Medical Malpractice

Can someone please explain why most insane asylums have white walls?

I've always wanted to know this. Why exactly do insane asylums(the straight-jacket type) have dull white padded walls. It seems like if the person is already crazy, that within itself would make them even more crazier. Why aren't the walls ever a cheerful or more upbeat color? Maybe that would help.

Public Comments

1. Maybe 1 it's easier to see stains like blood if some one hurts themselves 2 it's a calm alert color.. actually I see nothing wrong with the color white..plus it is very expressive. meh I can't really think of anything else.
2. white = sanitary
3. Perhaps it is because of the plainness of it so that it will not trigger the voices in their heads not trying to be funny
4. I don't know, but your right. Why not a bright happy yellow, or lifting light blue. Thats a good question.
5. my mom is a nurse and she one told me when thy went into asylum as part of class they could not wear white because it was a sign of authority and that they are intimidated my the color, but i also think certain colors set them off, and white is very plain and non controversial
6. They are actually called psychiatric hospitals now, since insane asylums is not really an appropriate term. Not all the walls in places like this are only white. They are usually the same colours as hospitals, but there have even been places that were decorated with soothing colours like sage greens, butter yellows and such.
7. It's the cheapest paint...Color doesn't set anyone off, and even if it did, it's not like anyone gives a crap about "insane" people, they just want to make the places with as low amount of cost as they can.