The choice of color in the offices it is not a merely aesthetic or stylistic decision. It is something deeply related to our perceptions and moods, through the sense of sight. Just as good lighting determines work performance, the Color has psychological effects on the worker. In fact, there is a discipline called “color ergonomics” that determines the influence of color on the performance and occupational health of the worker.

If we are aware that bad lighting affects our work, it is logical to think that the choice of colors does as well. Everything related to sight (lighting, contrast, distance and color) influences the visual performance of the worker. As one of the 5 sensory systems we have, vision can lead to positive or negative psychological changes that interfere with work behavior. For this reason, when designing work environments, a professional must intervene. multidisciplinary team made up of architects, interior designers, psychologists, doctors specializing in occupational health, industrial engineers, etc. Together, they must design pleasant work environments to perform visually comfortable tasks and thus increase the visual performance and, therefore, general of the worker.

Although a worker's overall performance is highly correlated with other skills (eg manual), the ability to perform most tasks depends on vision. The level of visual performance It is determined by the presence of light in the environment, but not any lighting level or any type of lighting color is valid. The goal of any lighting project is to provide the right level to perform a task safely and comfortably, in the event that it is not possible to use direct sunlight.

Color temperature

In certain professional activities, a type of color appearance is recommended for lighting: warm, neutral or cold. This is determined with a numerical parameter that serves to quantify the “color temperature” and they summarize the chromatic perception isolated from lighting. 

La neutral color temperature it is perceived between 4500 and 5500 K (degrees Kelvin), and results in lighting that is neither yellowish nor bluish. If the color temperature is less than 5000 K, the lighting tends to be more yellowish and reddish, giving a psychological feeling of warmth. And if the temperature is higher than 5500 K, the lighting tends to be more bluish, which is perceived as a cool color temperature.

Internal relationships by color association (color harmony) They are used in architecture and interior design to create color combinations that are visually comfortable and not too loud. Although, in general, the colors red, yellow and their derived tones are considered "warm", poorly combined they can create adverse psychological effects. The same goes for traditional cool colors, like green and blue.

the harmony of colors

It has been widely studied and demonstrated that color causes psychological and emotional reactions. There are basic colors: blue, red, green, purple, orange... and achromatic colors (white, gray and black). Depending on the colors of the environment, different effects are achieved. To better understand the harmonic relationships, it is convenient to order them in a circle, as can be seen in this figure:

Adjacent (harmonic) colors are neighbors, and next to each other. The complementary ones are those that are separated by another color (tone). And the opposites are opposite each other. 

Effect of colors

In general terms, they are classified as:

• Cold colors (blue, green, turquoise, violet): have relaxing effects and distant perception.
• Warm colors (yellow, orange and red): they cause dynamic and exciting effects, with a perception of closeness.
• Neutral colors (white, grey, black, brown, silver): they are suitable for backgrounds (in interior design, “box”).

All these effects are what must be taken into account when project the interior design of a space. The goal is to emulate the colors of nature, because they are more familiar and identifiable to us: earth colors for the floor, foliage colors for the walls, and atmospheric colors for the ceilings.

The basic rule is that lighter colors are distributed above the view, and the darker ones, below. In addition, another guideline is that more strident colors they are considered more daring and follow the dictates of fashion; while the greyish and pastel colors are more reserved and the light colors are more suitable for children.

Ergonomics in the decoration of the space plays a relevant role, since the choice of color on the walls, ceiling and floor can substantially alter the appearance and proportions of the environment, as well as its effect on people. The color also modifies the perceptions of the size of spaces. For example, the cold colors they tend to push the walls away and back, which translates into a feeling of greater spatial amplitude. The luminous colors They also achieve that effect. On the other hand, walls painted in warm or dark colors give a feeling of closeness.

NEUTRAL COLORS

They are usually used as a base in any work space, since they do not connote emotions as accentuated as warm or cold colors. The key is how mix them with other colors to create attractive interior designs, depending on the area where we are. 

 

 

Offices in white

Being a neutral color, it transmits cleanliness and clarity. It enhances natural light and the perception is of luminosity, although if it is used excessively, the effect will be excessively aseptic and cold. Another advantage is that visually expands the space and it is easily combinable with any other shade. is the ideal "box" that is, the perfect canvas on which to add touches of color in the details, furniture or some walls.

Working on interior design projects in white is always a guarantee. Errors are seldom made if it is used the range of whites and neutrals. So, if you have doubts, you have to play it safe.

Neutral color scheme

It is very difficult to do without the white color in interior design, since, as we said, it is the perfect base on which to work. It is true that a white decoration could be bland and not have much interest, and that is why it is usually combined with the rest of the color spectrum Very easily.

If several neutral tones are combined, such as white, gray or black, The result is a calm space designed for concentration work. 

The versatility of gray

It must be taken into account that the color of an office is not only provided by the paint, but by the rest of the materials: wood, leather, felt, metal, textiles, etc Cement can be a great ally when it comes to “building” the image of an office, because it connotes modernity, elegance and daring in equal parts. But be careful, gray can be cold and sad, which can affect the workers' mood. For this reason it is important that it enjoys a good source of natural light and that it is splashed with splashes of colour. This is the case of these clinical research offices in Shanghai, where the raw cement of the structure was enhanced thanks to some large windows and some objects (carpet, works of art, etc.) were placed in chromatic contrast.

In general, gray is a very grateful color that combines very well with the rest of the colors, but requires large and bright spaces to achieve the desired effect. It offers an aspect in itself of modernity, and when it is through exposed cement, the brutalist style that is so fashionable is accentuated. It combines very well with warm colors, such as yellow, red or orange.

WARM COLORS

 

The meaning of the color yellow

Yellow is an energetic color associated with joy and optimism. It symbolizes the radiant, solar energy, vitamins and sunny mornings, for which it has a very positive effect on workers. It is frequently used in creative workspaces and shared work areas (common rooms, team buildings, etc.), as it promotes good vibes in group work. 

How to combine yellow

From the decorative and psychological point of view, it is recommended to use it in doses, since an environment entirely in yellow can cause visual stress in the worker (as in general all warm colors). Combined with white, it works wonders, as white neutralizes the excess color information that yellow reflects. If you also add a light shade of green, you can create very comforting spaces, where the sun and the wooded foliage seem to be present.

Offices in red or orange

Both colors convey energy, strength and vitality. Orange is a secondary color that is formed from red and yellow, primary colors. For this reason, it is slightly less "aggressive" and more comfortable to wear than red. However, both have to be used sparingly and preferably in social areas, meeting rooms or spaces where you don't spend a lot of time. Of course, a red or orange “total look” is not recommended in intense work areas, where concentration is required. However, they can be used freely to add color accents in certain elements of furniture, for example, in the upholstery of the chairs or in the separating screens.

 Red is a very corporate color and it is used in a large number of commercial logos, since it has undoubted visual strength and power (remember brands such as Coca-Cola, Malboro, Netflix or MacDonalds). For this reason, we find it present in many offices, whose corporate color is red. But, we insist, a touch of red is enough to mark the image of the company.

 

COLD COLORS

The blue color in offices

It is usually a color widely used in work environments, since it transmits stability, elegance, balance and inner peace.  It is a fairly conservative color, that is, it does not connote daring and courage. Depending on the hue (if it has more or less yellow), it can be a light green, and if it is combined with green, it results in a turquoise blue, which is a more endearing and familiar color. It is proven that blue decreases the blood pressure and heart rate. It is especially used in work spaces with a high level of stress, such as call centers, or environments where difficult negotiations are carried out. In addition, it favors memory, concentration and calm. 

Perhaps blue is one of the colors that works the most chromatic tones in work environments. The colder it is, the better it goes with warm tones, such as orange or mustard yellow. Instead, the warmer it is (meaning the more yellow it has), it works better with white and other neutral colors. It is extremely versatile and with it you can create both serious and sophisticated environments, as well as cheerful and youthful ones. 

Green, a fashionable color in offices

It is, without a doubt, the color that is setting trends in the office design. And all this has to do with the desire of companies to have more spaces sustainable, healthy and biophilic.  Within the range of cold colors, it is the warmest, since it has yellow. As in the case of blue, depending on the color percentages, it tends to be colder or warmer. With green you can achieve a "total look", since it is a color that transports us directly to the nature and transmits us recollection, peace and harmony. It is a color that we are very familiar with (who has not ever been in a forest or surrounded by green?) and it is familiar and understandable to us; That is why it inspires confidence and security. 

It goes well with wood and white (as well as other neutrals), and if you want to add a color accent, you can use orange and yellow. With red it usually looks very strident, in flag fashion, but you know, “for tastes, there are colors”.

Photos: office snaps shots y Unplash