We’re exposed to colours every day, and, without realising it, they can impact our moods, thoughts, and even our productivity! Because of this, we should be choosing office colours that help us to focus, boost creativity, and benefit our overall well-being.
At Order Office Furniture, we’ve got plenty of stylish budget office furniture that goes with pretty much any colour, whether that’s bright or dark. And, in this blog, we’ll tell you all about the best colour for an office that will ultimately enhance your focus and productivity.
Ready to learn more about colours? Then let’s delve straight in!
What is classed as the most productive colour?
There are plenty of ways that colour psychology impacts today’s modern workplace. Lots of studies have shown that colours don’t just change our mood, but they can actually impact productivity levels as well. When colour is used correctly in an office space, the benefits will follow.
According to various research into the psychology of colour, colours have both physical and psychological effects on people, triggering a range of moods and even affecting behaviour. Therefore, it’s important that colour is not overlooked when designing a workspace that you use every day, whether that’s in your home or in a communal office. You should, of course, think about your own personal style too - don’t just paint your office a colour that you don’t like for the sake of it!
So, what actually is classed as the most ‘productive’ colour? Well, according to extensive research, blue is the favoured colour for offices. A blue-painted room is especially beneficial for those who work in fast-paced, demanding jobs. This is because blue is a harmonious colour that relieves stress and promotes feelings of calm and tranquillity, resulting in more efficient work being delivered.
Our 5 top colours for a productive office space
However, blue isn’t the only productive colour on offer. While blue is a popular colour choice for offices, you shouldn’t rule out the other amazing and never-ending colour options. If blue feels too overwhelming as a wall colour, consider a blue office desk or chair. Or, you might want a more vibrant, encouraging office space - perhaps you work better when exposed to active and warm colours. If you aren’t sure where to start, don’t worry, as below we’ve got 5 of the best colours for an office.
Let’s have a look at them in a bit more detail…
1. Green
Another member of the cool colours family, green is also considered a productive colour option for your office. It’s no surprise that the colour green promotes calmness, comfort, and peacefulness due to its association with nature and the outside world. Green can also cause less eye fatigue, helping with longer-term focus and attention, a great choice for those who work longer hours or suffer from screen-induced eye strain.
If you don’t want to commit to green walls, plants will do a similar job! Several studies have shown that having plants in the office makes us more productive as they significantly increase workspace satisfaction, levels of concentration, and perceived air quality. Therefore, employees are more cognitively and emotionally involved in their work!
Green also compliments neutral colours gorgeously, a versatile choice that works well with whites, greys, and beiges. For more decorating tips, have a read of our blog: 7 Ways to Uniquely Decorate Your Office Desk.
2. Yellow
If you’re looking for a colour to spark your creativity, then consider yellow. The colour yellow is often viewed as an optimistic colour that can inspire increased levels of creativity and is great for collaboration areas. It’s also a great option for backgrounds as it increases information retention, which is helpful for highlighting key learning and important information. It can also help to lift spirits and create a more positive and energetic atmosphere.
A whole room decorated in the colour yellow can maybe seem overwhelming, so consider using it as an accent wall or incorporating yellow through furniture such as your office chair, artwork, or other decor. If you have a creative job, yellow is a solid choice if it’s not overused - this could induce eye fatigue.
3. Red
An extremely stimulating colour, red can also be a great colour for your office as it represents power and excitement. This warm-toned colour is best used for active workspaces as it can attract attention and make us ourselves feel more attractive. A touch of red can be energising and attention-grabbing - bright reds are more lively, while darker reds can add a touch of sophistication.
However, the colour red needs to be used wisely in order to take advantage of its benefits. Too much red can feel overstimulating, so it’s best used in smaller splashes or combined with another colour to create a pleasing balance that isn’t too harsh on the eye. Instead of a completely red room, consider a red office sofa instead. This way you can add a modern and contemporary look without feeling overwhelmed.
4. Neutrals
To add an instant calming effect to your office, we recommend neutral colours. Neutral colours that immediately spring to mind include grey, beige, cream, ivory, and taupe. They’re the foundation of many design palettes, offering a calming and versatile backdrop. They don’t compete for attention, making them a good colour choice for an office as employees can happily concentrate on their work. They don’t just have to belong on your walls - invest in a grey office desk from Order Office Furniture that will blend perfectly with whatever office space you have.
Neutrals work well with a wide range of other colours such as the ones we’ve mentioned above. They’re also easy on the eye, helping to reduce eye strain and fatigue. Plus, they also add a sense of professionalism and sophistication. Having a neutral backdrop won’t overpower your work or distract you from important tasks.
5. White
Finally on our list of office colour ideas is classic white. While it doesn’t have an instant creative impact, white is a great choice to provide a clean and sleek environment as well as a blank canvas to work with. The colour white can also make a space feel bigger and cleaner, making it great for smaller rooms or offices. Extremely versatile, white goes well with pretty much all other colours, so it can be easily combined with your favourite colour to make your office more interesting.
White is often associated with cleanliness, order, and simplicity, creating a sense of calm and organisation, which is crucial in an office environment. If you don’t like the clinical look of an all-white room, use it sparingly with a combination of other colours to achieve your desired look. Don’t forget about a matching white office desk, a popular choice for an office that helps to create a bright and contemporary-looking space.
For more organisation tips, have a read of our blog: How To Organise Your Small Office Desk.
Don’t just focus on the walls…
While painting your walls is an obvious way to inject colour into your office, if you don’t want the hassle of repainting, you can simply focus on the furniture and decorations. Colour-coordinated office chairs and ornaments 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 incorporate accent colours to create a more creative, focused, and inspiring area.
Plants and fake flowers are also a great way to inject colour into your office, and plants can also help to increase productivity! If you prefer a quirky and playful design, add bright photo frames and a vibrant rug to help define your space and add a pop of colour to a neutral room.
More practical tips for choosing office colours
With a few more practical tips, you can create an office space that encourages productivity while embracing your own creativity. Some more quick and easy tips include:
- Lighting matters - Think about how much natural light your office is exposed to. Believe it or not, this can affect how the colour appears. A room with little natural light might benefit from brighter colours, while a room with ample natural light can handle darker colours.
- Personal preference - Ultimately, the best colour for your office is down to you! Remember to consider your personal style and the colours that make you feel good and happy.
- Room functionality - This can play a significant role in your office colour. If you want to concentrate and focus, choose calming blue shades. However, if you want an office space that inspires creativity, we recommend vibrant colours like yellows and oranges.
- Test your colours - Before committing to a colour, test it out by painting a small section of the wall. Observe how it looks at different times of the day and under different lighting conditions - this will help you decide on a colour before buying a full tub of paint.
- Don’t forget the trim and ceiling - You don’t just have to paint your walls and call it a day. Consider the colour of the trim and ceiling as well - a lighter ceiling can make your office feel larger, while a darker trim can make it feel more sophisticated.
Transform your workspace with Order Office Furniture!
Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of what the best colour for an office is. While blue is technically considered the most ‘productive’ colour, there are plenty of others to choose from that will work just as well! Remember, it’s all about incorporating your personal preference and style, too.
At Order Office Furniture, we’re your prime destination for high-quality executive office furniture. For more information, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. A member of our friendly team will be more than happy to get back to you! Or, come and see our office furniture in person by visiting our showroom in Huddersfield.
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