Nothing is more energising than sunshine coming through the window just when you’ve woken up. Instantly, your thoughts are more positive and your day gets better.
But what can you do when autumn comes, followed by winter? When the world is cloudy and wet outside your window? Some people find music helpful, others are stimulated by physical activity. And how can you transfer the energy of the summer into your workplace? Colours can be helpful – if chosen well, they can bring up summertime memories. This can be achieved by using bright colours, especially the combination of yellow and white.
A survey of 2,000 office workers from various industries and professions has shown that 9 out of 10 respondents believe that the quality of the workplace affects their attitude, job satisfaction and productivity. Thereby, a company is more competitive when it offers high quality workplace environment.*
Yellow is optimistic, so it is a good idea to use it when arranging individual workstations. It activates the mind and stimulates people to act, even when used merely as a part of an arrangement, such as an ecological desk panel. By adding one, you will make the interior feel warm and radiant, because yellow is the colour of the sun. It is also a great option for individuals working in artistic professions, and for brainstorming rooms or meeting areas. With its cheerful associations, the colour encourages people to talk and spend time in the company of others. But be careful: even though yellow brightens up and enlivens the interior, it can be overwhelming when over-used.
White offers endless possibilities, bringing to mind a blank page that waits to be filled with ideas and experiences. It gives freedom and space to work, stimulating creativity. White also stands for universality, lightness and elegance. Some would say that white actually demands the company of other colours. The formal character of white furniture can be easily softened with any colour, because white matches everything.
“A combination of white, with its ability to make any interior look bigger and brighter, with yellow, a colour that is extremely warm and evokes a lot of positive energy, joy and optimism, will be a perfect choice for open spaces. This combination improves the ability to concentrate and memorise, and stimulates the work of a person’s brain” says our architect Dominika Kukieła.
Like the colour white, the CS5040 desk is a synonym of minimalism and versatility. It fits perfectly into any climate and style of work. The name of the system is made up of abbreviations referring to the properties of the product line: minimalist and simple design (Compact design) and clever functionalities (Smart solutions). Because of the freedom of configuration, you can either keep the classic elegant look of your desk or combine it with a panel colour that will help you relax or liven up at work.
How can you benefit from experimenting with colours in your office? Find out from other episodes of our #SummerOffice series on creative arrangements and moving summertime memories into your workplace.
*Hughes, J. (2007). Office Design is Key to Employee Productivity. http://hughesmarino.com/san-diego/blog/2007/07/02/office-design-is-key-to-employeeproductivity/