Choosing the perfect colour palette that aligns with the theme of the office can inspire creativity and enhance employees’ productivity. This article explores trendy office colour combinations suitable for different types of offices and areas. Besides, get tips for balancing bold colours and using accent walls with vibrant colours:
Trends in office colours for 2024
Office colour trends 2024 are shifting towards shades that balance modern aesthetics with functionality. Here are some quick recommendations for your office:
Emerald green
The striking undertones of emerald green make it a perfect addition to executive cabins and client meeting rooms. Symbolising progress, walls painted in this colour encourage out-of-the-box ideas, fostering success in business deals.
Deep terracotta
Terracotta has become a popular colour in interior design in recent years, and its popularity has carried over into office spaces. It can be used in several ways, such as accent walls, accessories, and furniture, to make your workspace stylish.
Mustard yellow
Yellow, a symbol of optimism, creativity, and positivity, is a timeless trendsetter. It is particularly effective for offices where innovation and problem-solving are essential.
Cool charcoal
This flexible, neutral shade provides a subtle foundation for your office. Its simple tones add visual intrigue without overpowering the space, making it perfect for open-plan and private workspaces.
Rust orange
Although not a popular choice in office space, it boosts enthusiasm, making it an excellent option for creative offices. If the room has a neutral backdrop, use this colour on the accent wall or furniture.
Warm coral
Warm coral is particularly effective for offices where teamwork and customer service are essential. It creates a welcoming and approachable atmosphere, promoting collaboration and communication.
Timeless colour schemes
Looking for some timeless colour schemes for your modern offices? Read on as we discuss the popular ones below:
Deep blue and white
The deep contrast between bold blue and crisp white creates a striking and inspiring ambience. It has been a popular colour choice for tech-focused offices.
Neutral beige and taupe
Beige and taupe are flexible neutrals that can be easily combined with other colours, offering endless customisation possibilities. Their subtle tones create a calming backdrop that enhances concentration and collaboration.
Monochromatic
Monochromatic colour schemes bring a sense of unity, vital for teamwork in an office space. You can explore monochromatic palettes to choose a colour that matches the vibe and theme of the workspace.
Earthy greens and browns
The colour pairing of greens and browns is particularly effective for offices located in urban areas. It brings a touch of nature into the office, offering a much-needed escape from the hustle and bustle.
Also Read: 30 Office Desk Plants to Improve Workplace Productivity
Colour recommendation for various work environments
Selecting the right colours for different work ambience enhances productivity, focus, and well-being. You can tailor the following colours to specific work settings to create an atmosphere that complements the space’s mood:
Bright orange for open-plan offices
Bright orange can be a vibrant and energising choice for open-plan offices. Its cheerful and optimistic tone can help create a productive work environment. Use it on accent walls, furniture, or decorative accents to add colour.
Powder blue for quiet rooms
A calming and soothing colour is ideal for quiet rooms like meditation or prayer areas. With its peaceful undertones, powder blue is an excellent choice for this area.
Mint green for break rooms
Mint green is popular for break rooms due to its refreshing and stimulating qualities. Its light and airy hue creates a calming and relaxing atmosphere, perfect for taking a break from work.
Salmon pink for reception
Receptions are vital for forming a positive first impression on clients and visitors. Salmon pink, a welcoming colour, is an excellent choice for reception areas as it promotes social interaction and puts visitors at ease.
Purple for executive offices
Purple, associated with royalty and power, can be used on walls or accent pieces to achieve a professional yet refined ambience in the executive office. Its inspiring tone promotes leadership and innovation, making it perfect for the CEO’s office.
Wall and floor colour recommendations
Choosing the right wall and floor colours can dramatically influence a room's atmosphere and perceived size. Here are some options to consider:
Soft white for small offices with limited light
Soft white is a popular shade for spaces with limited natural light due to its ability to reflect light. Light wood flooring adds texture to the space, elevating its visual appeal.
Light wood for small offices with limited light
Light wood floors can brighten a small office with limited natural light while adding a natural feel. Pair them with pastel walls to create a cohesive ambience.
Dark grey for medium offices with moderate light
Contrary to popular belief, dark tones do not work in moderate lighting. Dark grey enhances the room’s natural light. Pair it with a lighter floor colour, such as light wood or cream, to prevent the space from feeling too dark.
Deep blue for large offices with ample light
Large offices are usually filled with ample natural light, offering a canvas to bring out the richness of deep blue. Pair these walls with a neutral floor colour to balance its intensity.
Innovative colour pairings
Innovative colour pairings add a unique and visually interesting touch to your office. The following colour pairings help to create a space that is one-of-a-kind and reflects your style.
Chrome yellow and white
The bright tones of chrome yellow colour instantly lift the mood, while white provides a refreshed backdrop. This pairing is ideal for common areas or break rooms where a lively and energetic vibe is desired.
Ice blue and charcoal grey
Considered an unusual colour combination, the soft tones of ice blue are complemented by the dramatic contrast of charcoal grey. The contrast between the two colours adds visual interest, making it suitable for a contemporary office.
Coffee and brown
When paired, coffee and brown create a warm and inviting ambience in your office. Coffee’s rich tones add depth, while brown fills the space with a rustic charm.
Olive and cream
Pairing olive and cream for the office is a classic and timeless choice. The luminous backdrop of cream complements the earthy tones of olive, creating a balanced atmosphere perfect for the office.
Sage green and beige
Sage green, a muted and calming shade, pairs beautifully with the warm undertones of beige. This colour combination promotes a cheerful environment, and helps to set up a professional ambience in the office.
Tips on balancing bold colours with neutrals
Combining bold colours with neutrals can create a striking yet harmonious space. To achieve the perfect balance, consider these tips that help to enhance both style and cohesion:
- Design your space with neutral colours on walls and floors, and use bold colours for smaller accessories and decor
- Use a neutral colour like white, cream, grey, or beige as your base to create a balanced foundation for your bolder colour choices
- Limiting bold colours to one or two key areas will prevent the space from feeling chaotic and allow them to stand out effectively
- Select bold colours that complement each other on the colour wheel, such as analogous colours (blue, green, and yellow) or complementary colours (red and green)
- Bold colours should be used sparingly in smaller spaces to avoid making the room feel cramped
- Place bold colours in areas where you want to draw attention, such as focal points like a fireplace or a large piece of artwork
How to use accent walls or furniture to introduce vibrant colours?
Accent walls are suitable for introducing vibrant colours in the office space because they break the monotony of neutral shades. Here is what you can do:
Deep teal walls with ivory sofa set
Combining deep teal walls and an ivory sofa set creates a sophisticated and inviting atmosphere in a modern office. The rich depth of teal complements the subdued tones of ivory, creating a professional atmosphere.
Red accent wall with geometric pattern
Add a burst of energy to your office by pairing a red accent wall with geometric patterns painted in blue, green, or orange. The vibrant red tones inspire passion, while the geometric pattern adds character, making the workspace stand out and engaging.
Ombre walls with metallic furniture
Ombre walls with metallic furniture can create a unique and visually striking atmosphere in your office. The ombre walls add drama to the space, while the metallic furniture provides a touch of luxury in contemporary offices.
Office colour combination as per Vastu
When applied to office spaces, Vastu-suggested colours help to enhance productivity, creativity, and overall well-being. Here are some trendy options you can choose from:
Light green
Light green symbolises nature and has a calming and productive effect on the mind and brain. This quality makes it ideal for employees' cubicles, where brainstorming ideas can occur. Paint the cubicle walls or use light green artwork and decor to boost creativity.
Lavender
Lavender, with its soothing undertones, is associated with peace and calmness. A workspace in this colour helps to reduce stress and increase creativity.
Light blue
A light blue colour, linked to clarity and growth, is ideal for the north or northeast corner of the office. Having walls or artwork in this colour elevates focus and concentration, fostering productivity.
Yellow
Yellow is a cheerful colour that instantly boosts employees' morale and creativity. Associated with optimism, intelligence, and happiness, yellow’s warm undertones bring positivity to common areas or break rooms.
Ivory
Ivory is a flexible colour that can be used in any part of the office. It is suitable for meeting rooms due to its connection with focus and productivity.
Finally, choosing the right office colour combination is essential for creating a productive and inspiring workspace. Trends like emerald green and deep terracotta add vibrancy, while timeless colours like white or neutral beige and taupe offer a sense of professionalism and calm. Tailoring specific colours to different work areas further enhances the functionality of the office space.