Color Me Happy

Have you ever considered how your employees feel about spending eight hours a day in a less than inspiring space? Are the walls of your office white? Or painted a dull gray because it seems like a safe choice?

If so, it's high time to bring some life to your drab office environment.Adding color to your decor energizes the space and the people in it. Décor decisions also help define a space, not only in terms of architectural features, but also in functionality. Even if your office is already colorful, you need to make sure to incorporate the right colors that will motivate and support your business goals.

You can make smart color choices when it comes to your office's paint, paneling, flooring, furniture, art, and decorative accessories. Use splashes of color and pattern to add personal touches that comfort and enliven you and your employees. You can also project a memorable image to your clients.

The Impact of Color

With so many choices, how do you know what colors to use? Consider how these colors impact mood, productivity, profit, concentration, and even energy consumption!

Yellow adds warmth, clarity, and vibrancy to any environment. You can use white next to yellow to tone down its intensity.

Red brings passion and vitality to your office space. But be careful not to overwhelm your space with too much of this powerful color.

Blue considered a "cool" shade, blue is calming and comforting to the onlooker. It reminds people of the sky and the ocean. Intense shades of blue can also prove to be stimulating.

Green can be crisp and fresh — in the case of a more saturated shade. It can also create a soft and serene sensation, as is the case with lighter or more muted greens.

Neutrals include colors such as beiges, tans, and creams. They make great background colors when juxtaposed with more vibrant shades in the form of patterned curtains and cushions, or colorful artwork.

Earth Tones include umbers, siennas, browns, and terracotta. They help you bring the feeling of the outdoors inside. Most people find a touch of nature both serene and invigorating. It certainly helps combat the feeling of being "trapped" indoors all day. Using earth-toned objects made of natural materials such as sisal throw rugs further enhance this liberating effect.

Keep in mind that selecting colors with the same chromatic value will create a feeling of harmony. While contrasting colors often create an eye-opening visual impact.

Remember, your color choices have the power to influence your staff members' mood, stress level, and productivity. All of which, when adjusted for the better, will positively impact your productivity. Studies have shown that employees in visually uplifting workplaces enthusiastically assume the same tasks they formerly resisted or complained about in previously dreary work environments.

The color you select can even result in cost savings, since light colors reflect natural and artificial light enabling you to use fewer lamps and less heating. Color can also help preserve energy and reduce your utility bills.

Material Choices

When adding color to your office space, don't just think paint. Consider coordinating these items to add the perfect blend of color, pattern, and texture to your place:

• Paneling
• Wallpaper
• Flooring
• Furniture
• Art and Accessories

Define the Space

Defining a space primarily involves making smart decisions about the placement of objects and decorative accents. An important factor to keep in mind is the flow of the space. Are there clear pathways to and from equipment? Likewise, objects that are frequently used in combination should be grouped together.

You can also get creative and use colorful touches to help define your space. For instance a bright red accent wall defines where the action is. It can serve as a great backdrop for high traffic areas in the office place. Smooth, durable, light-colored flooring with ample shock absorbance can carve both a visual and tactical path through such vital areas, adding a spring to the step of any employee on the go.

Office areas set aside for quiet concentration can feature soothing decorative accents like blue and green glass bottles perched on a windowsill. These objects evoke a sense of calm, soothing frazzled nerves.

Giving a decorative flair to your office space does more than just set the mood for you and your employees. It speaks volumes to your clients. Is your company calm, cool, and collected? Or, is it fast-paced, cutting-edge, and action oriented? How about a combination of both? Your office décor is an invaluable form of advertising that allows you to express and reinforce your business's point of view.

If you would like assistance setting your office tone, contact our professional staff at 1.888.CE TODAYor visit us online at www.CEBInteriors.com for more information. If this newsletter was forwarded to you and you'd like to sign up to receive it, simply click on the "Subscribe" button at the bottom of this page.

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