The importance of colour

 
As anyone who has worked in a relentlessly grey office environment will tell you, the colour scheme of one’s surroundings can have a huge impact on productivity and wellbeing. Indeed, colours can affect how we perceive and interact with our immediate environment, so it is important that business owners and managers understand how the colour scheme of an office can affect both employees and customers.

According to recent research into the psychology of branding, the average customer bases between 62‐90% of their judgement of brands and products on colour alone, demonstrating that the various tones and shades we encounter every day can dramatically influence our modes of thought.
 

What exactly is colour psychology?

 
Colour psychology explores the ways in which certain colours can affect our subconscious behaviours, emotions, and states of being. Within the context of the office, this practice may prove useful when it comes to improving productivity, wellbeing and relationships between employees.

So which colours should you be incorporating into your office environment? According to the discipline of colour psychology, that depends on the kinds of feelings and motivations you are hoping to inspire in people.
 

White

 
White is associated with cleanliness and purity. In this way, it may be good to incorporate in employee break-out areas for those who would like a few moments of peace in the middle of a hectic day.
 

Purple

Purple is traditionally associated with ambition, luxury and success, making it the perfect colour for companies on a mission to boost their profits.
 

Blue

 
Blue is linked to notions surrounding stability and reliability, as well as instilling feelings of trust within people. This makes it a great colour for meeting rooms or interview spaces as it will help visitors to feel calm and safe.
 

Black

 
Black is a tricky colour to incorporate in an office, as it has the potential to be read as sinister or hostile. If you manage to balance it out with other light colours, however, black can make your space appear chic, elegant and high-end – perfect if you own a luxury brand or want to impress clients.
 

Yellow

 
It may not be to everyone’s tastes, but yellow is said to inspire feelings of joy and creativity in workers. This could prove very useful for businesses within the creative industries.
 

Red

 
Red is a colour said to increase one’s mental energy flows and commitment. This could be useful if you want to motivate employees, although it is important to note that red can also be a little overpowering for the senses. In this way, you may want to invest in pieces of red office furniture rather than cover entire walls in the colour.
 

Green

 
Using strong green colours helps to promote a calming and harmonious effect, as green is a natural colour which is present within nature and promotes feelings of renewal and life, while adding a sense of balance and safety to promote productive working.