At YesColours, we believe colour is more than visual. It is emotional, psychological and deeply sensory. In the world of workplace wellbeing, it can be a powerful but often underestimated tool. That is why we invited corporate wellbeing consultant Dawn Barnes to share her expertise on how colour can transform how people feel, connect and perform at work.
From creating spaces for mindfulness to fostering social connection and building a sense of belonging, Dawn explores how intentional use of colour can positively shape the modern workplace experience.
How Can Colour Support Mindfulness and Wellbeing in Corporate Interiors?
As a corporate wellbeing expert, I’m passionate about creating workplaces where employees feel at their best so they can perform at their best. Colour, when used thoughtfully, can be a quiet yet powerful way to transform how people feel and function at work.
Colour plays a subtle yet powerful role in creating work environments that support employee wellbeing, yet it’s often overlooked in office design. Forward-thinking organisations are recognising that colour can gently reinforce positive mental health at work.
When we think about mindfulness as a wellbeing practice, it’s fundamentally about moving away from autopilot mode to grounding ourselves in the present. I’m thrilled to see more employers encouraging mindfulness at work (which I fully support!). Calm, intentional colour choices, such as, soft greens, serene neutrals and muted blues help set that tone in the background. They don’t distract or overwhelm staff. Instead, they create space for some stillness and presence - vital ingredients for mental clarity, focus and concentration throughout the working day.
In my work with corporate teams, I see firsthand the positive difference it makes when employees have access to spaces that help them feel calm, focused and refreshed and colour is such a simple, effective way to support that.
The Quad - Bracknell - ONE Lexicon
What Impact Does Colour Have on Mood and Productivity at Work?
Colour and your working environment, in general, have an immediate impact on how you feel. Notice your own energy levels when you walk into a bright, airy, spacious room compared to entering a dark, cluttered or cramped one.
How you feel then impacts how you behave. How you behave then impacts how you perform. So, if the colours around you influence how you initially feel and your mood (often without you even realising), they’re also influencing your energy levels, mental clarity and ultimately your productivity.
For example, blue is widely associated with productivity and calmness, making it ideal for focused work areas. Green is very restorative and balancing, ideal for breakout areas or quiet rooms. On the other hand, energising colours like orange or vibrant yellow can help lift your mood and spark conversation which are excellent for collaborative spaces.
When organisations use colour intentionally as a wellbeing tool, they help their teams feel better and work better.
How Is Colour Currently Used to Promote Wellbeing in Corporate Environments?
Many organisations use their brand colour palette in some way when decorating their offices but brand colours aren’t always aligned with wellbeing. The most progressive companies are becoming more aware of this and designing areas specifically to support mental health and wellbeing.
We’re seeing more 'quiet rooms' and 'zen zones' with intentionally selected colour schemes to promote calm and relaxation. Nurturing greens and gentle blues, for example, create a sense of psychological safety and peace of mind.
A great example is the Quad co-working space at The Lexicon in Bracknell – it’s a beautiful showcase of how design and colour can come together to create an inviting, relaxed and productive workspace.
By contrast, all-white, clinical office environments may look clean but they often feel cold and uninspiring. In today’s hybrid working world, where employees increasingly report feeling disconnected or overlooked, it’s more important than ever to create spaces that feel human and welcoming.
In What Ways Can Colour Encourage Social Connection Among Employees?
Beyond individual desks and meeting rooms, communal areas such as the kitchen or staff restaurant can use bright happy, stimulating colours to encourage social connection for staff. Warm oranges and sunny yellows work well.
Connection is one of the most important protective factors for mental health, yet it’s something many hybrid workplaces are struggling with. People perform well when they feel part of a loyal team and have positive friendships at work, not just showing up to get the job done.
Colour can really play a supporting role in helping to create these feel-good social spaces where people want to pause, chat and recharge.
The Quad - Bracknell - ONE Lexicon
How Can Interior Design Use Colour to Build a Sense of Community in the Workplace?
Connecting with nature has been proven to help improve our mental health. Note how you feel after a walk outside or listening to the sounds of the sea. Even just looking at images of natural scenes can help lower stress and induce pleasant feelings. Colour is a brilliant way to bring those benefits into the workplace, bringing that sense of nature further by combining interior design with plants, wood textures and natural light.
By using colours found in nature like nourishing greens, ocean blues and earthy tones you can soften the feel of tech-heavy, bland office spaces and create a more balanced, welcoming environment.
This kind of thoughtful design builds more than just a nicer aesthetic. It supports a culture where people feel grounded, valued and part of something bigger, all of which are really important in building a sense of community and belonging at work (which has been missing in many businesses post-pandemic).
The Quad - Bracknell - ONE Lexicon
Colour With Purpose.
Thank you to Dawn Barnes for sharing such thoughtful insights on the connection between colour and corporate wellbeing. At YesColours, we are committed to helping organisations use colour with purpose. Not just to enhance interiors, but to support the people who use them every day.
Whether you are designing a quiet focus zone, a collaborative meeting space or a more welcoming communal area, the colours you choose can make a genuine difference. When we design with wellbeing in mind, we create more than beautiful offices. We create better working lives.
If you're curious about how colour could support wellbeing in your workspace, our colour experts would love to guide you. We offer personal, considered advice to help you choose colours that feel right for the people who use the space every day.
