serene culinary bliss?
If you don’t want to repaint your cabinets or buy new appliances, you can add the color to your kitchen with navy blue dishes, utensils, placemats, and vases. Fresh cut flowers in this color allow you to experience its calming effects and bring the beauty of nature into your space. If you have artwork in your kitchen, you can add blue framing to incorporate the color easily.
Navy Blue in Your Common Spaces
For the living spaces in your house, there are many inexpensive ways you can incorporate navy blue for a more relaxing home. You don’t have to buy a new couch and matching lounge chairs if you don’t want to; simply adding a few throw pillows and blankets will help you create a serene, cozy environment.
An accent wall can be added to any room, just be sure that the navy hue will match well with your existing wall color. If you need to repaint, white goes extremely well with navy; add some dark greenery, and you may just create a little slice of heaven in your living room. You can also repaint furniture in this color if you want to save money.
Other Uses for Navy Blue
The nice part about navy blue is that it goes well with a variety of other colors and it can be used as the base for many palettes. Its calming abilities are just one more reason to incorporate it into your life.
One place you can incorporate it is in your wardrobe. From pajamas to professional attire, wearing blue has a multitude of benefits. Aside from being a relaxing color, blue is often associated with trustworthiness, responsibility, and dependability. You can wear this serene color to your next meeting or job interview to create a sense of peace and trust between you and the other person. Wearing this color to bed will undoubtedly put you in sleep mode by lowering your heart rate and gently reminding you of starry skies.
You can also wear navy lounge clothing and use a blue yoga mat for an added touch of relaxation during your practice. This rich hue is abundant in nature, so don’t be afraid to take time out of your busy schedule to admire the night sky or stand by the ocean.
Jewelry, accessories, candles, home decor, rugs, and many other things can be found in navy blue; there are so many ways that you can bring this color into your life without spending a fortune.
Another fantastic way to reap the benefits of this color is to create art that incorporates it. You can paint or used colored pencils to create your own interpretations of mighty mountains, lakes, and oceans; hang up your creations around your home when you are finished in a blue frame. Making art is relaxing for most people; creating art with the world’s most tranquil color takes it to the next level!
Thanks to the study, it’s clear that incorporating navy blue into your surroundings will bring a variety of benefits, including a sense of calm and a lower heart rate. Even if blue isn’t your favorite color, including pops of it around your home and in your wardrobe, can bring relaxation, and help you be perceived as trustworthy.
Whether you decide to redecorate your home with the color, wear blue more often, or use it in your artwork, you will be able to experience the benefits of this calming, versatile color.
