Offices
Breakout Area Colour Palette for Offices
Choose colour against the surfaces that will stay. Test it on a large sample at the room's brightest and darkest points.
Explore the ideas
Compare the options
- Set the brief
- Collect samples of permanent finishes, upholstery and hardware before picking a paint or laminate.
- Compare
- Assign a background colour, one wayfinding or feature colour, and contrast where people need to distinguish edges.
- Before buying
- Check painted or laminated samples vertically beside the same light source the finished room will use.
Worked example
A living room has a patterned rug, colorful art, and an existing wood floor that all need to remain.
Use the rug and floor as fixed samples; select a restrained wall field and draw one accent from the artwork. View large samples beside each element in both daylight and evening light.
How to test it
Compare the samples in daylight and artificial light, and check that handles and door edges remain easy to distinguish.
Apply it to this space
- Layout
- Place soft seating near team areas but buffer it from focus desks with storage or a change in flooring.
- Detail
- Combine wipeable tables with comfortable upholstery and a separate local light switch.
- Trade-off
- A central lounge is easy to reach but spreads conversation noise widely.
- Listen from the nearest desk
- Check that furniture leaves a direct route through

The Elixir portfolio
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