Office colour choices could be undermining productivity, experts warn

Workplace experts have urged employers to rethink colours used in office spaces, as nearly a third of UK office workers said workplace design is reducing their productivity.

Savills research cited by flexible workspace provider Co-Space found 32% of UK office workers believe their workplace’s design and layout actively reduces productivity, rising to 45% among employees working in hot-desking environments.

Co-Space said studies show employees working in enriched environments are 17% more productive than those in lean workspaces, increasing to 32% when employees have input into the design of their surroundings.

The company has developed an office colour guide drawing on environmental psychology, workplace wellbeing and colour research, arguing employers should match colour schemes to the type of work each space is intended to support.

It said many offices continue to rely on grey and white interiors despite research linking those environments with lower mood and increased fatigue.

Separate studies also suggested employees working in colour-optimised environments can be up to 15% more productive than those in poorly designed spaces.

William Stokes, founder of Co-Space, said: “We see this all the time. Businesses invest in premium furniture and the latest technology, then surround their teams with nothing but grey walls and white ceilings.

“It looks clean in a brochure, but it’s neurologically flat. The brain needs visual stimulation to stay engaged, not chaos, but considered, purposeful colour.