The impact of colour on us

The use of colour can have a considerable impact on the people in a working environment. We recently discussed the impact of colour in the workplace. This article is looking a bit further into the physical and psychological impact colours can have on us.

Colour psychology is the study of how colours affect human behaviour and emotions. It is often used in marketing and branding, to steer consumer perception of a brand or product, as the impact of colours can influence the emotions we feel. This can also be applied in interior design and guide us when we make decisions on what colours to use where, how to create a certain mood or where we want to invoke a certain emotion.

Studies have shown that colours influence perceptions that are not obvious, such as sound, taste, and even the perception of time. Colours like red and yellow can raise blood pressure, meanwhile blue and green can lower them. Even our body temperature can fluctuate in response to various colours.

But everything is not black and white. How colours affect you is largely based on context. The colour red has been shown to promote social interactions and collaboration, but also has a negative impact on the quality and accuracy of work. So a red office space might not be the best approach, yet the way to go for your lunch room. Green is a good choice for spaces with creative activities, as it has been shown to increase performance on creative tasks, following a study from the University of Munich.

So no matter if it’s a small detail, an accent wall or an entire space, colours create different moods, emotions, atmospheres and feelings. What is however important to remember, is that the meaning of colours has a deeply personal and cultural connection.

The way we work has changed considerably in recent years, with more focus on mobility and flexibility in office spaces. Therewith, companies find themselves with the need to design adaptable spaces that encourage creativity, collaboration and innovation. It is within this dynamic that colour is taking its place.

The design of a good and thought-through workspace requires experience in the selection of furniture, materials, textures, colours, and branding. By approaching a project holistically, colours become an essential element in the space. This reflection must be adopted on a broader scale when planning work environments. Let the white office spaces be a part of the past and let’s start designing inviting office spaces, with the employees and the company in mind.