Whether you’re the owner of a commercial office or a work-from-home employee, having an office that inspires you to do your best work is important. Depending on the colour you choose, a simple coat of paint can instill calmness, boost morale, and even change the perceived size of your office. But, choosing the wrong colour can have an equally negative impact. To ensure you get it right, here are the five top factors to consider before choosing an office paint colour.
Size Of Your Office Space
The size of your office has a big impact on the colour you pick. For example, if you’re painting a large commercial office space, choosing all-white walls could feel a little dull and uninspired. However, if you’re painting a small home office, neutral colours like white and gray will help make the space appear bigger and brighter. If your heart is set on white paint regardless of the size of your office, consider adding an accent colour to break up large spaces.
Your Reason For Painting
Before you settle on a colour, take some time to consider why you want to paint your office in the first place. The power of colour is remarkable and having clear goals will help you narrow down your paint colour options. For example, say you want to be more productive while working from home– cool, calming colours such as blue, purple, and green can help. If you’re looking to boost creativity, a warmer colour such as yellow or orange is your best bet.
Lighting
Studies show that having access to natural light while you’re working reduces stress and boosts happiness. So having as much natural lighting in your office as possible is a must. But did you know lighting has a huge impact on the way your paint colour appears? When choosing an office paint colour, consider the following:
North-facing windows: offer indirect, soft light that adds warmth and highlights bold colours well, meaning there’s no reason to shy away from darker tones.
South-facing windows: offer intense natural light that works well with both warm and cool-toned colours. This lighting can easily wash out lighter neutral paints but will make darker colours appear brighter.
West-facing windows: receive beautiful golden light in the afternoons, making it perfect for cool-toned colours like green. If you’re using your office mainly in the morning when west-facing windows receive little light, opt for a warmer colour like red or orange instead.
East-facing windows: have the brightest morning light but tend to offer cooler light in the afternoons. Dark colours will be intensified in this morning light, but if you’re working primarily in the afternoons you might want to opt for something lighter and warmer.
Existing Furniture
The colour pallet of your existing office furniture and decor will also help inform which office paint colour is right for you. Remember to choose paint colours that mesh well with what you already own for a cohesive working environment.
Branding
As a business owner, incorporating your branding into your home or commercial office is essential, especially if you plan to see clients in the space. Remember to share your brand’s colour pallet with your painter so you can work together on picking an office colour that truly represents your business.
Office Paint Colours That Inspire
Still can’t settle on an office paint colour? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Book a free colour consultation with one of our Encore Painting designers today and we’ll help you find the paint colour you’ve been waiting for.