The Surprising Effect of Color in the Office

Mandie A.
Freelancer at Amanda Design & Marketing
Published Jun 13, 2018

How do you increase productivity and mood in the

office?
Have you ever wondered whether the colors in the office space have any effect on
productivity? In fact, many big name companies employ the psychology of color in
office design in an effort to improve the moods of both workers and customers, and by
extension increase productivity and boost revenue.

This use of color in the office environment is supported by a groundbreaking study by

the University of Texas which confirmed that color does, in fact, elicit a reaction
in the brain and can subsequently affect workers’ moods and their overall productivity.

The Research Behind The Psychology of Color

Researcher Nancy Kwallek, Ph.D., led the study which examined three color schemes
in particular – white, red, and pastel blue-green – and how those different colors affect
workers in the office. The results suggest that color scheme alone may impact mood
and can also affect productivity. Though the findings also suggest that mood and
productivity were unrelated, the impact of colors was evident in the way the subjects
responded to the stimulus.

The research found no link between mood and the performance of the employee,
debunking the notion that for example, a positive mood results in higher productivity.
However, Dr. Kwallek’s research gives credence to the actions of many companies
which have been experimenting with color psychology for years, seeking to determine
how to use color to positively impact the office environment.

In an article entitled Psychology of Colors in the Workplace, Officevibe’s Jeff Fermin

notes the use of color is also a major strategy for many companies who use marketing
materials to influence customers through the company website

It explains ‘why Facebook is blue’ and why particular sites opt to choose certain colors
in designing their website. If you have the ability (and resources) to create a fresh
 atmosphere to match your company’s vibe, pick certain colors that go with your
employees,” Fermin writes.

The Power of Colors

Colors can have a profound impact on productivity by simply encouraging positive
emotions in employees. Natural-toned colors such as green and blue hues can improve
efficiency and focus, while warm yellows can trigger optimism, creativity and fresh
energy. Vivid colors like red add intensity to the décor and can inspire passion and
boost physical activity.

So what colors that promote productivity are advantageous to your business,

employees and customers? Which ones should you avoid? Let’s take a closer look:

Blue

The color blue in the office can have a very calming effect on employees and aid in
concentration, especially when workers are required to complete intricate tasks. Blue
is an excellent choice in an office where activities require detailed focus. By helping to
maintain calm, blue can also stimulate the mental process and increase worker
productivity.

White 
According to studies, white is the worst color to paint the office. White walls tend to
give off a sterile or clinical feeling, like being in a medical exam room. Research has
shown that white can hinder productivity and give off a cold and and isolated
feeling. It’s best to use white as an accent color only.

Yellow/Orange

If you want to get the creative juices flowing, choose yellow. This color is often linked
to positive emotions like happiness, optimism and excitement. Used in office décor,
yellow can help inspire employees who work in creative fields to come up with new,
innovative ideas.

Red

The color red is a vibrant color that can energize employees particularly those whose
tasks involve physical activity. Known to increase the heart rate and even produce a
slight rise in blood pressure, red can help boost the body’s ability to complete physical
tasks. Red is also very effective as a “call to action” to get customers’ attention for
marketing messages.

Green
Different shades of green can elicit both positive and negative emotions. However, in
general, the color green is usually associated with nature and rebirth. Painting the
office in a light soothing shade of green can help ease anxiety and make people feel
more relaxed and welcomed.

Consider Color Carefully

Dr. Kwallek’s study is supported by similar research into the effects of color. Dittmar
(2001) found in a large-scale study that using color names alone (blue, green, red,
yellow) resulted in significant differences in color preference with advancing age. In
another study, Edgerton, Ritchie, and McKechnie (2010) showed how color was used as
one component of the changes made in a corridor of a psychiatric hospital to reduce
the “institutional” feeling of the space and provide a “sense of nature”. In this case, the
renovation resulted in slight increase in the number of positive behaviors.

“For better or for worse, colors affect our moods, and the last thing you would want is
to work in a workplace that you absolutely dread. When coming up with a design or
an idea, take into consideration the “psychology” behind choosing that color within
your workplace. And when talking about the psychology of colors in a workplace,
make sure you’re doing “mood research” in order to find out what works,” Fermin
adds.

Take a look around the office. Are the walls dull and reminiscent of an institutional
building rather than a place of productivity? How about conducting a full-scale
assessment from the executive office to the production floor, and take into
consideration whether the company’s core activities require employees to be
innovative and creative, complete focused tasks, or to carry out physical duties. To
boost employee output, plan the color scheme for each department accordingly and
monitor mood changes to see the results.