How Color Influences Office Design and Boosts Productivity
Posted in: office
On November 14, 2024

To make the office a work-friendly and productive space is not only about the furniture or the design that has to be right. It will directly impact the employees’ emotions and productivity as well as the mood and concentration. If the corporate colours in selecting an office are appropriate, they will positively impact the efficiency, creativity, and comfort of the employee as well as the environment in which they work. In this article, we will see how particular colours affect productivity and how to use the appropriate shades in office interior design.

The impact of colours on productivity at work

impact of colours on productivity at office

Source – quill

The psychology of colour is powerful. Each colour has its own effect on emotions and behaviour and we need to understand which shade will affect the working processes. We are going to discuss how some colors influence office culture and create a positive atmosphere.

Colour Impact on Productivity Ideal Office Areas Tips for Usage
Blue Boosts your attention and calmness. Inculcate it in Individual workspaces and focus zones Use on walls or decor items in quiet areas
Yellow Inspires creativity and positivity Brainstorming rooms, collaboration spaces Add in accents or wall art for energy boost
Green Reduces eye strain, promotes relaxation Break rooms, lounge areas Integrate plants or green decor
Red Increases energy and alertness Physical activity zones, kitchens Use sparingly in active spaces
White Expands space, creates clarity Main walls, hallways Balance with warm accents to avoid sterility
Orange Encourages enthusiasm and collaboration Meeting rooms, high-energy areas Use on furniture or decor in meeting rooms

Blue: Best for Productivity and Intellectual Arousal

Blue color office design

Source – genteempoderadamagazine

High concentration is often requested in offices, and keeping the people inside those walls calm, focussed, and stable; it is normal that the favorite color in offices is blue. Blue can reduce stress and give you better focus. You can add it in jobs involving numbers and detailed work, such as accounting and research.

Adding Blue: Blue would be very suitable for workspaces or meeting rooms where concentration and mental clarity are needed. Soothing light blues produce a simple, general atmosphere, while deeper blues can give a sense of solidity to a space and even give it a sense of trustworthiness.

Yellow: Energizing and Creativity-Inducing

Yellow color office design

Source – static1.gensler

Radiant and vibrant yellow could brighten up an office space, making it look radiant and full of cheer, which could stimulate creativity and high energy.

Yellow colour is inspiring, helps in innovative thinking and problem solving and thus it is a colour of optimism.  This colour creates warmth that helps in teamwork and openness.

Using Yellow Colour: Use yellow colour in creative or brainstorming areas as an accent colour. Use yellow colour to artwork, decor pieces and accessories like chair or stationery.

Green: Calming and Harmonious

Green color office design

Source – fibreguard

Green is a versatile colour that brings balance and calmness into a workspace. This colour has a sense of calmness, which makes it ideal for places where people work for several hours. Green also means development, balance. It creates a relaxing environment, which contributes to alleviating stress and tiredness.

Incorporating Green: This colour is suitable for an office’s relaxation area or any break area where employees feel recharged.Adding green plants can boost the natural ambiance, providing both aesthetic appeal and mental relaxation benefits.

Red: Stimulating and Perfect for Active Spaces

Red color office designRed is a stimulating colour. It evokes excitement and physical activity. Use red when doing some fast-paced task and you are doing some active work. However, it is advisable to use Red carefully in the work environment because it results in aggression and tension at the workplace.

Using Red Color- Red is appropriate for industries where the workers need to be vigilant such as an assembly line, kitchen, or even a gym at the workplace. Use red accent colors on equipment or small furniture rather than large walls for stimulation without cluttering the space.

White: Clean, Simple, and Clinical

White color office designWhite colour represents cleanliness, simplicity, and the modern era. White finishes can make the interior look and feel more spacious and bright but the excess use of white makes the space look clinical.

Incorporating White: White is best if applied as a base coat on walls and ceilings to enhance the look and brightness of a room.Pair white with other colours to add warmth and character, preventing a sterile or overly clinical feel.

Orange: Promoting High Energy and Productivity

Orange color office designOrange is formed by combining red, which is associated with energy, and yellow that refers to optimism and thus Orange creates a great, enthusiastic environment. It is most suitable for places where you require high energy such as the sales floor or collaborating areas. 

Using Orange: Orange should be applied to action-level places, such as discussion rooms whose dialogue is hot and high-energy. Orange upholstery or accent wall will warm up and become lively without overwhelming the room.

Balancing the Work environment through Colours

Balancing the Work environment through Colours

Source – blog.spacematrix

A good office color scheme would involve a few major colors and accents, creating cohesion and a feel overall. Some ideas on color blending:

Use neutral backgrounds: that is, white or light gray walls, which act as a neutral background of the dominating colours; this discourages dominating colours.

Accent walls and decor: Paint accent walls green or blue color in areas where you need to focus and produce. While making your decor items appear colorful, you should apply yellow or orange-colored objects to give it more energy without overwhelming the space.

Natural Elements with Green: Plants and natural greenery grace office spaces well. Not only will green enhance the ambiance of a room as calm and positive, but real plants will also clean the air indoors for you.

Layer Colours Based on Work Zones: Ensure that your office can be divided into zones based on certain activities and that colors are used to define them. For instance, blue colors are the most soothing for areas meant for focused work, while orange or red ones represent collaborative spaces or meeting rooms.

Conclusion- Color, a tool to Inspire and Motivate

Colour psychology is very effective to simplify work and support a positive environment at work. When applied with the right intention, colours can improve productivity, innovation, and employee satisfaction. Selecting the right colours can help to make your environment productive and friendly and, thus improve the well-being of the employees and their performance in the office.

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