How Furniture Colours Impact Productivity

Colour is frequently used in language to convey complex feelings, phrases such as "feeling blue", "seeing red" or "green with envy" are commonplace.

The colours we surround ourselves with influence our mood, energy levels and even our cognitive functions, but it can often be overlooked in office design.

In this article we will explore the psychology of colour in office spaces; whether it’s desks, chairs, or cabinets, each piece of furniture can contribute to the overall atmosphere and productivity levels in the workplace.

Blue: Calm, Focus and Productivity

Blue is widely regarded as one of the most effective colours for promoting focus and concentration. It’s often associated with calmness, stability and trustworthiness. Studies have shown that blue can lower heart rate and reduce feelings of stress, making it ideal for work environments that require deep thinking, problem-solving and analytical tasks.

If your office is focused on tasks that require long hours of concentration, such as research, writing, or design, incorporating blue furniture—such as chairs, desks, or even filing cabinets—can help enhance productivity and maintain a calm atmosphere.

Best Use: Blue works well in meeting rooms, personal workspaces and quiet areas designed for focused work.

Boston Chairs (Blue and White)

Red: Energy, Motivation and Creativity

Red is a high-energy colour associated with power, passion and excitement. It stimulates the mind and body, increasing heart rate and encouraging action. This makes red a great colour for areas where you want to inspire energy, motivation and creativity.

In an office, red furniture can be used in collaborative spaces, brainstorming rooms or creative hubs where employees need to feel inspired and energised. It can spark creative thinking and encourage a sense of urgency, which can be crucial in fast-paced work environments.

Best Use: Red is ideal for spaces where collaboration, innovation, and brainstorming take place, but recommended to be used in moderation to avoid overwhelming employees.

Canopy Split Level Table in White Oak with Deep Teal legs and Miami red stools

Green: Balance, Harmony and Focus

Green is a colour that evokes a sense of calmness and balance, making it one of the most soothing colours to have in an office. It’s often associated with nature, growth and renewal, and can help reduce anxiety and mental fatigue. Green is known to enhance focus and creativity while promoting a balanced and harmonious work environment.

For an office that requires employees to juggle multiple tasks or collaborate on various projects, green furniture can help maintain mental clarity and promote relaxation. It’s particularly useful for spaces where employees need to stay focused for long hours or in high-pressure situations.

Best Use: Green is ideal for desks, chairs or even wall accents in areas where focus and collaboration are essential.

Gianni Bench Desks in Halifax Oak with Black legs and green screen dividers

Yellow: Optimism, Creativity and Attention

Yellow is often linked to optimism, happiness and intellectual energy. It can stimulate creativity and encourage positive thinking. However, too much yellow can be overwhelming, so it's best used in smaller doses or in areas that need to feel uplifting and motivating.

In the workplace, yellow furniture can be used to inspire new ideas and innovation, making it a great choice for creative teams, brainstorming sessions or collaborative spaces. However, it’s essential to pair yellow with more neutral tones to prevent the space from becoming too intense.

Best Use: Yellow works well for accent furniture in areas designed to boost creativity, such as meeting rooms, lounges or design studios.

Solo Desk in White with Silver legs and yellow desk chairs

Grey: Neutrality, Professionalism and Flexibility

Grey is a neutral and sophisticated colour that can evoke a sense of professionalism and balance. While grey may not be as stimulating as other colours, it creates a calm and organised atmosphere that helps reduce distractions. It’s a versatile colour that pairs well with other hues and complements various office design styles.

In office furniture, grey is often used for desks, chairs and storage units. It provides a neutral backdrop that allows other colours and design elements to stand out. It’s particularly useful for offices with a minimalist or modern aesthetic.

Best Use: Grey is perfect for executive offices, boardrooms and workspaces that need to maintain a high level of professionalism while offering flexibility.

Park Panel End Bench in Concrete and White

White: Cleanliness, Clarity, and Simplicity

White represents clarity, simplicity and purity. It can create a clean and organised atmosphere, which is essential for maintaining focus and productivity. White office furniture is often associated with modern, minimalist design and can help make a space feel more open and airy. However, too much white can feel sterile, so it’s best used in combination with other colours.

Incorporating white furniture in an office space can help increase clarity and organisation, making it an ideal choice for offices that deal with large volumes of information or require a high level of precision.

Best Use: White works well in modern offices, open-plan spaces or areas where cleanliness and simplicity are paramount.

40 Diameter Welded Tables with Tulsa Chairs in white

Choosing the right furniture colours for your office is more than just an aesthetic decision. By embracing the psychology of colour, you can create an office environment that supports your team’s needs and enhances their performance. Get in touch with Hawk Furniture today and we can help you to utilise our MFC and metalwork colour options to transform your workspace.