During the COVID-19 pandemic, many companies switched to flexible schedules or outright requested that employees work for home if their jobs permitted them to. However, now that the pandemic has moved into the background, some employers are requiring employees to return to the office, mostly on a part-time basis.

With hybrid work the new normal, creating a positive workspace is a good idea for employers. Michelle Hendrickson, PPG color and design specialist, notes that colors bring special feelings to people, whether it is boosting creativity and productivity or helping to keep a sense of calm.

“COVID-19 made remote work more mainstream than ever before, and businesses and employees alike saw that productivity could continue from spaces outside of the traditional office setting,” Hendrickson observed. “For many, working remotely meant working from the comfort of home. This meant that homes were transformed into multipurpose spaces to accommodate for new learning and working space needs.

“As hybrid work is the new norm, building and office managers need to be savvy about creating a positive workspace that maintains a focus on mindfulness, but also contributes to increased productivity and in-person collaboration,” she added. “Incorporating color into workspaces, whether through a new coat of paint on the walls, adding in artwork or even accent furniture pieces, is an easy and affordable way to ease the stress of office work and create a welcoming environment.”

We know that color has the ability to impact the mood felt in a space and influence activity. Because of color’s influence, PPG recommends the following hues for workspaces:

• Calming Space – Blues
“Blue is a calming color, ideal for inspiring focus and increasing output,” Hendrickson said. “Facility managers and office owners can create a soothing sanctuary for workers by incorporating blue hues into the design of their spaces. For instance, painting all four walls of a room, or even just one accent wall, with a pale blue color like Blue Bows (PPG1158-3), can promote mindfulness for occupants of the room.”

• Boosting Creativity – Yellows
Hendrickson pointed out that similar to how blues can be used to create a sense of calm and sanctuary, yellows can evoke energy and creative thinking.

“Because yellow promotes happiness and can increase creativity, it’s an ideal shade for a workspace used for collaboration,” Hendrickson added. “Office managers should consider incorporating yellow into spaces where brainstorming sessions might occur, like conference rooms and other meeting areas. PPG’s 2024 Color of the Year, Limitless (PPG1091-3), is the perfect buttery hue to infuse energy into collaborative spaces.”

• Stimulating Productivity – Reds
Red can evoke a sense of urgency, which can be great for physically demanding jobs.

“While not for the faint of heart, Brick Dust (PPG1056-7) is a bold and courageous color that is bound to boost the work rate in the office,” Hendrickson pointed out. “Because reds are well-suited for hands-on tasks, facility managers might consider incorporating them into warehouse or plant areas of facilities. However, because red is such a strong, stimulating color, a little bit of it goes a long way, so I would suggest using it sparingly to not overwhelm a space or its employees.”

• Promoting Balance – Greens
Hendrickson noted that office buildings provide the space for workers to perform a large array of tasks. Sometimes a calming, quiet environment is needed for individuals to focus on independent work, while other times a creativity-boosting layout is required to spark ideas and promote collaboration.

“Because so many different activities are happening in a single building, it’s important the office designs find an appropriate balance,” she observed. “Green is a color that provides balance and reassurance, which is a great combination in any office space. A nice, earthy green like English Ivy (PPG1134-6) offers a tranquil canvas that won’t distract from the tasks at hand.”

So, what colors would visitors to PPG find waiting for them?

“PPG’s Architectural Coatings headquarters, located in Cranberry, PA, welcomes guests and employees with the 2024 Color of the Year, Limitless, featured prominently at the main entrance,” said Hendrickson. “The on-trend hue makes a vibrant, energetic first impression. Beyond the front entrance, PPG highlights several color palettes throughout the Architectural Coatings building, with a focus on grounding blues, calming greens and neutrals in conference rooms and by-ways.

“PPG’s Corporate Headquarters building, located in Pittsburgh, PA, is a good example of how light and color can be combined to convey a mood in a space,” added Hendrickson. “The building’s newly renovated 40th floor premier meeting space features floor to ceiling windows, allowing natural light to call attention to energizing colors like the vibrant blue of the PPG logo and the deeper blues of the walls and open kitchen back splash.”