business interiors – how to use orange in the workplace

Karen Haller 01
Karen Haller

Business interiors – orange – reception. This opens a new browser window.

Following this month’s theme of Pantone’s colour of the year, I thought I’d look at how orange can be used in the business environment. So whether it’s your branding colour or not, there are still ways to incorporate orange into the workplace or your home office.

positive psychological qualities
Orange is a combination of red and yellow. Yellow positively communicates fun, happiness, cheerful and optimism while red’s positive qualities express energy, stamina, strength and excitement.

When you have orange you get a combination of these qualities to produce a colour that is warm, friendly, fun and playful.

the downside
Too much orange or using the wrong tone in combination with other colours and it can begin to appear a bit frivolous, not taking things seriously.

Depending on the strength of the colour it will influence the intensity of the psychological qualities. You will experience a very different feeling when you look at Pantone’s Tangerine Tango compared to that of soft orange such as peach or apricot or even an autumnal pumpkin orange.

in the workplace
If orange is your brand colour incorporating it into your client facing areas such as the reception is a great way to subliminally reinforce brand awareness.  And if it’s not, then using a touch of orange can create an open, friendly environment.

Business interiors - orange - reception. This opens a new browser window.

Using your brand colour to subliminally reinforce your brand personality.

Business interiors - orange - reception meeting area. This opens a new browser window.

A touch of orange in the meeting area helps to promote friendly conversation which is a great help to those waiting for that all important meeting or job interview.

home office
Working from home do you find yourself needing a bit of an energy boost to keep your motivation going? A splash of orange may be just the injection of colour you need. Whilst Pantone’s Tangerine Tango is bright and lively, this tone won’t be right for everyone, so if you’re looking for an orange, pick one that resonates with you. Just add a splash through introducing one or accessories.

Business interiors - orange - home office.


Does your business have the personality to carry off orange?

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2 Comments

  1. Nick Haines on February 2, 2012 at 9:24 am

    Wonderful ! I am going to look at my office

    • admin on February 7, 2012 at 1:02 pm

      Hi Nick,

      Would love to know what you decided on x

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