Colour psychology: why colours in the workplace matter

Through our extensive experience in workplace consultancy and office design, we've observed how the strategic application of colour can significantly transform workspaces.

Far beyond visual considerations, thoughtfully selected colour schemes directly enhance employee wellbeing, boost productivity metrics, and strengthen organisational culture.

Colour is far more than decoration, it’s a powerful, non-verbal language that communicates on both conscious and subconscious levels. Employees spend approximately one-third of their lives in workplace environments, making the psychological impact of colour choices a significant factor in organisational success.

Each colour in your workplace triggers specific psychological and emotional responses. Understanding these effects allows you to strategically design spaces that support different work functions:

Blue colour psychology: the productivity enhancer

Blue environments lower heart rate and blood pressure while improving concentration. Often described as the most productive colour, blue helps achieve a balanced, calming atmosphere where employees can stay focused and efficient.

Blue is particularly effective in:

• Research areas
• Focused work zones
• Meeting rooms where clear communication is essential
• Financial or analytical departments

However, exclusively blue environments without complementary colours can potentially create feelings of coldness or detachment, moderation and thoughtful application remain key.

Red colour psychology: the energy activator

Red stimulates physical responses, increasing heart rate, blood flow, and breathing. This powerful colour promotes urgency, efficiency, and determination, making it ideal for environments that require high energy and quick decision-making.

Red should be strategically implemented in:

• Areas requiring physical activity
• Spaces for nightshift work
• High-intensity collaboration zones
• Decision-making areas like boardrooms (as accent elements)

However, overexposure to red environments can increase anxiety and potentially lead to headaches or visual fatigue. For optimal results, red should be used deliberately as an accent colour rather than a dominant element.

Implementing colours in your workplace requires a comprehensive approach that balances aesthetics with functionality:

1. Analyse work functions and needs

Before selecting colours, evaluate the specific activities performed in each area. OP’s Workplace Analysis Process (WAP) examines how your employees interact with their environment and identifies which activities need which colour psychology approaches. Analytical work and creative collaboration benefit from different colour schemes, ensuring your strategy is based on actual working patterns rather than generic design trends.

3. Apply colour strategically by area

Different workplace zones benefit from different colour applications:

• Entrance and reception areas: create positive first impressions with welcoming colours like orange or yellow, which signal approachability and optimism. These areas should reflect your brand identity while establishing the workplace culture you wish to promote.
• Primary work areas: for focused work, blues and greens promote concentration and reduce stress. In creative departments, accents of yellow can stimulate innovation without overwhelming the senses.
• Meeting and collaboration spaces: combine blue (focus) with yellow (creativity) to facilitate productive discussions that balance analytical thinking with innovative ideas.
• Breakout zones: use calming colours like green or muted purples to create genuine relaxation spaces where employees can decompress and recharge throughout the workday.
  

5. Consider light interaction

Natural and artificial lighting significantly impacts how colours are perceived. Northern light enhances blue tones, while southern exposure warms colours. When selecting your palette, test colours under the specific lighting conditions of your workplace to ensure the intended psychological effect is achieved.

As organisations embrace flexible work arrangements, colour psychology becomes even more critical in creating purposeful in office experiences that enhance collaboration and community elements often missing in remote work.

Organisations that implement thoughtfully designed colour schemes typically observe several measurable benefits:

• Improved employee satisfaction as staff feel more supported by their environment
• Reduced absenteeism through decreased workplace stress
• Enhanced productivity in appropriately color-coded functional areas
• Strengthened talent retention and attraction as the workplace becomes a competitive advantage
• Increased collaboration across departments in properly designed interactive spaces

While results may not be instantaneous, organisations typically observe positive changes in workplace dynamics within the first year of implementation, with continued benefits as colour psychology principles are refined and expanded throughout the environment.