Best office colours for productivity

It might be time to think about the colour scheme of your office, as experts suggest the right colours can improve staff morale and productivity.

As a busy business owner, you may well not have given the colour scheme of your workspace all that much thought. But experts suggest the use of colour can have an effect on staff morale and productivity.

Magnolia and white walls have traditionally been the standard for offices and workplaces, but thoughts are now trending towards spaces with more personality – to inspire your staff and that perhaps to reinforce your brand. Some companies are taking this so seriously, they are employing colour consultants to make sure they create the most effective work environment for their staff.

Which colour should you choose?

Armed with the information below, take a look at some colour charts and choose a colour and hue that will inspire and motivate your workforce.

BLUE

This is the ideal colour for people who need to concentrate and focus. This colour is particularly effective for those who work with numbers like accountants. It is a calming colour and is often associated with relaxation. Did you know that it can help lower blood pressure, slow down people’s heart rates and suppress feelings of hunger? If you work in a highly-stressful job, then a blue office may help you to remain calm.

Blue is also thought to boost imagination and creativity, but not all blue hues are equal. If you choose a blue tone that’s too cool, your office could feel chilly or sterile, while a room that’s too dark can be seen as negative, so bear this in mind when choosing your colour.

GREEN

If you work in human resources, green is an excellent choice as it is neutral and balanced. It is a great hue for staff who need to be able to look at both sides of the argument and make an informed decision. Green encourages contemplation and can help reduce anxiety. It is also a good colour for or near desktops as it creates the least amount of eye strain.

However, on the flip side, it is seen as a more stagnant colour, so if you need your staff to be more active and stimulated, you might want to chose a lighter green with a yellow base or pair it with another colour.

YELLOW

This sunny colour helps people stay in a positive frame of mind. This makes it a good option for workspaces where staff need to keep up their energy levels and stay motivated. Yellow would suit people working in sales as well as call centres as well as the creative industries, as it’s seen as a happy and exciting colour.

However, it is not to everyone’s taste and too much yellow has been known to make people feel frustrated and angry.

NEUTRALS

Neutral shades may seem a bit safe, but they are actually the one of the best choices for designers and creative types. It provides a blank canvas for all the innovative ideas and colourful combinations being created.

RED

Red is a bold colour and should be used with care. In an office, it is risky strategy as it raises blood pressure and adrenalin and can make people feel more stressed. However, it is an excellent choice in a staff canteen or cafeteria as it creates a buzz and a feeling of excitement and increases the appetite. Be sparing in how much of the colour you use and just paint an accent wall to create a striking effect, rather than overwhelming people with an all-red room.

ORANGE

As a mix of yellow and red, orange creates an energising colour that’s not quite as intense as red. Lighter oranges can help people stay energetic for the whole day, although like many of the warmer colours, don’t use this colour in excess.

PURPLE

If you have a role which involves a lot of thought and contemplation, consider painting your office purple. It is seen as an intellectual and cerebral colour.

Colour intensity and combinations

To complicate things further, it’s not just the colour you need to think about. Each colour has different hues and getting the right intensity could be just as important as the actual colour. Plus, you may find that rather than one colour, it would be best to opt for a combination of colours that complement each other. For example, if you choose to use blue in your office, maybe inject some orange elements to make the office a little more stimulating.

Think about the type of work you and your staff do and what moods you want to create or avoid. It’s also worth remembering that colour is often a matter of choice, so before you steam ahead and ditch the whites and creams, try to get some feedback from your staff.

Don’t just focus on the walls

While repainting walls is an obvious way to inject colour into your office, if you don’t want the hassle of repainting, you could simply focus on the furniture and decorations. Colour coordinated chairs and pictures can have just as much impact as the paint colour on a wall. Depending on the size of your office, you might be able to use various accented colours to create separate creative, focus or quiet areas.

At Bizspace, we allow all our customers to decorate their business units how they wish so you can choose whichever colour suits you. All that we ask is that when you leave, your workspace is in the same or better condition than when you moved in.

Author:
BizSpace

BizSpace is the UK’s leading provider of regional flexible workspace. For over 20 years we have been offering office, studio and workshop units to a wide range of businesses in convenient regional locations across the country. We are owned by Sirius Real Estate, a commercial property operator, that is supporting us on a journey to significant growth.