Color therapy in the office: interior palette on guard of productivity

Business has tried almost everything, but this is not enough. Fines and bonuses systems, special organization of office space, ergonomic furniture, personal growth trainings — what else to do for productivity stimulation? Add to the interior motivating colors. Or rather, to take as an ally science, studying the effect of color on the body. First of all — on the behavior and brain activity.

What do scientists think about this?

Color therapy (also known as chromotherapy) goes back since Avicenna and has accumulated many different practices. The effectiveness of some is not scientifically proven. But business does not call for giving up antibiotics in favor of color pictures. He uses only effective methods. So, no one questions the psychological effects of color. Combining it with interior design, we get a tool to influence employees.

How not to lose with the office palette?

To choose the right color scheme of the interior, remember 3 key principles:

  • Colors of the same type act in a similar way. Warm urge to action, but can cause irritation. Colds reduces activity, but increases concentration. Pastel soothes. The more intense the color, the stronger the impact.
  • Disharmony reduces the effect. It is not so easy to take and mix in a bunch of colors that increase productivity. Make sure (for example, using the circle of Itten) that they are harmoniously combined. The number is also limited. Classics of the genre — 3, of which the main occupies 60%, additional — 30%, and accentuating — 10%.
  • It is necessary to consider external factors. The choice of color solutions also depends on the specifics of the work, psycho-type and conflict of employees, even on the climate. Where it is always gray and overcast, bright colors are even more relevant, and in sunny and warm terrain it is better to look at dark cold shades.

How do interior colors affect office staff?

Every boss wants to know how to increase work efficiency. Let's start with the spectral colors:

  • Red. The most effective, but controversial. Increases brain and physical activity, but at the same time appetite and irritability. Inspires for labor achievements and conflicts. That is why it is suitable only as an accent.
  • Orange. Stimulates not so aggressively, but it’s risky to go overboard with its saturated options. Improves mood and ability to concentrate. Overdose is fraught with the opposite effect, even depression.
  • Yellow. The color of the sun and gold adjusts to the creative mood, increases the ability to work and helps to enjoy life. But his excess tires his eyes and makes it difficult to concentrate. It may be basic, but safer — optional.
  • Green. It gives confidence, relieves anxiety, increases stress resistance and does not tire the eyes. In a room where the favorite color of psychologists prevails, it is easier to cope with monotonous tasks. But cold shades evoke a green longing.
  • Blue. It is popular as the main, but does not have a motivating action. On the contrary, it relaxes the body and calms the nervous system. Cools hot heads. It can be a good background for stimulating accents.
  • Navy. It creates an atmosphere of trust and promotes effective communication. Adds peace of mind, but not to the detriment of work. Its dark variations, like other dark colors, are not just relaxing, but depressing.
  • Violet. Impact depends on saturation. Lavender and lilac shades soothe. Dark violet suppresses emotions and sets up a pessimistic mood. All variations reduce activity.

Office palette is not limited to the colors of the rainbow. Not less, and even more popular:

  • White. It does not have a pronounced effect, but visually expands the space and harmonizes with any other color.
  • Black. In high doses, it demotivates, suppresses creativity and encourages depression. In limited adds to the interior elegance.
  • Gray. Like other neutral colors, does not have a noticeable effect. If deprived of bright accents, boredom.
  • Brown. Inspires restraint and conservatism. For many companies, this is a plus, but, for example, there is no reason for creative studios to suppress daring undertakings.

What colors are out of place in the office?

Only those whose impact is at variance with your goals. Color therapy is a science not about good and bad shades, but about the effect of color on various systems of the body. In every industry and in every team, the task is to increase their productivity. In one case, it is necessary to stimulate creativity, in the other - to increase attentiveness, in the third — to get rid of conflicts. Find the bottleneck and fix it.

Finally

Bruce Lee bequeathed to fear the one who trains not 10,000 strokes, but only one, but 10,000 times. In the struggle for corporate efficiency, everything is exactly the opposite. Color is powerful, but not your only weapon. Making the interior in accordance with the recommendations of psychologists does not mean to solve all the problems. But this little design step can be a huge leap on the road to success.