The impact of colours in the office

Do you want to boost your productivity, increase your creativity, or improve your well-being at work? Why not try out the principles of colour psychology?

The use of colour in communication and marketing has been around for a long time, and its importance and impact are crucial in capturing the attention of customers and, consequently, boosting sales. However, it is just as relevant to apply this process judiciously in the field of architecture and interior design, particularly in a professional context.

Research into the effects of colour goes back a long way, even to 1700 when Isaac Newton introduced the first colour wheel. A century later, the writer and physicist Goethe became interested in the psychological effects of colours. Today, many scientific studies investigate and demonstrate the psychological and behavioural impact of colours, forming what is known as colour psychology. You might be surprised to learn how certain colours can create a more positive working environment, making your office more pleasant and productive.

We drew on the words of several experts on the subject, including Jean-Gabriel Causse, a designer and writer specialising in colours, and Angela Wright, a colour psychologist. Angela Wright has shown that there is a correlation between colours and human moods and behaviour. Colours can make us feel hopeful, warm, and powerful, or anxious, angry and confused. By using colour strategically and understanding its impact, a company can improve its workspaces by creating a more positive place for its users, as well as optimising team well-being and increasing productivity. Indeed, used well, colour can help to promote a sense of belonging, strengthen team spirit, and encourage innovation. Angela Wright also explains that it's not just a question of colours, but also of intensity: the same bright or saturated colour will not have the same impact. The human brain is naturally configured to interpret light as an indicator of the time of day, acting as a kind of barometer to determine whether we should be focused or relaxed," explains Ben Hamley, Head of Future of Work at @JLL Asia Pacific. So, colour and lighting design play a crucial role as essential tools in designing future workspaces. This is why colour choices influence employees' ability to relax or to become more involved in the day's work tasks," he observes.

Do you work in a high-stress job, want to renovate your offices to create a space that suits you, or want to help your business grow? At PetersPetersson, we can help you reduce your mental workload by renovating your workplaces to create a space that is both calm and productive, so that you can work in the best possible conditions, without forgetting all the functional and ergonomic aspects you need. We firmly believe that the colour of the spaces that surround us plays an essential role in our lives. We believe that the importance of colour in the architectural environment goes beyond simply designing.

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