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Article

Psychology or Physiology? Choosing the Right Color for Interior Spaces to Support Occupants’ Healthy Circadian Rhythm at Night

by
Mansoureh Sadat Jalali
1,*,
Ronald B. Gibbons
2,3 and
James R. Jones
2
1
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran 1591634311, Iran
2
College of Architecture and Urban Studies, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA
3
Transportation Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Buildings 2025, 15(15), 2665; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15152665
Submission received: 8 July 2025 / Revised: 21 July 2025 / Accepted: 23 July 2025 / Published: 28 July 2025
(This article belongs to the Section Building Energy, Physics, Environment, and Systems)

Abstract

The human circadian rhythm is connected to the body’s endogenous clock and can influence people’s natural sleeping habits as well as a variety of other biological functions. According to research, various electric light sources in interior locations can disrupt the human circadian rhythm. Many psychological studies, on the other hand, reveal that different colors can have varied connections with and a variety of effects on people’s emotions. In this study, the effects of light source attributes and interior space paint color on human circadian rhythm were studied using 24 distinct computer simulations. Simulations were performed using the ALFA plugin for Rhinoceros 6 on an unfurnished bedroom 3D model at night. Results suggest that cooler hues, such as blue, appear to have an unfavorable effect on human circadian rhythm at night, especially when utilized in spaces that are used in the evening, which contradicts what psychologists and interior designers advocate in terms of the soothing mood and nature of the color. Furthermore, the effects of Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) and the intensity of a light source might be significant in minimizing melanopic lux to prevent melatonin suppression at night. These insights are significant for interior designers, architects, and lighting professionals aiming to create healthier living environments by carefully selecting lighting and color schemes that support circadian health. Incorporating these considerations into design practices can help mitigate adverse effects on sleep and overall well-being, ultimately contributing to improved occupant comfort and health.
Keywords: CCT; human circadian rhythm; interior space color; room color CCT; human circadian rhythm; interior space color; room color

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Jalali, M.S.; Gibbons, R.B.; Jones, J.R. Psychology or Physiology? Choosing the Right Color for Interior Spaces to Support Occupants’ Healthy Circadian Rhythm at Night. Buildings 2025, 15, 2665. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15152665

AMA Style

Jalali MS, Gibbons RB, Jones JR. Psychology or Physiology? Choosing the Right Color for Interior Spaces to Support Occupants’ Healthy Circadian Rhythm at Night. Buildings. 2025; 15(15):2665. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15152665

Chicago/Turabian Style

Jalali, Mansoureh Sadat, Ronald B. Gibbons, and James R. Jones. 2025. "Psychology or Physiology? Choosing the Right Color for Interior Spaces to Support Occupants’ Healthy Circadian Rhythm at Night" Buildings 15, no. 15: 2665. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15152665

APA Style

Jalali, M. S., Gibbons, R. B., & Jones, J. R. (2025). Psychology or Physiology? Choosing the Right Color for Interior Spaces to Support Occupants’ Healthy Circadian Rhythm at Night. Buildings, 15(15), 2665. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15152665

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