It is often said that a change of scenery can dramatically improve one’s mood and outlook on life. But did you know that the colors around you can also have a significant impact on your mental state? Studies have shown that the color of a space can influence your emotions, productivity, and overall well-being. In the workplace, this means that careful consideration should be given to the colors of the office environment. Let’s explore the power of color in the office and discuss how it can be used to improve morale, focus, and productivity. We will also look at the best ways to use color in the office to maximize the benefits. By following along with the ROYGBV (red-orange-yellow-green-blue-violet) layout, we can best determine how and where to use these colors depending on your workplace.
Red – The Color of Excitement
Red is often seen as a vibrant and energetic color, which makes it a great choice for a workplace environment. Red has the power to stimulate energy and can help boost workers’ productivity, focus, and motivation.
It can also make people feel more positive and energized, making it a great choice for a school, food service establishment, or breakroom. In an office setting, red should be used in areas where creativity and productivity are paramount, such as conference rooms and brainstorming areas.
Orange – The Color of Creativity
Orange is known to be a bright and creative color that often invokes feelings of enthusiasm, stimulation, and excitement. In workplace settings, the color orange can be used to promote creativity and collaboration among colleagues. Orange often works best in art schools, graphic design offices, and other highly creative workplaces to encourage creativity in projects, spark ideas, and facilitate new ways of solving problems.
For businesses that don’t have as large of an artistic focus as design studios or art schools, orange can still be used to promote creativity by adding accessories such as pillows, lamps, or paintings as an effective way to create a vibrant atmosphere without taking away from the office aesthetic. By implementing orange into the workspace, companies can foster a more creative and productive environment for their employees.
Yellow – The Color of Happiness
Yellow is a cheerful hue, often associated with sunshine and light. This color is ideal for creative and innovative offices, as it stimulates creativity and ideas. When used strategically, this color can help reduce stress levels and increase mental clarity, making it great for any workplace. Yellow is especially beneficial for meeting rooms and brainstorming sessions, where it can help stimulate conversation and collaboration.
On a more symbolic level, yellow is the perfect color to remind us of sunshine and the power of positivity. It is a great way to bring sunshine into an office, even on the grayest of days. When we look at yellow, it reminds us of happy times and good feelings that we associate with sunshine. It can also help motivate us to stay focused and productive in our work.
Green – The Color of Relaxation
Green is one of the most calming colors, most often associated with nature and the outdoors. Studies have shown that spending time in green spaces can reduce stress and anxiety and increase feelings of well-being. This makes it an excellent choice for use in all office spaces, as it can help promote a more relaxed atmosphere. Green is easily incorporated through Biophilic Design to use natural elements in a space. Adding plants around the office or building a living plant wall will not only bring in some natural elements to the space but also help to improve both mental health and physical health. Plants can help to reduce noise levels, create better air quality, and even boost productivity.
Overall, green is an excellent choice for offices, spas, schools, or luxury restaurants because of its calming qualities and ability to promote relaxation and productivity. By adding plants and green elements around the office, you can create a space that is relaxing and productive at the same time.
Blue – The Color of Productivity
Blue is a strong color that can have a significant impact on the moods and productivity levels of those in the office. Shades of blue are associated with feelings of openness, creativity, and productivity and can remind us of clear skies and vast oceans, creating a sense of awe and appreciation.
Scientifically speaking, blue is known to have a calming effect on the mind, promoting focus and concentration. Studies have shown that blue increases productivity and performance, helping to create an environment where people feel more motivated and inspired to work. Furthermore, blue has been linked to improved memory recollection, making it an excellent choice for office settings, healthcare facilities, and schools.
Violet – The Color of Royalty
When it comes to color in the office, it is important to choose one that speaks to professionalism and strength. One color that does just that is violet or purple. Violet is most closely associated with royalty, wealth, and luxury. It is often seen as a sign of sophistication and refinement. When used strategically in an office setting, it can give off the impression of success and strength.
Violet can also be used to bring a sense of calm to the office. While some hues are bright and stimulating, other tones of violet can be used to create a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere. A few accents of light violet can instantly add warmth and calming to a doctor’s office, school, clothing store, or corporate office, making it feel more inviting.
For a truly impressive display of confidence, try pairing violet with silver or white. This powerful combination conveys the ultimate level of authority. Alternatively, if you want to give off a sense of creativity, try pairing it with vibrant yellows or oranges.
Create Your Perfect Workplace
After finding what color works best for you, use it strategically to make a statement and impress your customers and clients. Whichever colors you choose to showcase, be specific in your usage. Too much or too little can look haphazard or under-thought. Work with the talented designers at LAOP to find the perfect level of color in your workplace.
