By Vamsidharr Setty – Managing Director India, The Senator Group
It is important to consider functionality as well as beauty, while designing workspaces to ensure all employees feel welcomed, at ease and able to perform to the best of their ability. This means selecting products and colours that will serve their needs and help to improve their well-being and productivity.
People spend 80-90% of their time indoors and for many, a large proportion of this is spent at work. It is therefore crucial that office spaces are carefully designed to ensure that all occupants feel comfortable and inspired to do their very best each day.
When designing workspaces, it is important to assess each area of the office and identify how it will be used, as this will influence the design requirements. For example, in the main work areas and meeting rooms, employees are more likely to need concentration spaces, whereas break out areas may be designed to help people unwind or relax. However, it is also important to provide a mix of neutral and visually stimulating spaces, to provide employees with a choice on where they want to work, as everyone will have a personal preference, and there are also cultural associations with different colours. This is a particularly important factor for neurodivergent people as some might prefer calm spaces, while others might thrive in a workplace with brighter tones on the walls.
A great place to start is with a Biophilic colour palette, which reflects the balance and spectrum of colours found outdoors. By echoing the colours of nature, designers can begin to offset the sterile feel of a tech dominated space and help create an environment employees want to spend time in.
Entrances and lobbies…
Entrances and lobbies are the first space people will encounter when entering a building. First impressions count, which means it is essential to set the right atmosphere in these areas. Depending on what your business or brand stands for, you might want to create an uplifting atmosphere and if so, then brighter tones will be the perfect option. On the other hand, if you want to create a more down-to-earth and trustworthy welcome, then muted shades of blues or greens may be best.
The office…
Colour can be a great tool for improving focus and boosting productivity. In fact, carefully selecting colours for a workspace can positively impact employee productivity, engagement, creativity, and happiness. However, colours with high contrast and excessive brightness can strain eyes over time, which can lead to discomfort and fatigue. As such, it is recommended that nature-inspired shades should be applied to surfaces that are to be viewed for extended periods. This is because nature-inspired tones typically have softer contrasts and lower brightness levels, which allow for a more visually comfortable working environment
to be developed.
Break out spaces…
Everyone needs some downtime during the workday and colour can be used to help people relax. For break out spaces or areas like the kitchen that might be used during breaks, consider warmer shades that feel homely and welcoming. Brighter colours or deeper colours work well – especially when complemented by a creamy neutral tone.
Conclusion
In conclusion, placing occupants at the center of colour and design is crucial to ensuring office spaces work for everyone. Using colour to lift peopleโs moods and help them make the most of their downtime, is just as important as creating a link back to nature to support productivity and well-being in the work area.
(About the Author : Vamsidharr Setty is the Managing Director India of The Senator Group, one of the world’s largest office furniture manufacturers offering a wide range of products including desking, seating, and specialist products, with a focus on improving workplace environments. He has more than 21 yearsโ experience and leadership in Sales, Manufacturing, Marketing & Tech (in Global Office Furniture &Tech Industries).
The view expressed in the column are of the author, and may or may not be endorsed by the publication.
