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The Color of Your Office Affects Your Productivity, Even if You Don't Realize It

Updated 6/19/2020
The Color of Your Office Affects Your Productivity, Even if You Don't Realize It
Spoiler: White walls are the worst for you.

As much as our productivity depends on learning how to focus our minds and mastering time-saving hacks, sometimes it’s the small—and often times unnoticed—things that boost our efficiency. I’m talking about things like room temperature, desk supplies, and that cup of Starbucks coffee you get every morning before work.

In the same way that small touches help us to be more productive, they can also hurt our efficiency. Research by The Center for Health Design shows that white office walls affect our focus since they resemble “clinical” settings and give off “eerie” vibes. So, if you’ve been having trouble getting work done in your everything-white office recently—well, you just might be able to blame those bland walls.

Thankfully, Taskworld completed a study revealing the colors that have been proven to improve our efficiency. Check out the infographic below to discover the best color for your line of work. And, if a complete office color makeover is impossible, you can at least maximize your productivity by redecorating your desk space.


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A board member of Columbia Organization of Rising Entrepreneurs, Kat is either hosting inspiring founders or trekking across cities (Silicon Valley and London, anyone?) to discover the hottest startups. And, when she’s not putting together large-group gatherings for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Kat is planning food excursions to discover the best Taiwanese beef noodle soup in NYC. The only thing she loves almost as much as crafting content as an Editorial Intern at The Muse is studying content as an English Major at Columbia University. Say hi on Twitter @katxmoon.
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