For decades, the default color scheme for most workplaces has been neutral tones: gray, black, white, cream, tan, brown. Creative industries have been more willing to embrace the brighter side of the color spectrum, but most businesses tend to stick with more muted shades. While we love our neutrals here at Fríant, we also feel that it’s time for workplaces, regardless of industry, to step out of their comfort zones and bring a little color into their worlds. In fact, the benefit of introducing rich hues into the office goes beyond just being aesthetically pleasing — certain colors can actually have positive psychological effects on employees.
While color can be daunting for many, we’re here with suggestions on how to easily brighten up your office, whether you only want a couple of accent pieces or are ready to jump into the deep end of the pool and go all-in with it. We’ll also recommend colors that have a positive impact on employee mindset and productivity and that most people will enjoy being around.
True Blue
Whether it’s the lull of the sea or the clarity of a cloudless sky, blue is a popular color — the most popular color globally — that evokes feelings of serenity among many. It’s also got some great perks when used in the workplace, including increasing employee productivity and signaling business stability and reliability. So how can you bring on the blues (in a good way) into your office?
Accent seating is quick and simple; try creating a lounge corner with two blue chairs to encourage great conversation among staff. If you love color on color, go with an accent wall and a matching loveseat or couch to tie it all together. Lining the inside of acoustic/privacy booths with blue can enhance feelings of calmness and serenity while employees spend time in them, possibly helping to increase focus and productivity.
Going Green
There’s a lot of talk of going green these days, so why not do so in your office space? There are a lot of great reasons to introduce this fresh hue into the work environment. Green has been found to be the highly-motivating color of choice for people with a high need for achievement. The verdant shade has also been shown to inspire creativity and put people at ease in new places (perfect for helping new teammates settle in).
Ready to add some green to your space? Consider peppering green seating around the office, from couches and accent chairs to stools in fun, nature-inspired shapes. Privacy panels at shared desks can also be a great way to add some green directly into one’s line of vision while making the space feel a little more personal.
Mellow Yellow
Pops of yellow are perfect for brightening up a space or being an accent color against neutrals, especially dove gray, cream, and tan. Employees love it too; yellow doesn’t just generate feelings of happiness and optimism, it also encourages teamwork and boosts creativity and motivation. However, too much yellow can cause eyestrain and frustration, so using it in moderation may be the best choice (emphasis on “may” — your workspace is yours to mold!).
To bring some sunshine indoors, add yellow accent chairs and sofas to rooms that are otherwise outfitted in neutral tones. However, if you’re feeling bold, try yellow chairs in a room with a matching accent wall and otherwise neutral decor. Try it in a meeting room or communal space to encourage collaboration among your team!
Seeing Red
Red can be a tricky color for many people. Often linked to strong (and sometimes negative) emotions, workplaces are often hesitant to introduce it into their environments or are intimidated by its intensity. We might be just a bit biased, but we love red at Fríant and think it can be incorporated in creative ways. Plus, red is found to be energizing, stimulates thinking, and introduces warmth, which can be beneficial for driving activity and socialization among your team.
No need to shy from this bold color, even if you keep its inclusion in your design somewhat minimal. Try it in a unique application, like footstools and seating in unconventional shapes, styles, and sizes, or keep it subtle with desk chairs with red cushions. Accent chairs in red paired with neutrals, like dove gray, cream, or ivory, can help balance out the intensity.
Orange Crush
“Bold” is the name of the game in office design right now, but the use of eye-catching shades of creamsicle, mandarin, and more isn’t just about being bold for bold’s sake. Orange is considered a social color that can improve teamwork, collaboration, and communication at work and evokes feelings of cheerfulness. Like red, it can be a bit overwhelming if used with a heavy hand, but again, you know your workplace better than anyone else and should make the final call on how much of the color you want to surround yourself (and everyone else) with.
That said, for the adventurous among you, try a panel system in a vibrant shade of orange, offset by blue seating. Whether it’s every panel system in the office, every other, or just a few here and there, your workspace won’t lack in vibrancy once they’re in place. For those not quite so willing to commit to that much color, stick with accent seating placed around the office.
However you decide to proceed with designing your ideal workspace, just remember: don’t be afraid of color! It can be as vibrant or subdued as you want it to be. Need help getting started? Reach out to us today — we’d love to lend a hand in bringing some new shades into your world and recommending the right Fríant pieces to do it.
