Colour is thoroughly underestimated in the working world. We take for granted the feelings, moods and sensations they inspire and ignore the power they have to revitalise a workplace.
For instance, if you were to enter any office space, the first thing you’ll notice is their use of stock colours – greys, blacks and whites. Now whilst these colours may make an office look sleek, modern and professional; the truth is these colours are uninspiring, bland and too minimalistic.

In fact, top studies suggest that greys, in particular, are viewed as dull, boring and even sickening by employees; a feeling that can impact on their productivity.

So what can you do? How can you ensure your business creates the right image, whilst ensuring your colour choices keep your employees motivated?

The Psychology of Colours

Colours are a powerful asset to an office as they have the ability to increase employee passion and performance levels. The trick is learning how to use them correctly and ensure you find the right balance.

Take the following colour facts:

Red – is known to stimulate and raise heart rates, and is often associated with energy and passion
Blue – can lower blood pressure and ease stress, and has also been linked to feelings of calm, trust and power
Green – can be soothing, restful and natural, whilst instilling a sense of balance
Yellow – fresh, cheerful and warm, it is said to inspire optimism and energy
Purple – normally considered a Royal colour, purple is creative, luxurious and gives a sense of mystery
Vibrant colours – can invigorate and inspire
Pastel colours – produce a calming effect, encouraging increased concentration

Most colours inspire the same reactions; however depending on the type of business you offer some will work better than others. That is why designers suggest testing them out on your employees and seeing how they react to them. Once you find a common colour that inspires creativity and productivity, then you can consider the following tip:

Layer your colour palette – pick 2 contrasting colours and 1 neutral base e.g. white, black and blonde timber, or white, aqua and pink. Only use small touches of these prominent colours – for instance as cushions on white chairs – as too much colour can be overbearing.

Boosting the performance levels of your staff is easier than you think, so the next time you consider designing your office, remember to bear in mind the impact your colour choices will have on your employees.

Author’s Bio: The author of this article, Kelly Haller, is a design and colour consultant who offers colour training courses to teach businesses how to utilise the psychology of colour to sell their services and improve productivity, confidence and passion amongst staff.