Colors

COLORS IN THE WORKPLACE

Selecting the right colors for a workplace can be as important as selecting the right employees to work for you. A research paper by Kalyan N. Meola, with the University ofHawaii at Hilo, states that visual elements, including colors, can have an influence on employee behaviors, productivity levels, moods and attitudes. The psychological effects of wall colors in aworkplace are an important consideration when creating a perceived room temperature and ambiance.

Green and Blue
Walls that are blue and/or green can help employees feel calm, relaxed and hopeful.Kortney Jo Edge with the University of Florida found that the color blue can help lower heart rates, blood pressure and respiration, while green can reduce anxiety. FreshHome.com states that the colorgreen is restful for eyes, and can help reduce eyestrain for employees who use computers. Dark blue and other jewel tones, however, can bring feelings of sadness.
Yellow and Orange
Yellow and orangeare colors that can stimulate and energize employees. While the color orange can generate enthusiasm in employees, yellow can feel welcoming and help stimulate memories. Both colors, however, may notbe desirable as the main color of walls in a workplace, because orange stimulates appetites and yellow can evoke feelings of anger and frustration. In the workplace, it is best to use yellow andorange as accent colors on walls, or you may face employees who are frustrated and/or ready for a lunch break.
Red
The color red can help excite and stimulate employees, as well as increase brain waveactivities, heart rates and respiration. Because this wall color can over-stimulate employees, it is best to use it on an accent wall or as an accent color. Employees who work at night may particularlybenefit from the color red on walls. Crimson -- a deep, jewel-toned shade of red -- is a color to avoid painting on walls, particularly as a main color, because it can stimulate feelings of anger...