Blog Post

One of the most over-looked elements of office design is the colour or colours you choose – different hues can have markedly different psychological effects on the mood of your workplace. Thames Contracts specialise in office refurbishments in Hitchin, Potters Bar, Edgware and around north London. Here we look at the effects individual colours can have, and how we can help you achieve the look you want.

Orange and Yellow – Both these colours are useful if you want to cheer your staff up, as they act as a reminder of the outside world, particularly during the sunny summer months. Yellow is thought to be particularly good for promoting effective teamwork, mental activity and muscle energy. However, too much of either colour can be over-stimulating, so it is often only used sparingly, for example on feature walls only.

Blue – If productivity is your prime concern, then you should consider painting your office walls blue. A neutral shade of blue represents calmness and relaxation, and it helps individual employees focus on the task at hand. It is particularly popular in open-plan offices.

Red – This is what is known as a high-wavelength colour, and it has been shown to increase the blood flow and the heart rate. So, if the nature of your work involves a lot of sudden, sharp bursts of physical activity, you should consider using red on at least some of your walls. However, it is best to avoid overdoing it, as too much red can encourage feelings of anger and hostility.

Green – Green is an increasingly popular colour for office design, because it helps remind employees of the natural world. Like blue, green makes for a relaxing, comfortable atmosphere. It is also easy on the eye, and so is beneficial for people who work long hours. Many workplaces now incorporate ‘green walls’ containing a variety of plants. This has the added benefit of improving air quality for staff, as the plants convert carbon dioxide into oxygen.

Purple – This is widely considered to be a sophisticated colour, perhaps because it does not occur very often in nature. Often it is used in areas of an office where good impressions are paramount, such as reception areas, boardrooms, and meeting rooms. For maximum effect, purples should be balanced out with fixtures and fittings in a neutral colour, such as beige or cream.

White – This colour represents purity and cleanliness, and it can make certain spaces look larger. White works well with colourful furniture, but it can be best to avoid using it as the dominant colour on all your walls. This is because it is also a clinical colour, which can easily be associated with locations such as doctors’ and dentists’ surgeries, and its sterile quality is not always associated with high levels of productivity. One of the best places to use it is in a kitchen or breakout area – it should encourage staff to keep all surfaces clean!

Office Refurbishments with Thames Contracts

If you are starting your office refurbishment with a completely clean slate, you can mix and match your colours for maximum effect. Thames Contracts know which colours are in or out of fashion, and we can work with you to design an office which will look modern and stylish, even in several years’ time.

We have carried out a lot of high-end office fitout projects in Hitchin, Stevenage, St Albans, and all other locations in and around north London. After our initial visit to learn all about your requirements, we then create a series of 3D computer-generated designs as a starting-point. This will include elements such as lighting, office partitions and flooring as well as the walls, and will be fully costed, so you can choose between different alternatives depending on your budget.

We then project-manage the whole design from start to finish, scheduling different tradespeople at suitable times, and provide you with a single point of contact throughout the entire process. If you would like to know more about our office design and build services, follow this link.