Picking color for a workspace or office

Walking into 1623 Studios’ new offices is inspiring. The colors are so perfectly subtle and selected, with accent colors framing certain parts of the office, that you might be tempted to start a renovation of your own. Martha Sutyak, the interior designer of 1623 Studios, has some tips for you to consider.

First, start with a simple palette, because most people will tire of color. “You need to think of how people tire of color, which is a real thing,” says Sutyak. “Keep in mind that color is just for highlights. Think about a child who wants to paint his or her room black or deep saturated turquoise. If you go ahead and do it, and you and the child tire of it, you’ll need five coats of paint to cover it!” Instead, Sutyak recommends restraint when it comes to color.

Second, consider accent colors side to side. “When looking at a room front to back, one should see very little color. But, when you look perpendicular and side to side, that’s where to put the color. You won’t get tired of it as easily,” Sutyak recommends. It’s a general design rule to go light.

Third, Martha says that accent colors can be bold – and dark – when used with restraint. “I’m not a big fan of accent walls, but they do work in some circumstances,” she says. “Choose an area that can accept color and is a place where people aren’t working every minute of the day. The studio kitchenette has a bright color in it because people go there periodically and spend less time there. And the offices are gray and aluminum and shades of white to provide some relief from color.”