There are many environmental factors that can impact your focus when you are trying to do work, from the room temperature to ambient noise. However, did you know that the color of your walls can also improve your concentration? Studies have shown that certain colors improve focus when working or studying, while others are distracting and drag away your attention.
When you are redecorating your home office, study, or any other space in which you do a lot of work, keep these color principles in mind to optimize your work environment.
Choose Cooler Colors to Improve Concentration
If your primary struggle when working is losing focus, then cooler colors with low wavelengths can help you relax and focus more. One of the best colors for this purpose is green. Green reminds our brains of nature and relaxes our responses to stress, which in turn helps you devote more of your brain to the task at hand.
Green can also help restore your focus during an extended work session. A study conducted in 2015 found that students who took a break to look at a green roof performed better on a mindless repetitive task as opposed to those who looked at bare concrete. That is why green is a great color choice for a space in which you plan to spend a lot of time working, such as a study.
Another soothing color for maintaining long-term focus is blue. Blue is also relaxing and calming thanks to its cooler tones, but it helps boost your brain into a hyper-productive mode. Researchers found that people working in blue environments had a better time coping with complex tasks.
Warm Hues Can Boost Your Mood
Sometimes, after a long workday, your spirits start to flag. A bright hue such as orange can help improve your mood and motivate you to do better. Initial studies have also linked orange to better creativity. However, if you know you struggle with hyperactivity, orange may be too stimulating.
Avoid Distracting Colors
When painting your study, avoid colors that might take your focus away from your work. Intense warm colors such as red may boost your energy for short periods but are distracting when you are trying to work all day.
Even focus-boosting colors such as green, orange, and blue can distract you if you choose the wrong shade. Pick a lighter, muted shade or balance out your color scheme with plenty of neutral colors to prevent the paint from overwhelming your senses. Try to balance out the paint with accents from the opposite end of the color wheel as a monochromatic interior design is overwhelming when you have to spend hours in the same room.
Conclusion
The right shade of paint can improve your focus and boost your productivity—but the wrong choice in the hardware store could turn your study into a place of distraction. When redecorating, choose cooler, soothing colors such as green and blue or mood-boosting orange and reach for lighter, softer shades.