Bold and bright or cool and calm?

The influence of colour on workplace productivity has long been debated. However, there is plenty of research to back up the psychological impact that colour has on people. Colour itself can subconsciously affect our brain, mood and overall attitude.

Deciding on a colour scheme is almost as important as choosing the right employees. With this in mind, careful consideration needs to go into the planning of the perfect colour scheme in order to successfully cultivate the right kind of productivity and create a lasting impression on clients.

Be mindful, there can be too much of a good thing. As an employer, the aim is to stimulate the right kind of productivity without being overwhelming. We understand that there are all sorts of different factors that influence an individual’s reaction to colour, so it isn’t one shoe fits all approach – more of a guideline.

Choosing Your Palette

Natural with neutral

When you imagine a typical office, you see plenty of white, beige and greys, these are pretty commonplace in workspaces. Originally associated with a sense of comfort, recent research has indicated that too much of these colours can actually relate to feelings of negativity and despondency.

Browns and woods are particularly fashionable but be cautious about creating too much ‘darkness’ as in doing so can potentially arouse depressing feelings.

Raise your energy with warmth

Reds and oranges are known for their stimulating qualities, promoting dynamism and increasing overall energy levels. The colour red holds a sense of urgency and in small amounts, it can be incredibly effective. However, too much it can act as a stressor and in fact overstimulate staff.

Orange is another energetic colour but has the added bonus of being activity focused and is associated with evoking conversation. Such bold colours can attract your employees and potential client’s attention, so be sure to use these in areas you want them to look at and be inspired by.

As we move further through the colour spectrum, we reach yellow. Yellow is a tricky colour, it is known to promote optimism and innovation but too much can cause anxiety. Yet creative people are naturally drawn to the colour, using a cooler tone however will reduce the headache, while still inspiring your creative team.

Promote workplace productivity with tranquillity

Blue and green take top trumps for being the most popular colour schemes in the workplace, associated with harmony and productivity. Their representation of outdoors and nature immediately put us at ease.

Blue is the world’s favourite colour and has long been associated with intellect. It promotes creative thinking and increases employee satisfaction. Not only that, but it encourages consistency, seeing staff start and complete a task with ease.

Famed for its calming effect, the colour is frequently placed in areas that can potentially become ‘heated’, meeting rooms, interview rooms for example. It is also popular in collaboration areas to inspire employees to come up with intelligent solutions through the tranquil ambience.

Green is a fantastic colour to reduce eye strain and help reduce anxiety. The colour mimics our natural environment, immediately giving a welcoming impression. Interestingly it is also beneficial on employee productivity and, in the right environments, create an energised atmosphere.

Finding the right colours

Choosing the right colour scheme for your workplace can be a difficult decision. It needs to reflect your brand, values and in the era of employee wellbeing, it is important to create a positive working environment. So choose wisely and take advantage of the power that colour can have.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on how colour affects your workspace.