Every design and build project we undertake is bespoke; specific to the needs of the client.\u00a0 Whether we are designing a completely new space, or working on a refurb, as purveyors of the positive workplace we know colours can play a vital role in employee wellbeing and productivity.\u00a0 A recent study found that a well-designed workplace can increase employee\u2019s happiness by as much as 33%!\u00a0 So, with this in mind, we consider the use of colour very carefully with each project we undertake; whether its walls, chairs, desks, meeting rooms or the recharge area, (an important part of any office in our opinion), each area or zone of a workplace can have a clear identity by deployment of colour.<\/p>\n
Delving into colour psychology can be fascinating\u2026 colours evoke emotions and can have negative and positive effects on your day, as Oscar Wilde said \u2018mere colour can speak to the soul in a thousand different ways\u2019<\/em>.\u00a0 Think about the journey to work, when you see a blue sky in the morning, it makes you feel positive, productive and calm- that\u2019s more to do with the colour blue than it being a \u2018nice day\u2019, now think about how you may feel when the sky is grey it can make you feel down and discouraged.<\/p>\n There is conflicting information on what colours to use in the workplace, but we think its more to do with HOW you use colour. Adding accents to furniture or acoustics is a great way of adding some life into an environment or using a graphic on a wall can be a great way to inject personality and energy into a space.<\/p>\n When planning your return to work, use our guide below to see if your office colour scheme will be drawing employees in or turning them away:<\/p>\n The key with this colour is to use it as an accent.\u00a0 If it\u2019s used too much you may find it can evoke feelings of anger and feelings of competition rather than teamwork and collaboration, interestingly it can also increase appetite and cause blood pressure to rise.<\/p>\n The use of red accents in the is project creates empowerment and warmth in a space that has used lots of cooler, more calming, colours and therefore gives a great contrast for meeting environments, sparking passion and energy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Often referred to as the worlds favourite colour, blue is used in a lot of workplaces due to these connotations and is regularly used in company logos and\u00a0branding as it promotes \u2018trustworthy\u2019 feelings. It\u2019s a good colour to use absolutely anywhere in the workplace; flooring, furniture, walls, breakout areas,\u00a0meeting rooms and in an open plan office.<\/p>\n In this design, blue was used in acoustic panels, open plan area and in informal meeting areas.\u00a0 It was also used on the floor too and on the glass to improve privacy.\u00a0 The primary brand colour was blue, but using various shades throughout creates an allegiance to the company from employees and oozes stability and productivity.<\/span><\/p>\n It’s also great to add tonal coloured furniture as these pops of colour can create energy within a holistic overall palette.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Yellow is a great colour to use in meeting rooms, meeting areas and community spaces.\u00a0 Similar to red it works well when used as an accent on walls, furniture or on acoustics.<\/p>\n Using yellow tensioned rope as a non-structural team divider can create different functional areas that allow more varied workflows.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Fabulous for creating a calm environment, green is a great colour to be used in areas where people are expected to spend a long time staring at their computers as it can help to reduce eye strain and create balance between the body and emotions.<\/p>\n Also, using green in the workplace doesn\u2019t have to be confined to furniture or walls, introduce green through plants. Having plants in the office adds the colour green and the positive effects listed above, but they also help to oxygenate the air which helps with increasing productivity and lowering stress levels.<\/p>\n You don’t have to keep it to a wall, creating a sense of ‘outside’ inside is also a fabulous idea to stimulate positivity, harmony and productivity.<\/p>\n You could even go one step further with plants and have a living wall installed. This trend has gathered momentum over recent years and looks set to stay around for a while as it brings the outdoors in.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Although traditionally thought of as a feminine colour, in a workplace pink is so much more than that. When using the right shade, it can be used in a variety of ways; as desk partitions, furniture and on walls. Using a light pink will create a safe and calm environment which will help promote focus – something employees’ value in open-plan offices. Some people also find bright pink an inspiring, vibrant and creative colour.<\/p>\n The use of light pink in this breakout area will stimulate feelings of relaxation which will help employees feel calm, rested and ready to get on with their next task.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Colours such as whites, greys and browns tend to get a bad rep for being depressive, bland, boring and uncreative, however, we believe that every colour has its place and when used correctly it is just as stimulating and important as the reds and blues.<\/p>\n White is great for opening up spaces and allowing other colours to shine just as in your home.\u00a0 It works well as a background for colour accents like yellow, red or blue which will promote productivity and positivity. It can be used on walls, furniture and in all areas of the workplace. The key is to balance it well with other colours to avoid a clinical, harsh environment which can occur if used too much.<\/p>\n By keeping the walls white in this atrium staircase it allows the vibrant colours to do all the talking. This is an area of energy, productivity and trust, plus it has an open feel with lots of natural light flooding in.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Having a combination of white and grey act as a great background for the brand colours that have been used in the furniture for this project.\u00a0 This will work to reinforce brand identity, values and ethos for the company.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n It is clear to see how colour can affect workplace productivity and impacts on whether employees have a positive workplace.\u00a0 Whilst its always important to incorporate the brand into a workplace design, it is also important to remember that people react differently to colours.\u00a0 When choosing the colour scheme, whether contemplating a refurb or moving to a new location, consider the following:<\/p>\nRed<\/h2>\n
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dev.codethisfor.me\/bluejelly\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Otsuka-2017-300x202.png\")
<\/p>\nBlue<\/h2>\n
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dev.codethisfor.me\/bluejelly\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/2349-Copy-300x200.jpg\")
<\/p>\nYellow<\/h2>\n
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dev.codethisfor.me\/bluejelly\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/2996-Copy-200x300.jpg\")
<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nGreen<\/h2>\n
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dev.codethisfor.me\/bluejelly\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/2657-300x196.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Amicus](\"https:\/\/dev.codethisfor.me\/bluejelly\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/0079-300x209.jpg\")
<\/p>\nPink<\/h2>\n
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dev.codethisfor.me\/bluejelly\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Amicus-relaxation-area-300x150.png\")
<\/p>\nWhite<\/h2>\n
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dev.codethisfor.me\/bluejelly\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Compassion91-365-EditHalfRes-286x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\nGrey<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dev.codethisfor.me\/bluejelly\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/BlueJellySept24HalfRes-223x300.jpg\")
Interestingly grey is a neutral colour and doesn’t immediately have a psychological effect, however, depending on the shade and what other colours surround it, it can be deemed a negative colour.<\/p>\n