Why colours matter in the workspace

Why colours matter in the workspace – tl;dr

• Colour psychology explores the complex relationship between colours and their diverse effects on people. Scientifically, each colour represents a measurable frequency, which means it can exert a measurable influence. For instance, red typically stimulates, while blue has the opposite, calming effect. Yellow can enhance creativity, while grey conveys a message of professionalism, thereby helping foster trust in clients. And these examples are just a tiny fraction of what colours can do.

• Given that humans are sensory beings, the selection of appropriate colours in the workspace is essential. Upon entering a space, we immediately notice and process the colours within it, which shapes our initial impression. For instance, white rooms may induce fatigue, impeding performance, while blue is known to boost employee productivity.

• Our hushFree collection of Class A work and team meeting booths offers interior upholstery panels available in a wide range of amazing colours. Equipped with customisable lighting and ventilation, the hushFree booth can meet each user’s individual needs, which makes it an excellent workspace for focused work in the office.

Colour psychology. Various hues affect us differently.

Colour psychology delves into the impact of colours on human behaviour, emotional state, and cognitive processes. This field draws on neuroscience, design, marketing, and aesthetics in order to provide a comprehensive answer to how various hues affect people. In short, it’s a study of the stunning realm of colours.

In marketing, colours are strategically used to influence consumer behaviour. Design professionals, such as architects and planners, use their expert understanding of how colours affect people to create environments conducive to well-being and focus. There are even colour temperatures that may influence people’s physiological responses, enabling the design of healing spaces for patients in healthcare environments. When it comes to school design, colours may significantly influence educational outcomes, affecting students’ concentration, motivation, and cognition. As you mindfully navigate through your day, you can notice and appreciate the immediate and powerful impact of colours on your life. Whether it’s a blazing red desk divider causing a headache, or a muted celadon wall fostering a relaxing atmosphere, colours are a vital part of our everyday lives

– says Mateusz Barczyk, Senior Brand Manager, Hushoffice.

Colours bring a unique blend of psychological and physiological elements into play.

Firstly, they have the potential to evoke various emotions and associations depending on learned cultural meanings. Secondly, colours affect arousal levels by stimulating the activity of the sympathetic or parasympathetic nervous system. When skilfully combined, colours can introduce harmony or discordance to a space, shaping mood through visual proportion and contrast.

Colours can speak louder (and faster) than words.

People unconsciously evaluate their surroundings within 90 seconds of entering a space with as much as 62%-90% of this assessment based on colours. Indeed, it’s colours that our brain notices first upon entering the workspace. Thus, we perceive the world through hues, along with the cues and messages they convey.

Each colour is characterised by its own wavelength and vibration.

Indeed, these measurable wavelengths produce electrical signals that affect both our bodies and minds. Therefore, the mere presence of a colour may influence our cognitive processes and emotions, affecting neural pathways or triggering a biochemical reaction.

There are many reasons why colour choices in the workplace matter.

Colours influence employees’ cognitive processes, enhancing or exacerbating the team’s attitude towards a particular task. They can boost or worsen the group’s overall sense of well-being and, most importantly, they can affect the ease of navigating the office space.

• Productivity. Working in an environment dominated by red can enhance focus on Cartesian thought processes, while blue is a more suitable choice to boost creativity. With an attentive and open attitude, you can introduce certain hues to provide employees with spaces conducive to the focus they need to carry out specific tasks. 

• Mood. Tones can literally set the tone for workplace tasks. For example, blue has frequently been associated with tranquillity. In fact, cool colours like blue, purple, or grey tend to stimulate our parasympathetic nervous system. Therefore, the calming influence of blue can be utilised in the workplace to encourage our “rest and digest” response, ultimately leading to lowered blood pressure and heart rate. Consequently, employees feel calmer and more relaxed.

• Branding. Colours have the potential to significantly influence and strengthen a company’s image. To convey a sense of professionalism and reliability, you can introduce shades of grey into visitor areas, while using sunny yellow for meeting hubs can demonstrate a company’s commitment to workers’ well-being.

• Wayfinding. Employing colours to divide the workspace into distinct areas can aid in navigating the office space. This aspect is especially significant for neurodivergent workers, minimising tension, confusion, and overstimulation typical of chaotic setups. To create an intuitive, easy-to-navigate office space for employees, consider following the “yellow brick road” of universal office design and strategically incorporate appropriate colours throughout the workspace.

• Well-being. Proven to minimise aggressive behaviour, pink is the go-to colour if you want to offer your employees a calming environment, ensuring a stable and peaceful frame of mind. Additionally, colour therapy and the use of colours for healing purposes is an established practice! To enhance your employees’ overall well-being and leverage the proven benefits of stress relief and anxiety reduction, survey your workers to determine which colours they find most calming.

Colour can be a relief for sore eyes, or it can be an eyesore, influencing employees’ mood. The upholstery of hushFree.M, a 4-person meeting booth, is available in a selection of colours.

Colours possess a unique ability to shape the atmosphere of the office because, unlike words, they are tangible. Once noticed, they exert a physical impact on both our body and mind. Each colour is a different frequency, capable of bypassing our complex cognitive processes through its direct, visceral impact. And, unlike verbal commitments that require time to address your employees’ work-life balance, painting a single wall stunning royal blue is an instant change, instilling calmness into the working environment

– explains Mateusz Barczyk, Senior Brand Manager, Hushoffice.

Creativity time. The upholstery colour palette in the hushFree pod is spot-on.

Whenever you look around, you can experience colours and their undeniable impact. And it’s not merely a background detail, it’s a powerful communicator. Colours transcend spoken language, influencing our thoughts and emotions via sensory stimuli. Let’s explore the available colour selection for our hushFree pod collection.

In general, yellow and red are excellent choices for dynamic teamwork. However, if you prefer a more relaxing, stress-reducing environment, go for more subdued colours, such as blue or green, carrying a subtle energy while providing a sense of grounding. For individual, focused work, consider a warm and vibrant orange that doesn’t overwhelm, making it an ideal choice for your workers

– adds Mateusz Barczyk, Senior Brand Manager, Hushoffice.

Grey. The colour of professionalism in business.

Positioned midway between the two extremes: white and black, grey is neutral. It lacks any typically emotional connotations, and its impartial nature adds sophistication while highlighting the intellect. Commonly linked with modernity and technological advancement, grey makes a perfect choice for professional-looking meeting areas, such as hushFree.L

Beige. Biophilic and eye-friendly.

Softer and more welcoming than white, beige unquestionably deserves its popularity. While the name originates from the French word denoting natural wool, the colour itself has an organic essence. Often referred to as bland, it can actually work wonders whenever you are in need of a calm, relaxing workspace, such as hushFree.S.

Orange. Warm, homely, and energetic.

In general, warm colours like orange have been shown to enhance attentiveness to learning materials compared to cooler hues. This makes orange a perfect choice for spaces where in-depth presentations are often held.

Red. Energising and intense.

Often associated with power, red is an energising colour, perfect for dynamic workspaces. Moreover, red can help enhance performance on tasks requiring close attention to detail. Considering these factors, red seems to be an optimal choice for benching stations or team booths, such as hushFree.M, as well as other areas where energetic teamwork is essential.

Blue. The colour to depend on.

Indeed, blue might be the ultimate choice if achieving harmonious focus is essential.  It particularly benefits fast-paced performers by providing a calming environment conducive to focus. Blue makes a smart choice for private work booths, such as hushFree.S.

Yellow. Sunny and likeable.

Think of sunshine and happiness – yellow is the colour of enthusiasm, fostering openness and effective teamwork. Its bright, cheerful nature is ideal for collaborative areas within the office, adding a ray of sunshine to spaces like a cafe or a relaxation area, such as hushFree.L.

Green. The healing power of nature.

Merely gazing at green improves our concentration. Evoking thoughts of nature, it belongs to one of the most rejuvenating colours to introduce in the office. It can ignite creativity and bring balance into the workspace. Moreover, green is frequently linked with broader thinking and associated with revival.

HushFree booths: your personalised environment for a variety of tasks.

HushFree booths are equipped with customisable lighting and ventilation, enabling you to tailor their interiors to your preferences. Their top-notch upholstery comes in 8 high-quality colours. When you step into a hushFree booth, you enter the most optimal and comfortable environment, perfectly suited for your tasks at hand.

Why colours matter in the workspace – summary

• Colour psychology explores the complex relationship between colours and their diverse effects on people. Scientifically, each colour represents a measurable frequency, which means it can exert a measurable influence. For instance, red typically stimulates, while blue has the opposite, calming effect. Yellow can enhance creativity, while grey conveys a message of professionalism, thereby helping foster trust in clients. And these examples are just a tiny fraction of what colours can do.

• Given that humans are sensory beings, the selection of appropriate colours in the workspace is essential. Upon entering a space, we immediately notice and process the colours within it, which shapes our initial impression. For instance, white rooms may induce fatigue, impeding performance, while blue is known to boost employee productivity.

• Our hushFree collection of Class A work and team meeting booths offers interior upholstery panels available in a wide range of amazing colours. Equipped with customisable lighting and ventilation, the hushFree booth can meet each user’s individual needs, which makes it an excellent workspace for focused work in the office.

Colours for the workplace – frequently asked questions

Why is colour psychology important for employees?

Colour psychology explores the subconscious influence that colours exert on workers’ overall well-being and performance. Additionally, it can provide a valuable framework for managing cultural and individual differences in colour perception among employees. The knowledge of colour psychology allows you to make informed choices about colours resonating with your employees on an individual level.

What colour can be used to create a calmer atmosphere in a workplace?

Blue is considered one of the most calming colours to use in the office. You may consider blue-toned interior upholstery in your hushFree booth to make it a quiet sanctuary of undisturbed focus.

What colour should be used to enhance focus and productivity?

Red can enhance focus on Cartesian thought processes, while blue is an excellent choice for boosting employee creativity. To stimulate broader thinking, introducing green into the workspace will be a spot-on solution.