Get the most out of your enviro-friendly home office
Choosing the best colours for productivity
As the globe warms and vehicle emissions continue to soar, more and more Canadians are choosing to reverse this harmful trend by limiting emissions from their daily commute by carpooling or taking public transportation. A growing number of workers are making an even bigger impact on the environment by choosing to work from a home office.
These responsible choices are helping to reduce harmful pollutants, but for those working from home it’s leaving them with adjustments to make in their daily routines and home décors.
According to Frank Collins, a copy writer for an advertising firm in Vancouver, working from home has many benefits but it also has its challenges like isolation and discipline. “There are no colleagues to chat with and the laundry and other chores are always calling so discipline is crucial,” he added. “Your office has to have sunlight and a door so you can shut out all the home distractions and create the most productive work environment possible.”
According to Dominique Pépin, Senior Brand Manager at Sico and member of the Colour Marketing Group, creating the ideal home work environment should start with the office’s colours.
“Study after study proves that colour affects all the senses, our moods and our productivity,” Pépin explains. “If you’re going to be working in this space you should ensure it’s a comfortable, stimulating and productive environment.”
Pépin says certain colours need to be avoided in home offices because of their negative effects. “Grey drains people’s energy levels making them apathetic in work environments. Also blue is not recommended because it leads to introspection and day dreaming, while too much white can cause headaches and make people drowsy.”
The goal is choosing colours wisely to facilitate work, leading to more productive energy-filled days. The best combination, she says, is a set of warm and cool colours that promote a balanced environment and an optimal level of stimulation at work. Colours such as Sico’s Baguette (6118-63), a warm amber yellow tone, promotes intellectual activity, memory and efficiency, while Blackcurrant syrup (6036-75), a fine wine colour, stimulates energy. Another popular option is a forest green, like Sico’s Zen Green (6168-73), because of its relaxing and stress reducing qualities.
For the paint itself Pépin suggests Sico Chamois, a beautifully durable paint that retains its fresh look even with repeated washing. However, the most important characteristic of this paint is that its formula is now VOC (volatile organic compound) emission-free. VOCs are atmospheric pollutants that contribute to the formation of smog. “In the home, VOCs evaporate while paint is applied and drying, making them one of the pollutants affecting a home’s air quality as well,” Pépin explained. “Consumers using any of our new design finishes will actually be improving the quality of air in their homes as well as the environment.” This is of great importance to those working in their enviro-friendly home offices.
Credit: http://www.newscanada.com