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Workplace Solutions

Colour your workspace

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:49

The power of colour in all its shades and hues cannot be denied, which is why it has a surprisingly important role to play in the workplace. Whether its clients you wish to keep calm and serene with a sea shade of blue, or employees you hope to energise with the vibrant red found on a stop sign, the simple act of dipping a paintbrush into a tin of carefully selected paint can change the dynamics of your office space with amazing effect.

Moody Blues

“Prior to pulling out the colour wheel to select the shades you like best for your office walls, it’s always a good idea to consider the kind of mood you wish to create for both your customers and employees,” explains Kim Meszaros, marketing executive of leading workforce management solutions company, Kelly.

Indeed, it has been scientifically proven that colour has a psychological effect on one’s mood which in turn affects productivity levels, as well as the quality of work produced. “The question really is, why not harness the power of colour in the workplace? With this in mind, the paint colour found on walls should reflect the type of mood that is ideal for a certain type of work environment,” adds Meszaros.

The Colour of Proactive Optimism

Dulux South Africa’s colour expert, Sonica Bucksteg was invited to participate in a global forum which predicts colour trends for the following year and she says, “A blushing, lively and juicy red has been unanimously selected as the colour of the year. This radiant shade will be making its mark in 2012 because it is a colour that can be many things to many people, reminding us to not look for simple solutions, but to open our mind to the “possibilities” waiting to be discovered.”

“With the economic downturn a feeling of optimism would be welcomed in most office spaces, and right now red is the colour that can inject a feeling of proactivity and “take-charge” positivity into your working environment. Perfect for both accent and feature walls, the colour red has emerged from the paler tints and colours seen over the last few years, into something more robust to warm our hearts in 2012,” she concludes.

Colour Matters

In the matter of colour, certain associations apply. By way of example, doctors’ consulting rooms need to convey an air of serenity to keep nervous patients calm and in this case blue is considered to be the best choice as it’s perceived to be tranquil and soothing. An ad agency, on the other hand, should operate from a vibrant space to inspire creativity and new ideas from its staff and therefore brighter, and even multiple colours, are considered more suitable.

Green is usually associated with youth and vigour and useful for boardrooms, or ‘pause’ rooms, as it energises the mind and stimulates creative thinking. Cited most often as a favourite colour by people around the world, “it is also the Kelly staff’s favourite colour for obvious reasons,” laughs Meszaros.

A Pallet of Productivity

“So choose a pallet of productivity, quality and energised optimism to lift the morale of your employees and clients. With paint brush in hand and just a few simple brush strokes of a carefully chosen colour, you could change for the better the mood of your working space and those around you too”, suggests Meszaros.