THE PRODUCTIVE PALETTE
COLOUR EXPERT PATRICK O’DONNELL ON HUES THAT BOOST FOCUS AND CREATIVITY
Using colour to inspire calm and clarity or supercharge concentration and creativity
GREEN is an effective colour in all its shades, inspiring thought and logic, and perfect for dealing with your daily tasks.
Choose inky BLUES to enclose a space and reduce distraction – ideal for those who are working with data and stats. Blue can also be relaxing, especially at the paler end of the spectrum.
Earthy BROWNS are often a surprising choice for creating calm spaces but, when teamed with natural materials such as wood, these hues engender a sense of zen-like tranquillity.
ORANGE is a great colour for the creative mind. It inspires and energises. If you’d rather not commit to a whole orange room try colour-blocking on one wall only.
For purity and clarity in your work zone, WHITE is the easiest option, especially if you’re nervous about taking on too much colour in the space.
GREY makes a south-facing box room feel bigger when you use the same shade on walls and ceiling to minimise surface contrast. This also works for dark colours in smaller spaces.
Steer clear of the brighter PINKS and consider browner, duskier rose hues – soft nostalgic shades that can encourage inner peace and quietude.
YELLOWS inspire happiness and positivity with a joyful palette from pale soft lemons to rich ochre shades. They cannot fail to lift the spirits.
CORAL sits somewhere between pink and orange. It shares characteristic associations of both with a good dose of warmth – perfectly cosy and invigorating.
BLACK is an unexpected colour for a study but used judiciously and teamed with white woodwork, in a tone such as Farrow & Ball’s Wevet, it feels elegant and non-distracting. Off-black by Farrow & Ball is a sophisticated charcoal with a note of blue.