Green is the colour of spring, the hue of rebirth, and a whisper of calm in a chaotic world. It’s also a cornerstone of colour psychology, offering profound benefits for physical and emotional well-being. Let’s take a journey through the power of green, a shade that transforms not only our spaces but our spirits.
The Ease of Green
Green is unique in its ability to soothe. As a balanced colour sitting between warm and cool on the spectrum, it is one of the easiest hues for the human eye to process.
This physical comfort has a psychological counterpart: green evokes feelings of safety, harmony, and relaxation.
In healthcare design, green has long been favoured for its healing properties. Hospitals and wellness centres incorporate soft shades such as sage or mint to create environments conducive to recovery.
Research shows that patients in rooms with views of greenery heal faster and require less pain medication—a testament to the profound connection between humans and nature.
Green in the Built Environment
From residential spaces to bustling urban centres, green offers a bridge between modern life and our primal need for nature. In commercial design, hues such as pistachio or olive are used to cultivate productivity and collaboration, while deep forest greens bring a sense of sophistication and grounding to luxury interiors.
Singapore, a city that embraces green living on an extraordinary scale, has redefined urban design. My own travels there revealed the breathtaking harmony of architecture and nature, from the cascading gardens of Marina Bay Sands to the lush vertical forests of residential towers. The city invites its residents to live more outdoors than indoors, proving that green is not just a colour but a way of life.
Shades of Nature
Consider the greens of the natural world:
- Emerald: Rich and vibrant, glimmering rainforest after rainfall.
- Pistachio: Soft and understated, reminiscent of fresh leaves on a spring morning.
- Olive: Earthy and grounding, evoking ancient trees in Mediterranean groves.
- Moss: Cool and tranquil, a carpet of stillness in a forest.
Each shade tells its own story, offering versatility in design and a palette that resonates universally.
Designing for Well-Being
As designers, we hold the power to create spaces that nurture the body and mind. By incorporating green—whether through paint, textiles, furniture, plants, or natural vistas—we align our environments with the human need for connection, renewal, and balance.
Green doesn’t just fill a space; it transforms it into a sanctuary.
The Wisdom of Kermit
Kermit ends his lament with a realization:
But green’s the colour of spring And green can be cool and friendly-like And green can be big like an ocean Or important like a river Or tall like a tree.
Indeed, green is the perfect colour to be. It’s the colour of hope, of possibility, and of life itself. So, let’s embrace it—not just in design but in the way we live.
References
- Ulrich, R. S. (1984). “View Through a Window May Influence Recovery from Surgery.”
- Kaplan, R., & Kaplan, S. (1989). The Experience of Nature: A Psychological Perspective.
- Singapore Urban Redevelopment Authority. “Biophilic City Planning Guidelines.”