Choosing the right colors for your workspace can have a big impact on productivity, focus, creativity, and mental wellbeing. The colors around us subconsciously influence our mood, energy levels, and cognitive performance. With people spending more and more time working from home or in shared office environments, being intentional with color choices is becoming increasingly important.
In this article, we’ll explore how color affects us psychologically and physiologically. We’ll look at the science behind how different hues impact work performance. Then we’ll review the best and worst colors for productivity based on research and expert input. We’ll also provide tips on incorporating productive colors into your home or office.
How Does Color Impact Productivity?
The effect of color on mood and mental performance stems from how our brains process visual information. When light enters our eyes, it triggers chemical reactions in our brains that lead to emotional and behavioral responses. These responses happen automatically without us realizing it.
Seeing different colors causes our brains to release varying levels of neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline. This affects our emotions, energy levels, alertness, and focus. Here’s a brief overview of what the research says about how common colors impact us:
- Red – Associated with excitement, strength, and stimulation. Red boosts metabolism, blood pressure, respiration, and heart rate. It’s effective at grabbing attention but can also cause anxiety. Red is best used sparingly in workspaces.
- Orange – Uplifting, optimistic, and youthful. Orange stimulates mental activity and socialization. It helps with creativity but can be overstimulating in large doses.
- Yellow – Energizing and enhances focus, especially on detailed tasks. Brighter yellows promote optimism. Pale yellows work well for general workspace walls. Dark yellows can cause eye fatigue.
- Green – Calming and refreshing color that relieves anxiety. Green aids concentration and productivity with less strain. Dark greens are cozy while light greens are crisp.
- Blue – Intellectually stimulating color that slows metabolism and heart rate. Deeper blues are relaxing. Lighter blues boost concentration. Avoid using too much blue or it may feel cold.
- Purple – Inspires creativity and imagination. Lighter purples calm the mind while darker shades feel luxurious. Purple can improve problem-solving but may be overstimulating.
Best Colors for Work Productivity
Now that we understand how different colors impact mood and thinking, what specific hues are best for working efficiently? Here are the top colors for boosting workplace productivity based on interior design guidance and color psychology:
Green
Green is overwhelmingly considered one of the best colors for workplaces. The color green relieves stress and eyestrain while enhancing focus and productivity. Research shows that spending time in natural green environments improves attention span and working memory performance. Green office walls and decor boost employee morale and concentration while reducing absenteeism.
Green also signifies growth and new beginnings, giving employees a sense of renewal. Minty greens are invigorating while forest greens feel stabilizing. Avoid using too stark or bright of a green or it may cause overstimulation.
Blue
Cool blue tones are ideal for productive workspaces. Blue is calming and triggers the release of serotonin which improves concentration and feelings of wellbeing. Lighter blues work well for walls and decor. Use deeper navies and cobalt blues sparingly as accents since they are more mentally stimulating.
Blue also boosts efficiency for detail-oriented work. Research indicates that people are more productive in blue rooms versus red rooms. Blue helps with focus and accuracy on analytical and technical tasks. Just avoid going overboard with blue or the workspace may start to feel cold.
Yellow
Bright yellows instantly boost mood and energy. Yellow stimulates the release of serotonin and dopamine, reducing fatigue and improving motivation. Pale yellows work nicely as an upbeat wall color. Use vibrant yellow accents strategically when you need an energizing burst of color.
Yellow also enhances concentration which is helpful during long workdays. One study found that yellow walls improved workplace errors by 44% compared to white walls. Avoid bold yellows though as they can be overstimulating.
Purple
Purple is the color of creativity and imagination. Lighter lilacs and lavenders are soothing tones perfect for reducing anxiety. Use deep plums and violets sparingly to inspire original thinking. Add purple accessories or wall art to stimulate right-brained activity.
Consider painting meeting rooms or break areas a light purple hue. The color purple encourages empathy and compassion which is helpful for group work and collaboration. Just avoid using too much purple or it may feel overwhelming.
Worst Colors for Workspaces
On the other end of the spectrum, certain colors are considered unproductive for office environments. Here are the worst choices for workspace walls and decor:
Red
Red is the color of urgency and excitement. It elevates heart rate and triggers fight or flight responses. While red works well for high-energy environments like gyms, it’s too stimulating for work. Red walls cause anxiety, impatience, and frustration which diminishes focus.
Bright reds also strain the eyes. Reserve this bold hue for accent details and use neutral tones for major wall colors. Red is effective for workplace break rooms where you want employees to socialize and reenergize.
Orange
Orange promotes socialization and creativity. In small doses, it provides energy and enhances mood. But too much orange quickly becomes overstimulating. As a bold accent color, orange is uplifting. But for office walls, muted earthy oranges are warmer and more relaxing than bright citrus tones.
Brown
Brown is associated with stability and nature but also elicits feelings of sadness. While light cappuccinos work well for open offices, darker browns make spaces feel confined and heavy. Wood accents add warmth but brown walls feel too neutral and impersonal for productivity.
Browns don’t stimulate mental activity or energize employees like brighter colors do. If using brown, opt for lighter natural tones rather than deep cocoa hues for workspace walls.
Tips for Using Color to Enhance Productivity
Here are some top tips for optimizing workspace color to boost productivity:
- Choose cool green, calming blue, or pale yellow walls for main open office areas.
- Paint break rooms and meeting spaces energizing yellow or relaxing purple.
- Use neutral off-whites or pale blues for trim/ceilings so walls stand out.
- Add pops of orange, red, or yellow as energizing accents.
- Incorporate green and blue decor like plants, pillows, or art.
- Allow remote employees to choose their own wall colors.
- Use bright task lighting to balance muted wall colors.
- Avoid large amounts of red, brown, or neon colors.
- Enable natural light and views of nature wherever possible.
- Provide a color break by adding a bold wall mural or art piece.
Pay attention to how colors make you feel and aim for hues that soothe, energize, or inspire you. While personal preferences differ, the research strongly supports using green, blue, yellow, and purple tones in workspaces for enhanced productivity and wellbeing.
Conclusion
Color selection plays a key role in workplace performance and satisfaction. The right colors stimulate productivity, accuracy, and creativity while the wrong colors can have the opposite effect. Cooler greens, blues, and purples create a relaxing yet focused environment. Warmer yellows provide energizing yet not overbearing stimulation. By thoughtfully incorporating the best colors and avoiding the worst, you can design a workspace optimized for employee efficiency, mental clarity, and overall wellbeing.
