Boring white is a thing of the past! Colours in the office can significantly boost employees' motivation and efficiency. Even so, a modern office should not overwhelm anyone, as it has been proven that emotions can be directly influenced by colours.
Office colour scheme: Why is it important?
Colour schemes already played a role when defining the corporate design. However, it often only becomes clear afterwards that the sober grey in a private office was just as poor a choice as a rainbow colour scheme in an open-plan office. Choosing the right wall colour for the office is just as important as office furniture in matching colours! Studies have long shown that colours appeal to the senses and emotions, and can also affect them directly. They contribute to relaxation and creativity just as much as they do to communication. Colours are important for well-being, helping ideas to flourish or even inhibiting them. Our advice, therefore, is this: office colours should be used thoughtfully and sparingly, and the findings of colour psychology should be taken into account.
How colours in the office affect motivation, creativity and performance
Whether you want a Feng Shui office and focus just as much on the arrangement of the furniture as on the choice of colours, or whether you simply put the colour scheme itself centre stage, the fact is that colours in the office affect motivation, creativity and performance. Yellow is known to stimulate the mind, while combining it with blue is suitable for all areas where employees need plenty of energy. Yellow and blue provide strength and encourage new ideas to grow. They are therefore the ideal colours for the brainstorming area.
Red, on the other hand, is an exciting colour – quite literally! In areas where a lot of discussion is needed, red can work wonders. Orange has a somewhat milder effect on workplace efficiency and, especially when combined with yellow, mainly promotes communication and creativity. Orange is a vibrant colour that is less likely to trigger aggression, as can sometimes be the case with red. In general, motivation, creativity and performance can be boosted above all with warm colours. Office colour concepts should not only include the walls, but also the furniture and office lighting.
Colours in the office: What effect does each colour have?
The following overview shows how different office colours can affect the working environment. If you want to design an office with colour, these basic principles should be taken into account:
| Colour | Effect |
|---|---|
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Red is associated with warmth and attractiveness. It stands for confidence and dynamic energy. However, it can also be linked to aggression and danger. Red is stimulating and suitable for all work and meeting areas, although it is one of those colours that should not cover entire walls. A few accents are often enough. |
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Yellow is associated with positive, contented feelings and stands for alertness, optimism and pure joie de vivre. A yellow wall has a calming effect and lifts the mood, while also creating a relaxing atmosphere. Yellow can encourage communication and may also have a positive effect on concentration. When mixed with white, yellow can even help restore inner balance. However, it should not be used too extensively in areas where contract negotiations or sensitive conversations take place, as yellow can often feel unsettling there. |
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Blue has both a calming effect and a stimulating influence on concentration. It stands for precision and courage and promotes clear thinking. Blue is therefore suitable for all areas where solutions and a shared goal need to be found. |
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The selected office colour examples would not be complete without calming green. It creates a sense of balance and helps promote a positive mood and concentration. Green is easy on the eyes and helps counter feelings of stress. It can be applied over large areas or used as an accent colour. |
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White is one of the most commonly used office colours and can be wonderfully combined with other shades. However, it can have a clinical effect and tire the eyes over time. To avoid this effect, combining it with other colours is recommended. Pure white should also never be used; an off-white shade is the better choice. |
The best colour for the office or study can also be a neutral shade with only low intensity, such as beige or sand. Pastel colours are also pleasant, represent inner balance and reduce mental hyperactivity.
Which colours suit which type of office?
When designing a private office, there is plenty of freedom in terms of colour, while taking the above aspects into account. Green and blue combined with white are just as good as orange and yellow. If clients or guests are received in the office, red should be avoided or used only as an accent colour.
In an open-plan office, many people and their needs have to be taken into account. Pastel shades are an ideal choice here. These can also be used in several colour variations, creating a colourful room in which individual work areas or workstations are designed in different colours. Anyone looking to furnish a conference room should bear in mind that creativity is the main focus here. Light blue, violet or light green are very good colour options, and a light yellow can also be used. Green and yellow are excellent, inspiring colour choices.
The reception area, on the other hand, should be designed in peach, cream or a light shade of red. These colours appeal to everyone and have a positive, welcoming effect. The company immediately appears more likeable!
More tips for office colour design
If you are looking for ideas for the right wall colour for your office, take the following tips to heart:
- The colours used should suit the people using the space – it makes sense to take their preferences for office colours into account.
- Office walls should be painted in three different colours (ratio: 70 : 20 : 20 percent).
- A room should always have one calming side and one stimulating side.
- When furnishing an office, consider the colours of the office furniture: the office chair and desk should match the wall design in the office.
- If you do not want to create accents on the wall, the office chair can add colour or the desk can bring colour into the room. But here too, the rule applies: do not choose furniture that is too colourful!
Conclusion on colours in the office
Colours in the office help the body switch into work mode and also evoke emotions. However, the focus should not only be on creativity, motivation and efficiency at work, but should also take the company’s colours into account. Corporate design and influencing moods in the workplace need to go hand in hand. In addition, the colours must suit the industry and also reflect whether a more conventional appearance is required.