The Impact of Color on Office Design

With the announcement of Pantone’s 2018 Color of the Year, our recently updated 2018 Fabric Inspiration Guide, and the brand new fabric options HON introduced this month, it’s clear that we’re excited about color in the workplace this year!

Understanding the psychology of colors and how they influence emotions, it is important to consider the energy you want your office design to convey or the way your brand colors make your employees and customers feel. Blue, for example, incites calmness and serenity. This color might be a good fit for a breakroom or waiting area. Colors like green, orange and yellow that are known to increase happiness might complement open plan spaces and high-productivity environments. Maybe you work for a company that finds importance in wealth and sophistication. If that’s the case, choosing colors like purple and black can give off a sense of authority and prosperity.

Once you’ve selected a color, you then need to decide on patterns and textures. Some patterns are bold, but when paired with a cool, neutral color like gray can become more toned down and harmonious. It’s important to find the right balance of colors, fabrics and finishes to make sure everything feels like it belongs in the space. Looking to show unity in a collaborative work environment? Choosing the same color palette throughout the office might be the way to go. Want to differentiate between departments? Alternate between solid colors and bold prints for each group while using the same base color to help maintain a cohesive look throughout the space. I recommend staying away from overwhelming a space with too many patterns or too many solid colors – usually a nice mix of both will lead to a better result.

Looking for some color inspiration? Check out our latest fabric introductions and updated color palettes to find the design solutions that will make your workspace a place where your employees can enjoy what they do in a place they love.

4 Ways to Add Some Color to Your Work Day

Here in the cold Midwest, it’s easy to fall into a boring routine during the winter months. Every day is a battle to stay warm. Thick tights and tall boots conquer my wardrobe in drab colors. I drink black coffee every morning. But it doesn’t have to be this way! Here are some of my favorite ideas for injecting a little color into your work day:

1. Recharge your wardrobe with the color of the year: Pantone’s Marsala. Invest in a warm scarf, shoes or bag in this versatile winter color. Don’t worry, it will transition just as well to the spring and summer months. If you’re not sure if Marsala is for you, try adding a pop of color someplace small like nail polish, lipstick, or a pocket square.

2. Why not drink your black coffee out of a colorful mug? Years ago a HON friend gifted me with a bright superhero mug to make my mornings more cheerful. Not only do I think of her with every sip of coffee, but it brightens up my desk (and day!)

3. One easy way to add some color to your day is switching up your office supplies. Grab some funky Post-it® notes. Trade in your black pen for purple. Use a pink highlighter. You might be surprised how the little things can put pep in your step.

4. HON partners with Momentum Fabrics to offer several great seating fabrics with Marsala tones. Some of my favorites are Momentum Millennium Cerise, Momentum Tradition Malbec, and Momentum Marathon Pinot. Ask our friendly designers to inject some color into your workspace today!

Did you know that all of Pantone’s Colors of the Year for the last 4 years are available in Momentum fabrics from HON? Keep your workspace stylish and on trend with the year’s hottest colors. Check out the Momentum Color Card on hon.com today.

What are some ways you add color to your workday? How do you add Pantone’s Color of the Year, Marsala, into your office or wardrobe?