The psychology of colors in the workplace is a bit difficult to understand for most people, but once you get the hang of it, you will realize just how important color is in the modern workplace. If your office walls are painted a dull shade of grey, it might be time for a makeover. You might not realize it at first, but the color on the walls can have a huge impact on employee productivity and performance. Selecting the right paint colors for your commercial office space could make a massive difference to the way the place looks and feels.
According to a study that was recently conducted by the University of Texas, it was discovered that dull grey, white, and beige colored office spaces induce feelings of sadness and depression in women. On the other hand, it was found that men experienced similar feelings when working in orange or purple colored spaces. A number of other studies have shown that color doesn’t just affect a person’s mood; it also affects their levels of productivity. That is why it is highly recommended that you choose the right colors for your workspace, or opt to use a combination of different colors.
Understanding the Wavelength
All colors are divided by wavelengths. Colors with a lower wavelength, such as calming colors like blue or green, will help improve your focus and your efficiency. Basically, these colors will help you get more work done in a shorter period of time. These are the two most common colors found in nature, so they also invoke feelings of well-being. Simply put, if you want workers who are satisfied with their jobs and feel happy, you should consider choosing blue or green as the primary color for your office.
On the other hand, red, which is a high wavelength color, can come off as quite intense at times. It is one of the colors that really inspires passion, and can increase a person’s blood flow as well. Therefore, if there’s anything in the office that you want to draw your employees’ attention to immediately, just paint it red!
Apart from this, the mellow shade of yellow, which is viewed by many psychologists as the color of optimism, invokes feelings of freshness and renewed energy in workers. It is most commonly used in offices that deal with designers, creative professionals, and developers.
Which Color Should You Choose?
Ideally, a medley of different colors should be used in an office space. Avoid painting the walls all white, and make sure that you do not overuse any particular color. Instead, try using multiple colors around the office to create a balance. A vivid, brightly colored workspace will help increase motivation amongst workers. Moreover, colors also help lighten the mood, so if there is any sort of frustration or conflict between employees, certain colors might help allay such tensions. These are just a few important things that you should know when it comes to selecting the right colors for your office space.