These factors can create many different effects on workers. Many use red in the workplace as an accent color, this works well because of how bold the color is. It’s a terrific accent color to spur on some of the other more relaxing colors. Designers use this to their advantage with creating spaces that are mainly used recreationally. This works because it becomes psychologically uncomfortable to remain in, so employees return to their work faster. Painting an entire space red can create an uncomfortable urgency and anxiety in your workers. 

Try incorporating some red in certain areas of your office. Start small and see how it influences your workers. Are they drawn to it? Finding the perfect balance between two colors can create an attractive work environment where you will find a lot of the office working well within the space. Take notice to where the productivity is the highest. Does adding some red increase that? Even subtle changes like the addition of red chairs or a red painting can make a significant change in your space. Sometimes it’s the little changes that are the most effective.

Red has other interesting elements, many health-related. Red, being the color of blood, raises blood pressure, respiration, metabolism, appetite, boosts testosterone, and brain activity. While much of the emotional reaction to red is due to the natural physiological function of the brain, the association also has a lot to do with how your brain reacts. Because of all the red around us from stop lights and traffic signs to firetrucks to blood, we can get stressed out from the color red. It’s a careful balance from using red to inject energy into your workspace without injecting negative emotions.