The colors around you affect how you feel and perform at work. Bright, energizing shades can boost your motivation and creativity. Calming, muted tones help you concentrate and reduce stress. The smart use of color is powerful for productivity.
Many modern workplaces prioritize this “color psychology” when designing their spaces. They realize that the right color schemes inspire employees to feel focused yet collaborative, while the wrong hues might leave people feeling drained or distracted instead.
This article will explore how strategic pops of color can optimize your workplace for peak productivity and performance. You’ll learn the energizing shades that spark creativity and the tranquil tones that help to focus.
The Science Behind Color Psychology
Color has a deep impact on our psychology, physiology and behaviors. The different hues we perceive aren’t just visually appealing – they stimulate different brain and body reactions.
Let’s start with the broad color families. Warm colors like reds, oranges and yellows are more energizing and stimulating. They can increase feelings of excitement, enthusiasm and even hunger. Cool colors like blues, greens and purples generally have a calming, soothing effect that helps concentrate.
Bright, saturated hues stimulate and arouse us, while muted, pastel shades promote relaxation and serenity. Neutral tones like beige, gray and tan are psychologically reassuring but can feel drab if overused.
For example, the color red is tied to heightened energy and urgency. It can raise blood pressure and respiration rates. Yellow is a cheerful, optimistic color that boosts confidence and happiness levels. In contrast, blue is linked to tranquility and peace as it lowers brain activity and body temperature.
You’ve likely experienced these effects yourself. A vibrant red accent wall might fill you with motivation and vigor. Surrounding yourself with soft, cool blue hues can instill a sense of calm, perfect for focused work.
The psychology of color is rooted in biological responses that impact our emotions, cognitive functioning and physical states.
Energizing Colors for Productivity Zones
I interviewed Shivani Baweja, founder of 1602 Interiors, about how colors impact productivity. She explained that different colors have distinct energies and moods.
For offices and co-working spaces where people work long hours, the goal is to improve productivity and concentration through a serene environment using light and dark neutral tones like brown, tan, and green. Bold, bright colors are avoided as they can be distracting. However, pops of color may be added in specific areas like cafeterias based on client preferences.
Shivani said, “We are very careful about the psychological impact of colors. We make sure colors enhance productivity rather than distract from it.” Too much yellow, for instance, can make a space feel overly playful and energizing when concentration is needed.
For one project at WorkspaceCo., Shivani used yellow accents at the entrance to create an upbeat, welcoming feel. But she used yellow sparingly so the overall workspace maintained a focused, balanced atmosphere. In other areas, she combined white, black and light blue tones to achieve a productive yet calming vibe.
The strategic use of accent colors helps shape the desired mood and mindset without being overpowering. This means people can easily switch between working together and focusing on their own tasks as they move around the workspace.
The Right Color Balance
“The key is creating the right ‘color flow’ that transitions smoothly between vibrant, collaborative areas and more focus spaces,” says interior designer Shivani. “You want some visual interest and contrast, but it should feel cohesive.”
She recommends anchoring larger areas with neutral color baselines like warm grays or beiges. Then, add brighter accent colors like walls, furniture, or decor in strategic spots.
“Accent colors should only make up about 10-20% of the palette,” Shivani notes. “You can use an energizing red to highlight a brainstorming room or calm blue greens in a quiet work zone.”
Many coworking spaces excel at this balanced color approach. At WorkspaceCo., most common areas have an industrial-chic greige color scheme. But pops of vibrant yellow energize specific lounges and phone rooms where you need a jolt of enthusiasm. Conversely, their quiet workspace has soothing shades of blue and sage green.
The idea is to create distinct color “zones” that match the type of work in each space. Bright colors boost energy for group brainstorming sessions, while softer colors create a calm atmosphere for focusing on individual tasks.
Using colors this way, the office can support teamwork and solo work. This means employees can easily switch between feeling energized and getting into a focused mindset, depending on their work.
When you purposefully choose different colors for each area, you’re setting the right vibe for the type of work being done. This helps everyone stay productive by keeping them in the right frame of mind for whatever task they’re tackling.
