Color psychology has proven that we are affected by the colors that surround us. For years, people have taken to painting their bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchens with colors that will invoke certain feelings in each space.
But what about offices? Can choosing your office paint colors based on their emotional influence really make your employees feel calmer, more creative, or even more productive?
In this article, we will discuss a range of colors that each have their own psychological effects on employees. We also provide a few examples of each color to help you understand the nuances between different paint colors and shades.
If you need a professional hand in choosing the perfect paint color for your office, Pizzazz Painting can help. We are the premier commercial painting contractors in South Jersey and have over 25 years of experience helping businesses find the perfect color for their commercial property.
We offer free professional color consultations to all of our customers. If your office is in need of a refresh that will boost productivity and company morale, Call Pizzazz Painting today at (609)-702-8200 to schedule your free color consultation
Do Colors Raise Productivity?
It has been proven through color psychology that certain shades can have a profound effect on workplace productivity. If you want to inspire your employees to feel more creative, focused, or balanced, it really can be as simple as repainting your office space.
What Colors Create What Effects?
The color you choose for your commercial space will depend on the kind of work environment you want to embody. Creating a space that is calming and creative will require different colors than an office that wants to invoke a sense of urgency and fast-paced energy. Below, you will find 11 examples of different colors that will have unique effects on your employees.
Blue Imbues Efficiency
Blue is often said to be the most popular color in the workplace, as it invokes a sense of both efficiency and well-being. When choosing the right shade of blue, you must be careful not to pick something that is too dreary or cool-toned, as it could come across as making your office feel cold or uninviting.
Blue Color Example 1: “Breath of Fresh Air”, 806, Benjamin Moore
Blue Color Example 2: “Surf City”, 731, Benjamin Moore
Gray Influences Order, No-nonsense
Pale gray, beige, and other neutral colors create a sense of balance and focus in the workplace. It keeps your employees from getting distracted and blends in easily with office furniture and other decorations. Similar to blue, try to find a warm-toned gray to prevent the office from feeling dreary or cold.
Grey Color Example 1: “Northern Cliffs”, 1536, Benjamin Moore
Grey Color Example 2: “Barren Plain”, 2111-60, Benjamin Moore
Green Inspires Balance
Green is often seen as being harmonious and having a calming effect in office spaces, as it is associated with the outdoors and nature. Additionally, green causes less eye fatigue than primary colors, making it beneficial for employees who may suffer from eye strain after looking at computer screens for long periods of time.
Green Color Example 1: “O’Reilly Green”, 555, Benjamin Moore
Grey Color Example 2: “Central Park”, 431, Benjamin Moore
Yellow Implies Creativity
Yellow is a playful shade that gets the creative juices flowing. It can be great for collaborative spaces, boosting memory retention and even happiness in the workplace. To prevent eye strain in the office, try using yellow as an accent wall color or find ways to incorporate it into your furniture or interior design.
Yellow Color Example 1: “Good Vibrations”, 296, Benjamin Moore
Yellow Color Example 2: “Yellow Finch”, 2024-40, Benjamin Moore
White Incites Cleanliness, Order
White is a popular choice for medical offices and lobbies, as it invokes a sense of order and cleanliness. There is a wide range of paint colors you can choose from for white, from clean, crisp, bright white to warm-toned ivory.
White Color Example 1: “Alabaster”, SW 7008, Sherwin Williams
White Color Example 2: “Chantilly Lace”, OC-65, Benjamin Moore
Red Implores Urgency
Red is a stimulating color that has been proven to promote energy and action and can even increase blood flow. Like yellow, red may be best used as an accent color because while it can invoke a sense of urgency and productivity, too much of the color red can increase stress levels and lead to eye strain.
Red Color Example 1: “Tanager”, SW6601, Sherwin Williams
How To Pick the Right Colors
Choosing the right office paint colors can be a difficult task, especially when trying to coordinate them with your existing furniture and decor. There is a lot to consider when picking the right paint color, including color psychology, the size of your space, and the lighting in your office.
Follow the Lighting
The lighting in your office can also have an impact on the productivity levels of your employees and can also affect the appearance of your paint. If you have cool, fluorescent lighting like many offices do, you may want to choose cooler colors such as blue, green, or gray. Mixing warm paint colors with cool lighting and vice versa can make the space feel too dark or too bright.
Pizzazz Painting’s Color Consultation
Pizzazz Painting’s free color consultations will take into consideration the style, lighting, and decor of your office. We provide interior and exterior commercial painting services to inspire productivity from the minute your employees get to your office.
We’ll provide a color plan or color map based on your preferences that highlight the brand, color, and finish of your paint choices. With years of experience and education in color coordination, we’ll help you find the perfect color for your business. To learn more or schedule a free color consultation, Call Pizzazz Painting today at (609)-702-8200.
