Productivity is bound to be at the top of your mind when designing your home office. Studies indicate that the color of the workspace has a significant impact on the productivity as well as emotional well-being of the individual. The area of work you are engaged in and the kind of productivity levels you are looking to achieve will figure in your choice of colors for your home office. Let’s take a look at some of the top office colors for you to choose from and tips on making the right choice.
The Effect of Colors on Productivity
Without a doubt, color psychology is a fascinating subject. Businesses and entrepreneurs are increasingly making use of this field of study to promote higher levels of productivity at the workplace. Your home office is no exception, and you can also harness the research of color psychology experts to boost efficiency. Here are the top eight colors for you to consider for your home office:
White – Long associated with notions such as peace, calm, and cleanliness, the color white is a popular choice for all types of offices. Before you jump the gun and label white as ‘boring’ , stop to think why would it then have so many shades. Pearl white, off white, and cream white are just some of the choices. Designer brands are also known to come up with their own versions of each pf these with matte, glossy, and pearl versions too. Besides being easy on the eyes, white is known to help keep stress levels down. And, as we know, a stress-free person can give their best to the task at hand.
Grey – Not quite black, not quite white – that’s how you would describe grey. Ideal for setting a neutral mood, grey could be a good choice if your job description involves doing quite a bit of thinking. It also makes for a great background for putting up cheery pieces of art or craft to brighten up your work area. The lighter shades are preferable to the darker ones since dark grey can prove counter-productive by fostering feelings of melancholy or depression.
Brown – An earthy shade, brown exudes warmth and welcome. This color is also associated with stability and assurance. It makes you feel at home and a relaxed mind is a productive workshop! Brown can be used to create a beautiful contrast, especially if your furniture is white or cream. If you have brown or maple-colored furniture then, you could use it in combination with a cheery color like yellow for a harmonious space.
Light Blue – Blue is again associated with stability and calm. It is just perfect to play around with various shades. For instance, pale blue or teal walls accentuated by a dark, deep shade along the trim and ceilings makes for a cozy place. The darker shades of blue such as navy are known to encourage concentration and insightful experiences. Add a touch of gloss to light blue and it says tranquility, essential to deep thinking that can result in creative inspiration.
Orange – It might seem like an unlikely choice for a home office. However, it is also true that this color comes highly recommended if you are trying to boost productivity. It offers the best of red and yellow in just the right measure, without being overpowering. Orange is known to infuse you with a burst of energy and thus, propel you to efficiency, especially on sultry afternoons! Neutral colored accessories and furniture can create the perfect work atmosphere for all seasons.
Dark Green – While bright greens can be a little blinding, shades of dark green can tone down the space without making it appear dark. Green is perfect for conveying balance and harmony, essential to a productivity workspace. It can also come in handy when you need to refocus and reenergize with breathing exercises and a teeny bit of meditation. This is one color that cannot be held guilty of causing eye fatigue. The right shade of green can also remind you of the outdoors and provide rejuvenation.
Pale Yellow – This soothing color lends a touch of softness to your home office. Associated with sunlight and cheery blooms, yellow is known to fill your with good cheer and optimism. It can give a boost to self-esteem while encouraging innovation. This is one color that is often found in artist studios and other such creative spaces. Yellow is also perfect for teaming up with other colors such as white and blue depending on the look you’re aiming for.
Purple: Often associated with royalty and luxury, purple offers you a range of choices in shades. Softer shades can have a calming effect without losing the royal sheen. It is an ideal choice for enterprises such as beauty salons. Variants such as lilac or mauve also make for great display backgrounds, especially perfumes and beauty care products. It can serve as an excellent tool in branding or packaging. By giving your home office walls this shade, you can create the convey the premium value of your services.
You could also try out a combination of one or more of these shades for a unique home office space. Another option is for you to continue with the theme adopted around the rest of the house.
How to Choose The Best One For You
Irrespective of the color you pick, opting for subtle shades would be a wise move. While you might think that bright shades will infuse with energy, there is research indicating the contrary. For instance, red has been found to foster a feeling of urgency that can in turn lead to anxiety and stress. This can work in sales pitches and advertisements but definitely not for the office. Similarly, intense hues such as emerald greens can prove distracting. It is not recommended if your job involves a great deal of focus and teamwork. But it can be perfect for travel agencies or supermarkets.
Finish Up With a DIY Desk
Choosing the right desk is an additional way of enhancing your productivity. DIY desks are the best choice when it comes to setting up your home office your way. Look around for inspiration and you’re sure to end up with way more options than you thought possible! Be it design, color, or the type of tabletop, you will be spoilt for choice.
Picking a Design: A standard desk is one tried and tested option. However, if you want to be more in keeping with the times and thinking ergonomically, then a standing desk or one that goes from standing to sitting is the way to go. With studies indicating that standing for at least part of the time when at work is beneficial to health, standing and convertible desks are fast gaining popularity. Corner desks and wrap around desks are the other options you might want to look at.
Choosing a Desk Frame: An appropriate desk frame is essential to ensuring the efficiency of your DIY desk. Since you are choosing to customize your desk, there is no need to stick to standard sizes and you can figure out a height that is comfortable. For standard desks, you could choose a good hardwood and shape it to your requirements. If you are leaning towards a standing to sitting desk, then look for a frame that lets you change positions smoothly and with minimal effort. Take for instance, the Flexispot Standing Desk Frames: Single Motor EC1. The stable yet super quiet motors make switching from standing to sitting and vice versa, a pleasant experience. This economical option is perfect for limited workspaces. A weight capacity of 154 lb (70 kg) and an advanced all in one keyboard are the other highlights.
Desktop Material: For a unique look, take your pick of unusual or quirky materials such as wooden pallets, concrete countertops, and even used door panels. A sturdy desk frame that is made of hardwood or one such as the Flexispot Standing Desk Frame with its high weight-bearing capacity can handle all of these materials and more.
Picking a Color: You could match the color of your desktop with the walls of your office. You could also choose to create a contrast getting a desk that stands out against the wall colors. Colors such as white, black, maple, graphite, and mahogany are classic favorites that tend to complement most wall color choices.
There’s also research emerging that a combination of colors can be equally effective in enhancing productivity as a single color. So, there’s no hard and fast rule about which colors to pick and you could try one or more combinations till you arrive at the right one for your requirements. Or, if you are more of a single-color person, then pick one and play with the shades for your own unique style of home office decor. Keep these pointers in mind while designing your home office and you are sure to notice for yourself the heightened levels of productivity.
