Best Office Colors to Boost Workplace Productivity

Has your office felt depressing lately? Has your business needed a boost? Paint color is a simple way to influence mood, morale and productivity in business and workplace settings. Whether you want to energize your team, enhance focus, or strengthen your customers' perception of your brand and their purchasing decisions, color plays a significant role.

In this post, we’ll break down the best color choices for office interiors and business spaces based on what science and psychology say about how different hues affect the brain. In a previous post we talked about how to use color in the home and how it affects people. The use of color in business and office spaces is no exception, and we’ll help you use the science of color to your advantage. We’ll also discuss how finding the right commercial painting contractor can help you achieve the results you want.

The Use of Color and Light in Office Spaces

When it comes to designing a productive and inspiring workspace, paint matters more than most people realize. The right shades can reduce stress, sharpen focus, and even boost morale—while the wrong ones can contribute to fatigue, distraction, or low energy. The hues you choose for your interior spaces send subconscious signals that shape how people feel, think, and behave.

Color can make people feel more relaxed and at ease, which, in a business setting, can translate to greater productivity, sales, and revenue. In a recent study, two colors— warm greige (a grayish-beige, e.g., Agreeable Gray by Sherwin-Williams) and navy blues (such as Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore) tied for the best office colors. Grayish beige is an excellent choice for offices, as it creates a sense of warmth and simplicity. In contrast, dark blues such as navy encourage focus- a win-win in productivity-focused environments.

The visual perception of color is a nuanced phenomenon where many factors come into play. For instance, lighting plays a significant role in how different shades are perceived. Less lighting can make certain shades appear darker and gloomier, turning bright whites into grays and medium blues into midnight. In an environment where productivity and energy are essential, this could work against your goals. Make sure your lighting is optimized- bright but not too harsh and direct.

Natural light is best for supporting optimal energy levels and making paint tones appear bright. Fluorescent and LED bulbs cause physical and ocular fatigue. Minimize this type of lighting in environments that focus on productivity. Warm lighting can make paint appear more inviting and relaxing, while cool and neutral lighting can be more energizing and encourage focus.

Color Psychology in Business Spaces

In a commercial setting, paint does more than just decorate, it influences customer perception and drives business productivity. Specific colors can positively influence buying decisions, leading to greater revenue. It’s incredible what a fresh veneer of the right hue can do for business!

Customers who are more confident in a product are more likely to spend, and consistency in brand colors enhances consumer trust. This is important when building a brand for yourself and your business. Consistency in your color scheme can drive your brand’s image. Different colors impact your customers in different ways, and it’s important to know which colors influence buying and productivity in a positive manner.

Color psychology also has a significant impact on consumer behavior. Bright reds, for example, trigger impulse buys, while blue hues encourage thoughtfulness. In a controlled study conducted by Bellizi and Hite, the effects of red and blue were tested in a retail setting. Red was viewed as more aggressive with an adverse mental effect, while blue was found to be calm and cool, creating a positive effect on the buyers’ mind. More simulated purchases, fewer purchase postponements, and a stronger inclination to shop and browse were found in blue retail environments.

Let’s read about which color choices have the most goal-specific impact according to colorpsychology.org:

• Blues & Greens: foster trust and calm. These are popular in healthcare, finance, and corporate settings. Green also reduces eye strain, a plus in today’s screen filled workplace.
• Red: is bold and energizing. It can increase heart rate while creating a sense of urgency. Used in restaurants, gyms, and sales areas. Should be balanced with neutrals.
• Orange & Yellow: are stimulating and friendly. They can boost creativity and positivity in collaborative spaces. Best in small doses or as an accent.
• Black & Charcoal: are sophisticated and powerful. Often used for upscale branding but should be softened with lighter tones to avoid feeling cold.
• Neutral tones: (beige, taupe, gray) are professional, clean, and versatile. Perfect for offices and customer-facing businesses where focus and clarity matter.

Choose Color with Intention & Re-energize Your Bottom Line

The right painting contractor near me can help businesses and workplaces repaint and reimagine their environments through intentional, beautiful color choices. When interviewing professional painters, make sure they have experience working with offices, studios, and commercial spaces throughout the region.

Don’t just guess which colors may work best in your office or business setting. Our company can guide you in choosing the perfect palette for your space and apply each coat with care. Whether you're looking for a calming retreat, a space that sells, or ways to boost workplace productivity, we can help you achieve it. Let’s explore how color psychology can work in your office or business. Contact us today to get started!

Helpful Resources

1. 4 Colors That Give You an Unexpected Productivity Boost
2. 17 Best Paint Colors For An Office That Inspire Productivity
3. Top 4 Best Office Paint Colors for Productivity and Focus
4. I Asked Designers the Best Office Wall Color, and These Two Tied for First Place
5. The Psychology of Light: How Lighting Affects Your Well-Being
6. Environmental color, consumer feelings, and purchase likelihood
7. Color Psychology: A Guide for Designers, Marketers & Students
8. How Color Psychology Influences Consumer Behavior?