Picking the Perfect Color for Productivity: Designing High-Performance Office Spaces

In the modern office, boosting productivity is a critical function of a high-performance office space. Whether you are designing an office space for your team or for yourself, making effective decisions can be challenging. This challenge can even be overwhelming as you juggle balancing the needs of your office space.

When choosing layouts and furniture for your space, it is quite possible that you are accidentally overlooking the psychological impact color has on an effective workflow! Color can have a potent effect on the atmosphere in your office space, so it is essential to choose correctly and with purpose. The colors you choose to surround yourself and your employees with can be just as important as choosing the right chair to sit in.

Why Choosing the Right Color Matters in Your Workspace

Choosing the right color in your office space bears more weight than just personal preference, especially when designing for a team workspace. Selecting a color choice for your office is a strategic decision that can have a measurable impact on the atmosphere and performance of your day-to-day workflow. Color can influence the way in which the brain processes information, impacting how long we can stay focused and how we emotionally react to an environment. In your workspace, color choice is a tool that can support productivity by conserving cognitive energy and assisting in sustaining concentration.

Studies on the psychological impact of color on the human brain have found common trends in how people react to colors. You can use this to help make informed decisions about the color scheme of your workspace. For example, cooler tones in the blue and green range often inspire calmness and productive longevity, meaning that these are great choices for a high-performance workspace. If your office is also expecting visitors, these colors can also help guests intuitively understand the values of your company. While all colors have emotional connotations, it is important to remember that some colors, like bright orange, may be poor choices for an office space. Colors that are overly saturated and taxing on the eyes can induce stress and anxiety if they are not used in the right amounts. Thoughtful usage of colors and their effects can make or break your workspace!

Beyond the psychological impacts of your color choice, it is also important to keep in mind how a color impacts the physical functionality of your environment. For example, if your office space relies on having large displays for meetings you will need to keep in mind how your color choices will contrast with said displays. Productivity can be negatively impacted if monitors are difficult to read and there is too much contrast between different elements of the room like the paint and furniture colors. Ultimately, color should support productivity in your space, not detract from it.

The Best Colors for Productivity

Blue

Blue is one of the most popular choices for office spaces! Blue is calming but also attributes an air of sophistication and intelligence. With many shades ranging from relaxing light blues to more striking navy blues, this color is easy on the eyes and can hardly be overused in a room. Blue upholstery and paint can also pair very well with light-colored furniture which brings a fresh and clean style to your workspace.

Green

Green similarly creates an atmosphere of calmness while also bringing a natural, vibrant ambience to your space. Earthier shades of green are perfect for creating a lively but peaceful tone for the office. This is an excellent choice for offices that want to bring an eco-friendly presence to their space or for individuals who love to fill their home office with plants and other natural elements to their décor.

White

White is a fantastic choice for those that need an environment that is 100% distraction free. White creates a clean and uncluttered space that promotes total focus on the task at hand. A warm shade of white is also great for small offices, especially home offices where there may not be much space. This helps make the room feel lighter and bigger, stopping feelings of claustrophobia in their tracks when you are trying to focus.

Yellow

We know what you might be thinking, “Yellow? That’s too bright!” but when used in the right shade as an accent color to white or other light neutral colors it, can bring an energetic tone to your office space. If the work you do requires high energy and dynamic processes, yellow could create a great workspace for you! A splash of yellow can bring an uplifting touch of happiness to your workday.

Brown

For those who love neutral tones and the reduced eye strain they grant, brown may be the color for your office. Office furniture comes in a large variety of brown tones, meaning, you are bound to find a color that suits you perfectly! Brown is fantastic for people who feel more productive in neutral toned spaces. While you may be office bound for work, adding brown to your space can bring natural outdoorsy elements to you. Brown has the benefit of being easy on the eyes and brain, helping to reduce stress brought on by a taxing environment.

Pink

Sometimes, the best way to create an environment that you are happy to sit in all day is to bring in a pop of fun color. Pink is becoming an increasingly popular color choice for personal offices and guarantees to brighten your day. Pink, like blue, pairs wonderfully with a variety of light-toned desks, chairs, and storage solutions. Choosing pink as your color scheme base is a fantastic way to introduce a bold color without going overboard.

Colors and Design Choices to Avoid

While there is a way to make almost any color work for you, it is essential to remember that color should be employed tactfully and at times with moderation. Even though blue is an easy color to design an office with, too many shades of blue in one room may detract from the productivity of the space! When picking colors for your office, ensure that you exercise caution and mindfulness when combining them. It is vital that you keep track of the overall combination of colors in your space else to create a cohesive environment.

Bold colors can also make or break an office space! Tactful usage of bold reds, purples, and other intense colors can help create a fun accent or functional space in the office. However, bold colors can be overpowering for long days by straining the brain unnecessarily.

Let Us Help You Design Your Productive Workspace!

Is design not your strong suit? Let Markets West assist you in your endeavor to create a beautifully designed office space! With over forty years of experience in the industry, the team at Markets West is eager to help you achieve your dream office space by using our expertise to tailor your office to your functional needs and budget. As a family-owned and operated business, we promise to treat your project with the care and attention it deserves.

Markets West is a long-standing local business operating in the Phoenix metropolitan area. We offer an understanding of local needs and priorities which we will enthusiastically bring to your project. Get started with your project today by calling or requesting a quote!

Ultimately, You do You!

While color can create a specific atmosphere, your office space should suit your tastes. Prioritize the parts of your office design that are most important to you. Personal comfort and functionality are also a priority for both home offices and large office floors. We hope you take these color design tips into your latest office design project!