Office space must exude an ambiance of positivity and productivity. Wall color is a contributing factor to employee mood and work habits. The colors you choose for your office can shape the environment and mindset of your employees.

According to a study conducted by Jinnah University, exposure to certain colors stimulate mental activity, while others are thought to have a calming effect. Since color can significantly impact the ability to get work done, it's important to choose hues that inspire and relax.

At VanDerKolk Painting, we possess extensive experience in assisting clients across various industries in selecting the perfect colors for their spaces. Whether you own a retail shop, a bank, a factory, or a commercial office space, we can provide expert guidance to ensure your colors work harmoniously in your unique environment.

Factors To Consider When Selecting Paint Colors For Your Office

Selecting the perfect paint colors for an office can be a daunting task, given the vast array of options available. Determining which colors will complement your work environment becomes easier when you consider a few essential guidelines. By taking these factors into account, you can simplify the process and make informed choices.

Reflect On The Purpose Of Your Workspace

Different industries often require specific color palettes to create the desired atmosphere. For professional environments like offices and banks, understated tones such as various shades of grey and white tend to be more suitable. On the other hand, creative offices often benefit from bold and captivating colors like shades of red and yellow that can influence employees positively.

Evaluate The Natural Lighting

The amount of natural light in your office space plays a significant role in determining the appropriate paint colors. Rooms with limited natural light may benefit from lighter tones to brighten the space, while rooms with ample sunlight can accommodate darker shades. Additionally, consider how the light will affect the appearance of different colors.

Consider The Psychological Impact Of Colors

Drawing inspiration from the principles of ancient Chinese philosophy, known as feng shui, can help you choose colors that are best suited for your workspace. Colors have psychological effects on both workers and visitors. For example, blue and black are associated with enhancing focus and concentration, while red is believed to promote energy and vitality. Green is often associated with growth and decisiveness.

Take The Size Of Your Space Into Account

The size of your office space will also influence the choice of paint colors. Lighter tones can create an illusion of openness in smaller areas, while darker hues can make larger spaces feel more intimate. Additionally, darker colors can add a cozy ambiance to any room.

Consider The Desired Temperature

Colors can evoke a sense of warmth or coolness. To create a warm and inviting atmosphere, consider using shades of orange, red, yellow, or even peach. If you wish to achieve a cooler environment, light blue or light green can be excellent choices.

Ensure Cohesion Throughout The Space

When selecting paint colors, it is important to ensure a cohesive look and flow throughout your home or business. Choosing colors that harmonize with each other will create a more unified and pleasing aesthetic. If you encounter drastic transitions from one room to another, you can use transition colors in hallways to create a smoother shift.

Take Inspiration From Existing Elements

Observing the existing elements in your space can serve as inspiration for selecting paint colors. Whether it's a piano, fireplace, artwork, or prominent woodwork, these elements can help set the tone and guide you in choosing suitable color combinations.

The Best Paint Colors For An Office

Choosing the right paint colors for a business can create a visually appealing environment. However, the selection process should consider the business type and the target audience. Below are a few of the best paint colors to choose for an office.

Navy Blue

Blue is an energizing color that stimulates productivity. Almost every shade of blue in the spectrum eludes the same feeling. However, navy blue in particular distinguishes a workspace and creates a luxurious feel. 

Red

Red tends to convey a message of urgency, which is why it’s used on fire engines and ambulances. As such, it often triggers fast reactions and keeps us alert. Red is good for office spaces where you need employees to be awake and responsive. It’s an excellent color to use for conference rooms. Moreover, we wouldn’t necessarily recommend using red throughout your entire office. Rather, it’s great as an accent color. 

Yellow

Yellow evokes positive feelings and can often inspire creativity. For this reason, yellow is ideal for companies in the art and design field. Because of its ability to lift moods, this uplifting color is also often used in counseling spaces. 

True Green

The color green has long been associated with tranquility and confidence. Researchers believe that green calms our nervous systems down because our eyes don’t have to strain to perceive the wavelengths that correspond with the color green. The financial sector often decorates its workplace in shades of green, as this hue is also associated with wealth. True green is a brighter shade of green that can be both calming and energizing, which is a great combination. 

Off-White

White walls are very common in offices because it’s a plain color that isn’t likely to offend anyone. Instead of white, it’s actually better to go with an off-white paint color to avoid creating an environment that feels clinical. This toned-down variant of white is cleaner and cozier than pure white. It's a fresh shade, perfect for balancing off a bold feature wall.

Teal

Teal, a fusion shade of green and blue, is a productive and calming choice since it incorporates qualities from both of the basic hues. Be careful not to go crazy with teal. Too much teal can make make your office feel like a zoo. Teal works well as a focal point or statement piece. 

Grey

Grey is a nice neutral to mix with calm hues and adds a level of sophistication to an office. If you’d like a neutral color, grey is a great choice and it helps you avoid the cold feeling created by pure white clinical settings. 

Pastel Blue

Using pastel shades of blue in the workplace is common as it balances the color scheme without looking overwhelming. Spas and wellness businesses use this tone combined with softer shades of blue. 

Warm Brown

The color brown is associated with strength and authority. It's a formidable color combination with hardwood furnishings. As an earthy color, brown can keep us grounded and focused on work. Warm brown colors are lighter shades of brown, which can save your office from feeling too dark. 

Color Schemes For a Lively Workspace

Neutral Colors

For your workplace to have a soothing but authoritative atmosphere, neutral colors are a great option. These hues give a unique way of enhancing a space aesthetic without taking center stage. 

Try switching to a neutral color scheme to boost the employees' productivity. They keep the atmosphere calm and conducive to work by providing a pleasant background. In addition, the classic allure of neutral tones guarantees that your office's aesthetic will age gracefully and professionally.

Neutral paint colors, such as white, beige, and light grey, are highly recommended for use in interior design. The tranquility and calmness of light greys make them an excellent choice for contemporary and classic workplaces. The use of beige helps to create a welcoming environment and makes the space more open and airier.

Using neutral tones creates a sleek and uncluttered appearance, providing a unified setting that highlights the room's furnishings and artwork. Walls and other prominent surfaces painted in neutral tones give a room a polished, classic appearance that works well with many design motifs.

Energizing Colors 

Introducing bright colors to the workplace can greatly enhance productivity. Strategically placing splashes of color creates a space that promotes creativity and efficiency. Research shows that using warm colors such as yellow, orange, and red can improve mental sharpness and boost productiveness.

Colors have their own unique meanings and can affect our mood and productivity. Yellow is often associated with positivity and new ideas, while orange is known for its high energy and ability to boost drive and efficiency. Conversely, Red is a good choice for brainstorming settings because it stimulates mental activity.

Consider using accent walls or colorful furnishings to bring these energizing hues into the workplace. A splash of color on one wall or focal point can make a room seem more alive and interesting. By carefully integrating these energizing colors, you can create a dynamic and exciting workplace that encourages creativity and increases productivity. 

Do not go overboard with energizing colors. Remember that moderation is the key to success, and keep the overall design harmonious by balancing these bright colors with neutral tones.

Calming Colors

Wall paint color selection is essential in creating a calm and efficient workspace. Everyone wants to work in a workplace that immediately makes them feel calm and ready to work. Cool hues like blue and green help secure the objective. 

The soothing effects of blues and greens make them ideal for establishing a peaceful and relaxed work environment. Colors like pastel, mint green, and sky blue improve concentration by creating a calming environment.

The trick is to strike a balance between relaxing and being productive. Use these colors as accents in furniture or other designs to create a relaxing atmosphere while enhancing productivity and inspiration.

By painting your workplace in soothing pastels like sky blue and sage green, you can create an environment conducive to efficiency and a healthy lifestyle.

Balancing Warm and Cool Colors

It's essential to foster productivity and morale in the workplace by establishing aesthetic harmony. An excellent method is to balance warm and cool tones appropriately, working off each other's strengths. With this method, you can create a more aesthetic and well-balanced tone. 

Maintaining a balance between warm and cool hues is crucial to making a space seem unified and inviting. Offices with wood finishes or other warm tones might seem more attractive and classier. These hues work well with calming, attention-grabbing cold colors like blues and greens.

Use furniture, carpeting, or decorative accents in earthy wood tones to strike this balancing chord. Wood's richness and texture can anchor the area in familiarity while lending a touch of elegance. Try combining warm wood tones with cold blues or greens to create a visually attractive and practical work atmosphere.

Incorporating color schemes that are either complimentary or comparable can further improve visual harmony. Colors that are opposite to one another on the color wheel provide a striking contrast, while colors that are close together offer a soothing mix. 

Colors For Specific Room Sizes & Functions

The Best Paint Colors For A Small Office

Lighter paint colors work best for small offices, as they create an illusion of a larger space. Instead of opting for a stark white, consider using lighter tones with soothing, earthy hues like light greens and blues.

You should void using bold and vibrant colors in a small office, as they can be overwhelming and distracting. Steer clear of hot colors such as red and orange, as well as muted neutral colors that can make the space appear gloomy.

The Best Paint Colors For Meeting & Conference Rooms

To keep the energy and engagement high during business meetings, focus on incorporating vibrant accent colors such as coral, yellow, and red. Neutral colors should be avoided as they can diminish the overall energy in the room.

The Best Paint Colors For Office Break Rooms

Calming colors like green and blue are great for break rooms to help employees relax on their breaks. Businesses that use neutral colors throughout the office can also utilize bright colors like yellow or orange in the break room to stimulate and re-invigorate employees.

Paint Your Office With VanDerKolk Painting

The commercial office painting professionals at VanDerKolk Painting can help you update your office to boost morale and productivity. We’ve been painting commercial offices since 1991. Our professional painters can work with your team to understand your needs and your space so that we can help you decide on the right colors for your office. Careful attention to color and technique will help you give your workplace a fresh, professional look while boosting morale and efficiency.

You can speak with a member of our team about your commercial office painting job by calling 602-345-1753 or by filling out a contact form. We offer free quotes, so you can learn more about our services and we can learn more about your needs at no cost.