Colour conscious

In edition 17 Maria Matthews introduced us to the world of colour and how it can be a minefield. Considering the importance colour plays in all aspects of our lives, not only in interior design, Business Matters has revisited the issue of colour from a different perspective-psychology.

Believe it or not different shades have the power to shape our mood and dictate our energy levels. Armed with this article take a look around your office and use the colour guide provided to ‘shrink’ your workplace.

All of us can appreciate the beauty of a well decorated office, although most people have not considered the influence colour has on our daily lives. The psychology of colour affects staff and clients by eliciting specific responses as well as impacting upon mood and energy levels. For example painting the town red may not be advisable according to design experts, unless your aim is to have a lot of angry customers.

Before you rush off and paint every room in the office your favorite shade, consider the mood you would like each room to have and what atmosphere would you like instill upon clients and staff. An office space can appear larger or smaller depending on the colour scheme. Cooler tones on the walls make the ceiling seem higher giving the room an airy expansive feeling, whilst warm shades on walls and ceilings cause the room to appear smaller, evoking a cozy, intimate atmosphere.

Aesthetic appeal is not the only element to mull over; colours influence your staff and clients in many ways according to age, gender ethnic background or local climate. To achieve separate reactions from your staff and clients differentiate between meeting areas and work spaces.

Business Matters has conducted research to help Sunshine Coast business owners incorporate the correct colour scheme into their workplace. The guide below explains the psychology of each colour and will aid you in choosing the right shade for each room in the office to elicit the response you want.                                      

Still have no idea?

Here are some helpful websites that provide further information. Local colour consultants will also provide you with in-depth knowledge of the field.
•    www.freshome.com
•    www.paintquality.com
•    www.psychologypower.com
                                           
Warm colours-
Colours such a red, orange and yellow fall into this category as they bring to mind images associated with heat such as fire or sunshine, causing us to feel psychologically warm. These colours advance causing small rooms to appear smaller and larger rooms more intimate.

Red-
Red is shown to raise blood pressure, speed heart rates and pump adrenaline. The colour provides a sense of intimacy, draws people together and stimulates conversation. There is a significant cultural conditioning with red associating anger and danger to the colour. Red is not recommended for work spaces as it breaks down peace and harmony making people irritable. However it is a great colour for a reception or entryway, creating a strong first impression on clients. Darker versions of the colour appear intense, powerful and elegant.

Orange-
Orange warms the office like red although it is more friendly than fiery and welcoming as opposed to aggressive. This colour generates excitement and enthusiasm by raising energy levels perfect for the workplace. As orange lacks the intensity of red it is better suited to a work environment spurring staff onwards.

Yellow-
This colour is attention grabbing and eye catching hence the use of yellow highlighters in the office. However strong shades can be fatiguing on the eyes, as a result it should not be used as a main colour in the workplace. Uplifting and welcoming yellow is great for entrances and hallways. In poorly lit corners of the office, yellow brightens the room radiating happiness uplifting the moods of employees and customers.

Cool colours-
Cool colours inspire feelings of tranquility and peace aiding in relaxation. The calming hues of blue, green and purple have the opposite effect of warm colours as they recede causing the room to appear larger. These tones can make the office feel colder and should not be used in dimly lit hallways. This end of the colour spectrum is best used in bright sections of the workplace where sunny glare needs to be counteracted.

Green-
Relieves stress and is the most restful colour for the eye causing green to be well suited to work environments. This shade is from the cool colour palette although it encompasses both the warmth of yellow and the peacefulness of blue providing the best of both worlds. Consider this hue for the boardroom as it symbolizes growth and promotes unity.

Blue-
Blue evokes trust and is calming as well as serene; this colour is perfect for spaces such as the waiting area or meeting room where clients will spend much of their time. This colour slows respiration and blood pressure inspiring tranquility and instilling confidence in people. If used in a room lacking light, blue often becomes chilly, although this can be avoided by choosing warm hues in furnishings and carpets. Darker shades can evoke feelings of sadness so steer clear of deep blues in your offices main colour scheme.

Purple-
This colour promotes creativity and is well suited to workspaces having a positive effect on staff.  It is sophisticated and dramatic causing this tone to be perfect as an accent or secondary colour providing depth to the office. Lighter shades incorporate the calming effect of blue without the chill factor.

Neutrals-
Neutrals should be used as a complimenting anchor for the brighter, bolder hues in your offices colour scheme. By breaking up the intensity of other tones you can create balance in the workplace. White, black and brown promote stability and encourages reliability.

Black-
It is strongly recommended that this colour be used sparingly throughout the office. This shade can cause tension and affect employees and clients negatively by making them feel harassed or overworked. Depending on an individual’s life conditioning, black can mean mistrust, mourning and pain. In contrast when used in moderation black can promote a sense of style and sophistication as well as power and respect.

White-
White symbolises trust and cleanliness and is associated with purity and integrity in many cultures. This colour is good to use within the office as it creates balance and ties all other colours together. However this shade also implies coldness and sterility so it should be used hand in hand with bolder tones.

Brown-
Promotes feelings of reliability and genuineness, it is a solid colour that can also been perceived as sad or reflective. This colour causes people to become relaxed and approachable so it is a good idea to include brown in your office colour scheme.

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