Impact of Interior Colour Psychology on Patient Stress and Recovery on Healthcare Architecture

Interior environments significantly influence psychological and physiological well-being, particularly in healthcare settings where patients experience heightened stress and anxiety. This research investigates the role of interior colour psychology in reducing patient stress and enhancing recovery outcomes. The study examines how different colour palettes—cool, warm muted, and neutral tones—affect emotional responses within healthcare environments. A mixed-method approach was adopted, including questionnaire surveys, literature review, and comparative case studies of Maggie’s Centres (United Kingdom) and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. Findings indicate that cool nature-inspired colours such as blue and green promote calmness and reduce stress, while warm muted tones such as soft yellow and peach enhance optimism and emotional reassurance. Excessive neutrality without layering may lead to psychological detachment. The research further identifies that colour effectiveness is mediated by lighting, materiality, spatial configuration, and cultural perception. The study concludes that colour functions as a silent therapeutic infrastructure and should be strategically integrated into healthcare design to support holistic healing.