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Colours can be used in office spaces to subtly yet effectively change the look of an office, improve the mood and worker productivity - and even encourage workers to come back into the office.
Have you ever thought about the colour of your workplace walls?
While we rarely think too hard about the importance of colour in the way we experience the world, it can actually impact our mood, alter our sleep schedule, and even change the way our food tastes — colour psychology dictates that colours are connected to emotions and behaviour.
As @WORKSPACES shares, here is how colours can be used in office spaces to subtly yet effectively change the look of an office, improve the mood and worker productivity - and even encourage workers to come back into the office.
Blue: the best colour for efficiency
Blue holds the reputation for being the ideal colour in promoting wellbeing and efficiency. Research by Lund University has shown a blue coloured room is particularly beneficial to those working in fast-paced environments.
However, it's important to choose the right shade of blue, as certain tones can make some people feel depressed or sad. Interestingly, blue can also come across as rather cold and uninviting; a test to how the colour looks in both natural and artificial lighting is therefore recommended.
Green: for calm and harmony
With its inherent association with nature and life, the colour green is also seen as calming. It is closely linked with positive emotions and symbolises growth, life and renewal, and can give people a sense of security.
On a similar note, this is why having indoor plants in offices is recommended, as they are known to boost productivity, creativity, and overall worker happiness.
While green may be less stimulating, it can increase the overall wellbeing of the people working in the office and also stimulate longer focus and attention.
White: for clean, clinical environments
The colour white is close associated with cleanliness, but white office spaces are typically viewed as dull and uninspiring — not as ideal for fostering productivity and creativity.
That being said white remains a popular choice due to its ability to make a space feel bigger and cleaner, which can be particularly a good option for smaller work forces. When paired with other colours, the look of the office then becomes more tailored and interesting.
Red: for active stimulation
Red is known to be a stimulating colour, often associated with power. With this, a statement red wall in an office can be a great way to boost stimulation — however, be careful not to overdo it as workers may end up stressed and anxious instead.
One option would be to incorporate red accessories to add energy without over-doing it.
Yellow: the colour of happiness
The colour yellow holds many positive connotations, including happiness, excitement, youthfulness, enthusiasm, creativity and confidence. It's seen as a high power sort of colour, which is why it is often used in innovation labs and creative spaces.
To note, yellow backgrounds have been shown to increase information retention, however it should be used sparingly as it can cause eye fatigue.
All in all, the colour of your office can have a dramatic impact on your staff, clients and visitors. Should you want a less permanent option, you may choose to furnish the office in a certain colour theme and leave the fixtures with a more neutral colour choice.
Brett McAllen, CEO of @WORKSPACES, comments: "Colour can be used as a powerful tool to create warm, inviting and comfortable workspaces. The key is to involve staff where possible so they feel a sense of ownership, pride and comfort in their workplace. As a result, they are more likely to want to come to work and enjoy being part of the workplace."
Lead image / 123rf.com
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