The right colour scheme in the workplace is not just a question of good taste - it affects our mood, concentration and even our productivity. While warm and cosy tones for a homely environment usually prevail at home, sterile white often dominates in the office. But this is precisely where there is enormous potential:
In this article, we show you which colours influence your working environment and how you can transform your workspace in the office or at home into a place where you enjoy working productively with a well-thought-out colour scheme.
What is a colour scheme?
A colour scheme is a bit like a style guide for rooms - but in colour. It tells you what colours to use in a particular area, how to combine them and what mood they should create.
A good colour concept ensures that everything fits together: From the wall colour, furniture and interior design to decorative elements and smaller details. It doesn't always have to be loud and colourful. A few splashes of colour can work wonders - as long as there always is a central theme behind it.
The psychology of colours: The impact of colour in the office
A well-thought-out colour scheme is also worth its weight in gold in the workplace - especially there - and is much more than just a bit of decoration on the shelf. After all, the right colour scheme can influence how focused, motivated or relaxed we feel at work.
The effect of different colours:
1. Blue
Blue is one of the most popular colours in interior design - and not without reason: blue conveys calm, clarity, security and courage.
If you want to promote clear thinking, concentration and calm, blue is guaranteed to strike the right note. As blue also conveys seriousness and security, it has a positive effect on our self-confidence and is therefore particularly suitable for meeting rooms: Light and muted shades of blue help to keep a ‘cool head’ in heated discussions.
Recommendation for colour scheme: Combined with white, it creates a harmonious, clean look. For example with light light blue chairs or cushions, wall paintings or other decorative elements. This colour scheme provides a calm atmosphere in the room without appearing too cool.
2. Green
As the colour of nature, green has a balancing, calming and refreshing effect on us. Green accents in interior design promote relaxation, reduce stress levels and create a relaxed yet focused working atmosphere. Plants in particular contribute to a pleasant environment.
Recommendation for colour scheme: Especially in combination with natural materials and the colours brown, grey and black, a lively, inspiring working environment is created.
3. Yellow and Orange
The warm colours are considered invigorating and optimistic, they promote creativity and communication and can counteract tiredness and fatigue.
But: More is not always better. Too dominant a colour, such as a bright yellow wall directly in front of your desk, can also lead to anxiety in the long term, as yellow has a strong effect on our retinas. The colour yellow should therefore be avoided in places where heated discussions, negotiations or staff meetings take place.
Recommendation for colour scheme: Subtle shades of yellow or small pops of colour are more suitable for active desk work than large areas. Combined with white, grey or natural tones, yellow and orange create a lively, friendly atmosphere that encourages creativity and communication.
4. Red
Red is a powerful colour - it represents energy, passion, dynamism and strength. It catches the eye and attracts attention, which is why it is often used as a warning colour, for example in road traffic. However, because of its signal effect, red can not only motivate and activate, but also create anxiety and stress - especially in large areas. So when it comes to interior design, less is more - but in a targeted way!
Used correctly, red ensures focussed attention. It is therefore ideal for highlighting certain details or areas of a room. Red chairs, files, lamps or office accessories create a lively accent without overwhelming the room.
Recommendation for colour scheme: Rather than using it on a large scale, it is best to use targeted splashes of red in the form of furniture or decorative elements. Red looks particularly elegant and balanced when paired with black, anthracite or white. This creates bold but stylish contrasts that raise the energy level without being overwhelming.
5. Purple
Purple is one of the more underrated colors in office design - but it has a lot to offer! The mixture of calming blue and energetic red combines the best of both worlds: Concentration meets creativity, calm meets mental activity.
In a working environment, purple can create an elegant, slightly mystical mood - ideal for creative thinking and conceptual work. Lighter shades of purple, such as lilac or lavender, have a friendly, calming yet mentally stimulating effect. Darker shades, such as aubergine or plum, add depth and elegance to the room, but should be used sparingly so as not to be overwhelming.
Recommendation for colour scheme: Combined with neutral colours such as grey, beige or cream, this creates an inspiring atmosphere. If you are brave, you can also play with metallic accents (e.g. gold or copper) - this gives the room additional value and individuality.
6. Neutral colours such as white, grey and beige
Neutral colours such as white, beige, sand or eggshell have low saturation and therefore low luminosity. They are not stimulating, but rather unobtrusive, creating a clean, peaceful atmosphere. They are particularly suitable for creating a calm, uncluttered environment.
However, colour psychologists advise against pure white in interiors, as it can tire the eyes due to its highly reflective properties. - Not to mention the 'doctor's surgery vibe', which you don't really need in the office...
Recommendation for colour scheme: Opt for tinted whites or soothing beige/sand tones if you want a neutral wall colour in the office.
Influencing factors on colour perception
Not all colours are the same. How exactly we perceive a colour depends on a whole range of influencing factors:
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Room size
Light colours make small rooms feel wider and airier, while dark tones can be cosy but can quickly become overwhelming if the room has little space. On the other hand, strong colour accents can create structure and define zones in large, open rooms. -
Materials and surface
Colours have different effects on different materials. For example, they look very different on wood than on concrete or smooth plastic surfaces. Apropos: The surface of the material also influences the perception of colour. Colours appear calmer and more relaxed on matt surfaces than on glossy ones. This is due to the difference in light reflection, which is lower on matt surfaces, whereas glossy surfaces reflect more light and therefore radiate more energy and dynamism. -
Lighting conditions
Daylight, artificial light, warm or cold light - they all change the effect of colour. In principle, artificial light reduces the intensity of colours, while daylight enhances their radiance. North-facing rooms and rooms with little natural light therefore need carefully coordinated colours and light sources to create a pleasant atmosphere.
As a simple mnemonic: Warm light enhances the effect of warm colours such as yellow and red, while cold light enhances the effect of cold colours such as blue and grey.
The right colour scheme for the office
Colours subconsciously send subtle signals to the body: ‘Now is the time to concentrate’, ‘You can be creative here’ or ‘Relax for a moment’. This is precisely why the colour scheme in the office is so important. Depending on what mood the room is supposed to express, our body can already subconsciously adjust to it with the right colour scheme.
In the following overview, we have summarised which colours are best suited to which room:
| Room | Recommended colours | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Focus and working area | Light blue, green, beige | Promotes concentration, calm and clear thinking |
| Meeting and conference room | Blue, green, neutral colours | Clarity, trust, goal-orientation |
| Creative room | Blue, yellow, purple | Promotes creativity and concentration |
| Break room and lounge area | Purple, green, neutral colours, yellow | Relaxation, recreation, creativity |
| Reception area | Light colours such as beige, soft yellow, light blue | positive first impression, friendly, inviting |
A well thought-out colour scheme in workspaces takes various things into account, such as the purpose of the room and the lighting conditions, but the most important thing is to focus on the people who spend time there. Because:
A colour scheme works best when everyone involved can relate to it.
When everyone is involved in the colour scheme of the office, the overall sense of wellbeing in the space can be greatly enhanced. After all, colours have a very individual effect - what is calming for one person can be anxiety-provoking for another. This makes it all the more important to decide together which colour scheme suits the corporate culture and the team.
Colour schemes for the home office: how to find the right colours
A well-thought-out colour scheme in the home office can help you switch mentally between leisure and work mode - especially important when the couch and desk are only a few metres apart. Here, colour can provide structure and help to emotionally separate the workspace from the rest of the home.
For concentrated, analytical work, for example, a wall colour in calming tones such as light blue, sage green or muted grey is ideal. If you do a lot of creative work, you can be a little bolder: Soft shades of yellow or lavender give a fresh impetus and encourage new ideas.
💡 Tip: It doesn't always have to be four painted walls - a few subtle touches of colour are often enough to create a zoning effect: a coloured carpet, coloured office items such as folders, or colourful decorative elements. If you really want to paint a wall, even a painted section of wall can make a big difference and help to visually frame your workspace.
The nice thing about working from home:
You are your own interior designer. Your choice of colour can also be an expression of your personal style and identity - whether minimalist and clean, natural and calming, or colourful and vibrant. It is important that the workspace is clearly distinguished from the rest of the home, both visually and emotionally. More importantly, you need to feel comfortable in your workspace to be productive and enjoy working there.
Coloured office chairs from Aeris
At Aeris, you'll find a large selection of ergonomic office chairs with colourful posters that fit perfectly into any office or home office colour scheme. And because good design can do more than just look good, our products also ensure that movement, comfort and well-being are a natural part of the workplace.
