There are a multitude of decisions to make when it comes to office renovation and redesign. Not only do you have to choose the best layout for your space, including how to use every inch effectively, you also have to create an environment pleasing to your employees as well as your clients and customers. In most redesign plans, color plays a huge role, because color effects everyone , evoking emotions and feelings unique to every individual. When planning your office’s color palette, it is important that you choose the right colors.
Did you know studies have shown the right color can influence clients and customers in positive ways. For example, in retail environments, certain colors ensure customers linger longer and can encourage purchases. On top of that, in nearly all business environments, retail to business offices, employers report color choices help create an uplifting, energized culture which can increase not only sales, but overall productivity. Since the color palette you choose is so influential to your business success, Perillo Construction is ready to help you explore how you can incorporate modern color palettes in your office redesign.
The Research Behind Color Selection
It probably doesn’t come as a surprise, the effects of color on businesses in a variety of industries has gone on for years. In addition to research studies, numerous experiments have followed determining the impact of colors on employees as well as customers. For example, one study examined the effects of color schemes on routine office jobs – data entry, telemarketing, filing, etc. Another examined the effects of colors on the performance and productivity of workers. The results determined the color palettes which enhanced workers’ performance and overall wellbeing, thus correlating workers’ moods to particular colors. Here’s how to choose the color palette best for your workplace, your employees, and your clients or customers.
- The Nature of Your Business – It makes sense that the nature of your business should help determine your choice of color. Neutral colors are a good match for serious-minded businesses, but the occupants personality can’t be discounted. Choose warm mellow hues of yellow and orange to communicate energy. Light tones of yellow have also been shown to enhance creativity and are often chosen for the offices of the creative types within a business. Blue green tones are calming and work best in medical offices, law practices, and accounting firms.
- The Saturation of the Color – The saturation, that is, the intensity of the color is also an important consideration. Bright, deep, or strong color choices stimulate performance while softer tones can sooth behavior.
- The Size of Your Workspace – For offices where space is at a premium, white, tans, and beiges can help the illusion that the workspace is larger. On the other hand, darker hues are often chosen to make larger spaces feel more cozy and less intimidating.
Making Your Color Selection
While there are no “wrong” colors, when making your choice, you must use your choices well. As you select your colors, determine the influence – creativity, emotions, mind, balance, body – and proceed accordingly. Keep in mind you aren’t choosing a single color but a color palette which should completement and contrast, creating balance in your space. To get you started, here are some common colors used in office redesign and what they can mean for your business.
- Red showcases physicality as well as strength, making it a good choice for gyms and other workplaces where a social environment is key to success.
- Yellow rouses emotion, making it an excellent choice for the offices of creative employees like writers, designers, and musicians.
- Green is the color of balance, peace, and encouragement and is often choice of banks, accountants, and the like.
- Blue excites the mind and is an excellent option for offices where the mind is responsible for the bulk of the work – attorneys, doctors, accountants, etc.