How Color Theory in Office Design Shifts Your Mood

Nicole Neptuno
5 hours ago
5 min read

A workspace’s design plays an extremely crucial role in shaping not only the behavior, but also the emotional state and productivity of those who occupy that space. While certain elements such as lighting, acoustics, and layout are most commonly considered in office planning, color, though often overlooked, is one of the most influential environmental factors.

For decades, color has been utilized in marketing to guide or influence consumers’ perception or behavior. Green, for instance, evokes freshness and health, red creates a sense of urgency, and blue implies trust. The same principles apply to creating workspaces due to the psychological impact of certain colors. It’s a subtle but powerful tool that, when used correctly, can improve focus, creativity, and even positive energy among employees.

Understanding Color Theory in the Context of Workplace Designs

Color theory provides a foundational understanding of how people perceive and interact with color. In design, color theory refers to the relationships colors have with each other and how they affect the human eye and brain. Key components of color theory include:

Hue: The base color, such as red, blue, or green

Saturation: The intensity or vividness of a color

Brightness/Value: The degree to which a color is light or dark

Complementary Colors: Colors that are located opposite of each other on the color wheel, which in turn creates a high contrast.

Analogous Colors: Colors that sit adjacent to each other on the color wheel, which result in harmony and cohesion.

As Space Refinery (2024) explains, using these principles can aid us in the creation of aesthetically pleasing and productive environments. When applied correctly, color theory allows organizations to create spaces that are not only functional but also emotionally supportive.

Psychological Impact of Color in the Workplace

There are numerous studies that show color has a direct effect on mental processes and behavior. Specific colors have the ability to influence energy levels, mood, concentration, and even illicit physiological responses such as heart rate and blood pressure. More often than not, in office settings, color can either support or hinder the cognitive and emotional demands placed on employees. According to Vorecol (n.d.), the following psychological associations are the most commonly recognized:

Blue is often associated with tranquility, trust, and focus. It lowers stress levels and supports mental clarity, which makes it well-suited for workspaces that require high-concentration tasks
Green is naturally linked to nature and balance. It is visually restful and reduces eye fatigue, which can be particularly helpful in screen-heavy work environments.
Yellow stimulates creativity and enthusiasm among people as it is associated with the sun. Although this color should be used sparingly because excessive exposure may cause anxiety and or irritation (WB Wood, 2024)
Red increases energy and can stimulate a sense of urgency. Despite being able to enhance performance in physically active environments, it can also lead to people feeling overstimulated, especially in spaces that require sustained focus.
Neutral tones such as gray, beige, and white suggest simplicity and cleanliness but can also lead to disengagement if used excessively without any texture or variation.
Dark colors such as black or even deep navy can convey a more sophisticated environment, but often make spaces feel smaller and less inviting.

As Space Refinery (2024) notes, the effectiveness of a color entirely depends on the context in which it is used, which includes the lighting conditions and, of course, the psychological needs of the occupants.

How to Strategically Use Colors Across Office Areas

Different areas within an office serve distinct purposes and should be colored accordingly in order to support their function and atmosphere.

Reception areas are important because they set the tone for visitors and staff. It is usually the first area people come across in an office, so having calming, welcoming colors such as soft blues, greens, or even warm neutrals can create a professional atmosphere yet still maintain an approachable ambiance (WB Wood, 2024).
Meeting rooms are usually intended for presentations, important decision-making, and collaboration, so spaces like this would benefit from colors that promote calm and clear thinking, such as light gray, blue, or sage.
Workstations often require sustained concentration, so colors such as blue and green tones can support alertness and even reduce fatigue (Vorecol, n.d.).
Breakrooms encourage relaxation and social interactions. Vibrant colors like orange or yellow can stimulate energy and positivity, which makes them ideal for less formal settings such as this one (Space Refinery, 2024).

Additionally, color is also widely used for wayfinding and zoning within office environments. Wayfinding applications include color-coded paths in either flooring or walls that can help distinguish areas, landmark elements such as elevators or stairwells that are painted in contrasting colors, and signage that uses color for room labels and directional signs. For zoning, colors can be used to differentiate departments or define activity-based zones, which overall helps improve clarity and navigation across the workspace.

As Vorecol (n.d) highlights, applying color with intention in each area of a workspace greatly contributes to a cohesive and psychologically supportive environment.

Practical Guidelines for Applying Color in Office Design

Applying color in office design, as mentioned, requires intention and a research-informed approach that considers the culture and operational needs of the organization. Before selecting a color palette, it is important to define the atmosphere that the organization aims to cultivate. This initial version should not only align with the brand identity, but also with the nature of the work performed in that space.

Consulting with employees during the design process can also ensure that the occupants resonate with their workspace, which provides a sense of inclusion and a shared understanding between the company’s employees.

In implementing colors, designers should always consider layered applications that not only integrate the color through the walls but also the furniture, decor, and lighting. All of these factors play a role in how colors are perceived, so it’s important to test various combinations before making any final decisions. Applying this approach allows depth, variety, and even a higher chance of adaptability.

Finally, office design should remain flexible and responsive to the ever-evolving needs of the organization. Color schemes should be revisited periodically to ensure they continue to support the well-being of the occupants and the organization’s goals.

Color theory comes in handy when you’re deciding the intention behind a space, what message you want to deliver, and the type of work environment you’ll provide for your employees. Adding the right colors to your workspace is important because different colors evoke different emotions and energies. The kind of ambience your office has will shift the behavior of employees, prompting them to become more focused, creative, positive, and productive.

Invite a hue that inspires your office and contact Neptel Design + Build, a general contractor and design firm in the Philippines specializing in office renovations, interior fit-outs, and more.

References

Aseeri, R. (2024, April 14). My office before & after: does it matter? https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/my-office-before-after-does-matter-raif-aseeri-5zqgf/

vorecol.com. (n.d.). How does office color psychology influence employee productivity and wellbeing?". https://vorecol.com/blogs/blog-how-does-office-color-psychology-influence-employee-productivity-and-wellbeing-207664

Office Color Psychology. (2024, September 4). WB Wood. https://wbwood.com/2023/01/31/office-color-psychology/

Space Refinery. (2024, April 30). Color psychology: How to choose the right colors for your workspace. https://www.spacerefinery.com/blog/colors-psychology-guide