There is nothing like a fresh coat of paint to liven up a space. But before you pull out your corporate paint swatch—you know, the one that you’ve been referring to and coloring your space with for 10+ years—consider breathing new life into your workspace by applying color psychology to your walls.
“Color theory, color psychology—I didn’t go to art school, why should I care?” says the leader with much to learn.
In the workplace, color psychology can be applied to curate productivity and foster employee wellbeing. While there are 4+ year college programs dedicated to learning color theory and psychology, we’ll keep it short and sweet: Color psychology explains the innate meaning of color and its effect on the beholder.
Every hue, tint and shade of color triggers specific moods and behaviors in people upon observance. Color-induced moods vary in intensity between observers and are influenced by a person’s cultural background. Understanding how color affects individuals is crucial in stimulating appropriate moods in employees to best facilitate their work. Color can also be curated to illustrate your brand in the physical workplace, creating an experience for team members and consumers.
“Interesting. So, how do our gray walls make people feel?” the leader ponders.
We’re so glad you asked! Gray, beige and other neutral tones are perceived as formal, quiet and practical. These hues encourage relaxation in employees, giving fatigued eyes a place to rest and refocus on the task at hand. Neutral tones complement and rejuvenate adjacent accent colors, so a variety of hues and values could work well in your environment!
See the graphic below for the effects of other basic hues in the workplace. Click to enlarge.
Every color, or hue, has a wide range of values, each invoking a different emotion in people. For example, light sky blue is a tint of the blue hue and can be used to stimulate precision and productivity. Dark royal blue is a shade of blue and encourages relaxation and calmness in employees. With a large spectrum of values for each hue, your workplace can have a unique, varied color palette tailored to your employee needs.
In addition to a spectrum of hues and values achieved with paint, wall covering materials such as vinyl and wood offer a breadth of texture, dimension and patterned options. Using a combination of colors, textures, and patterns adds visual interest in the workplace. These elements can visually divide spaces and better define workflow within a facility.
“This is compelling, but we’ve used the same workplace colors since our inception, we can’t just change that on a whim,” stresses the leader.
We agree! But think of the workplace as a three-dimensional canvas for which to express your brand. It takes time and coordination to develop a branded color palette that captures a company persona. It is not advised to choose a color just for the sake of switching things up; take time to consider if and how your brand is illustrated within your workplace.
Refreshed, branded spaces appeal to consumers. With ever-growing competition for customer attention, a branded workspace encourages consumers (and employees!) to identify with a company and form an emotional connection. When customers and prospects enter your facility, your space should emanate your brand and exhibit your unique selling proposition—i.e., why they should choose you! Don’t just offer customers a service or product; give them an experience.
“And this all comes from curating color, pattern and texture? I want to get started!” the leader concludes.
For leaders, it can be intimidating when determining the most suitable color palette for a single space, let alone an entire workplace—inside and out. You’re not in this alone, though. Our team of Creative experts is here to help in every step of the process.
Our design educated and NCIDQ certified professionals are trained in color psychology and will create a custom solution to incorporate the latest materials, design trends and workplace research into your project. Our on-staff craftsmen painters follow suit by applying their vast knowledge of materials and techniques to finish your space. The final result: an exceptional finished product that leaves lasting impressions.
To learn more about using your workplace as an extension of your brand, read our blog Delivering a Brand Experience in the Workplace.
Sources:
Wall Color Effect on Employees – Flora Richard-Gustafson, Chron
The Importance of Color in the Workplace – Udo Schliemann, WorkDesign Magazine
How to Use Color Psychology in the Workplace – Lewis Edward, Return Customer