Research Article
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The Language of Color in Home-Office Design: Emotional, Perceptual, and Functional Dimensions of Wall Colors

Year 2025, Volume: 10 Issue: 2, 832 - 844, 27.12.2025

Abstract

The flexible working conditions of the digital age have made it necessary to designate parts of the home as workspaces. Architectural elements such as color, texture, and lighting, in home-office environments play a crucial role in shaping user perception, concentration and motivation. This study investigated the effects of wall colors in home-office spaces on user perception. In a model home office, bright, saturated, and dark colors of red, red-purple, blue, and green-yellow were applied to the walls. Each variation was presented to 51 participants who rated them on a Semantic Differential Scale. The results indicate that light and saturated wall colors were generally perceived positively, whereas dark wall colors were rated positively for being 'warm', 'pleasant', 'focusing' and 'beautiful', but negatively for other attributes. Similar patterns of perception emerged for both light and dark colors. These results suggest that colors of similar value and saturation can elicit comparable perceptions, regardless of hue.

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval for this study was granted by the Ethics Committee of Doğuş University (Decision No. E-42435178-050.04-80446, dated April 18, 2025). This article adheres to national and international standards for research and publication ethics.

References

  • Adams, F. M. & Osgood, C. E. (1973). A cross-cultural study of the affective meanings of color. Journal of CrossCultural Psychology, 4, 135-157.
  • Baloğlu, Ö. Ö. (2023). Teknolojik bir dönüşüm olarak dijitalleşme kavramı ve etkileri, Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, Cilt: 13 Sayı: 2 Haziran 2023 E-ISSN: 2149-3871
  • Baker, J. (1986). The role of the environmental in marketing services:the consumer perspective, In: Czepeil, J. A., Congram, C. A. And Shanan, J. (eds), Integrating for competetive advantage, Chicago, IL: American Marketing Association, pp. 79-84.
  • Baper, S. Y., Husein, A. H., Salim, S. S. (2021). The impact of colour on students’ perception ın learning spaces, Tikrit Journal of Engineering Sciences 28(2):33-43, DOI: 10.25130/tjes.28.2.03
  • Buechner, V. L., & Maier, M. A. (2016). Not always a matter of context: Direct effects of red on arousal but context-dependent moderations on valence. PeerJ, 4, e2515. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.251
  • Castell, V. C., Hecht, H., & Oberfeld, D. (2018). Bright paint makes interior-space surfaces appear farther away. PLOS ONE, 13(9), e0201976. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0201976
  • Çağatay, K., Hidayetoğlu, M. L., & Yıldırım, K. (2017).“Lise koridor duvarlarında kullanılan renklerin öğrencilerin algısal değerlendirmeleri üzerindeki etkileri. Effects of colors used for corridor walls of high schools on perceptual evaluations of students” Hacettepe Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 32(2):466-479, DOI: 10.16986/HUJE.2016016672
  • Çetinbaş, Ş. (2012). İç Mekân Tasarımında İnsan ve Renk İlişkisi (Yayınlanmamış yüksek lisans tezi). Karabük Üniversitesi, Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Mobilya ve Dekorasyon Eğitimi Anabilim Dalı.
  • Duyan, F., & Işık, G. (2024). The evaluation of the impact of computer classroom wall colors students' perception in the context of color components. Megaron, 19(1), 61-74. https://doi.org/10.14744/megaron.2024.96562.
  • Duyan, F., & Ünver, F. R. (2022). The influence of learning space colours on students within attention, emotional and behavioural. Megaron, 17(4), 629–643. https://doi.org/10.14744/megaron.2022.53386
  • Elliot A. J., Maier, M., Moller, A. C., Friedman, R., Meinhardt, J. (2007). Color and psychological functioning: The effect of red on performance attainment. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General 136(1):154-68. DOI: 10.1037/0096-3445.136.1.154
  • Elliot, A. J. (2015). Color and psychological functioning: A review of theoretical and empirical work. Frontiers in Psychology, 6, 368. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00368
  • Erdoğan, S. (2016). Yeni emek sistemleri: Ev-ofis sistemi üzerine bir inceleme. “İş, Güç” Endüstri İlişkileri ve İnsan Kaynakları Dergisi, Cilt/Vol: 18/Num.: 4 Sayfa: 35-74. DOI: 10.4026/2148-9874.2016.0331.
  • Frieling H. (1979). “Farbe Im Raum”, Germany: Callwey Publication, p.37-44.
  • Hedge, A. (2004). Linking environmental conditions to productivity. ASHRAE Journal, 46(5), 56–61.
  • Heerwagen, J. H., & Orians, G. H. (2002). The ecological world of children. In P. H. Kahn Jr. & S. R. Kellert (Eds.), Children and nature: Psychological, Sociocultural, and Evolutionary İnvestigations (pp. 29–64). MIT Press.
  • İmamoğlu, C. (2000). Complexity, liking and familiarity: Architecture and non-architecture Turkish students' assessments of traditional and modern house facades. Journal of Environmental Psychology. 20, 5-16.
  • Jalil, N. Ab., Yunus, R. M., Said, N. S. (2012). Environmental colour ımpact upon human behaviour: A review. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 35: 54-62. DOI: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.02.062
  • Kaya, N., & Epps, H. H. (2004). Relationship between color and emotion: A study of college students. College Student Journal, 38(3), 396–405.
  • Köseoğlu, E., Çelikkayalar, E. (2016). Yapılı çevrede renk tercihleri. Journal of Architecture Sciences and Applications. JASA 2016, 1(2):57-65. e-ISSN: 2548-0170
  • Küller , R., Mikellides, B., Janssens, J. (2009) Color, arousal, and performance-a comparison of three experiments. Color Research & Application, 34(2):141 – 152. https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article- file/280395
  • Küller, R., Ballal, S., Laike, T., Mikellides, B., & Tonello, G. (2006). The impact of light and colour on psychological mood: A cross-cultural study of indoor work environments. Ergonomics, 49(14), 1496–1507. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140130600858142
  • Kwallek, N., Lewis, C. M., Lin-Hsiao, J. W. D., Woodson, H. (1996).” Effects of nine monochromatic office interior colors on clerical tasks and worker mood”. Color Research & Application 21(6):448 – 458.
  • Kwallek, N., Soon, K., & Lewis, H. (2007). Work week productivity, visual complexity, and individual environmental sensitivity in three offices of different color interiors. Color Research & Application, 32(2), 130- 143. https://doi.org/10.1002/col.20298
  • Lee, S. Y., & Brand, J. L. (2005). Effects of control over office workspace on perceptions of the work environment and work outcomes. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 25(3), 323–333. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2005.08.001
  • Lee, C. J., Andrade, E. B., & Palmer, S. E. (2013). Interpersonal relationships and preferences for mood- congruency in aesthetic experiences. Journal of Consumer Research, 40(2), 382–391. https://doi.org/10.1086/670609
  • Mahnke, F.H. (1996). Color, environment, and human response. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold.
  • Manav, B. (2007). “Color-emotion associations and color preferences: A case Study for Residences”, Color Research and Application, Wiley Interscience Publications, Vol.32, No.2., 2006.
  • Mehta, R., & Zhu, R. J. (2009). Blue or red? Exploring the effect of color on cognitive task performances. Science, 323(5918), 1226–1229. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1169144
  • Micheal Clamp Art (2025). Access Address (12.04.2025): https://micheleclamp.com/the-munsell-color- system/
  • Müezzinoğlu, M. K., Hidayetoğlu, M. L., Yıldırım, K. (2020). “The effects of the wall colors used in educational spaces on the perceptual evaluations of students. Megaron, 2020:15 (1):1-12.
  • Oberfeld, D., & Hecht, H. (2011). Fashion Versus Perception: The Impact of SurfaceLightness on the Perceived Dimensions of Interior Space. The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, 53(3):284-98. Doi:10.1177/0018720811407331
  • Osgood, C. E., Suci, G. J., & Tannenbaum, P. H. (1957). The measurement of meaning. Univ Illinois PressSurface lightness influ-ences perceived room height. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 63, 1999–2011.
  • Sommer, R. (1969). Personal space: The behavioral basis of design. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
  • Şahin, Y. & Atabeyoğlu, Ö. (2021). Kent peyzajında ışık ve renk üzerine kullanıcı değerlendirmeleri: Samsun Kenti örneği. Journal of Architecture Sciences and Applications, JASA 2021, 6 (2), 676-687.
  • WallkillColor. (2024). Munsell Conversion Software for PC. Access Address (04.01.2025): http://wallkillcolor.com/Munsell23/CMC%20 Instruments.htm
  • Yildirim K, Hidayetoglu ML, Capanoglu A. (2011). Effects of interior colors on mood and preference: comparisons of two living rooms. Percept Mot Skills. 112(2):509-24. Doi: 10.2466/24.27.PMS.112.2.509-524. PMID: 21667759.
  • Yıldırım, K., Özkan, A., Çağatay, K., Hidayetoğlu, M. L. (2012). Effect of wall colour on the perception of hairdressing salons. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 114(2), 509–522. https://doi.org/10.2466/24.PMS.114.2.509-522

Ev-Ofis Tasarımında Rengin Dili: Duvar Renklerinin Duygusal, Algısal ve İşlevsel Boyutları

Year 2025, Volume: 10 Issue: 2, 832 - 844, 27.12.2025

Abstract

Dijitalleşme çağının getirdiği esnek çalışma koşulları, evlerin bir bölümünün çalışma alanı olarak ayrılmasını bir ihtiyaca dönüştürmüştür. Ev-ofis olarak adlandırılan bu mekanlardaki renk, doku ve aydınlatma gibi mimari bileşenler, kullanıcının algısı, konsantrasyonu ve motivasyonunu şekillendirmede önemli rol oynamaktadır. Bu çalışmada, ev-ofis duvar renklerinin kullanıcı üzerindeki etkisinin belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Modellenen bir ev-ofis mekânının duvarlarına, kırmızı, kırmızı-mor, mavi ve yeşil-sarı renklerinin açık, doymuş ve koyu tonları uygulanmış ve her varyasyon 51 katılımcıya gösterilerek anlamsal farklılaşma ölçeği ile değerlendirilmiştir. Bulgulara göre, kullanıcılar açık duvar renklerini ve doymuş renkleri genelde olumlu, koyu duvar renklerini “sıcak”, “hoş”, “odaklayıcı” ve “güzel” olarak olumlu ancak diğer sıfatlar için olumsuz olarak değerlendirmişlerdir. Tüm renk türlerinin özellikle açık ve koyu renklerinde, benzer algılar oluşmuştur. Bu sonuç, renk türleri farklı olsa da benzer değer ve doymuşluklardaki renklerin benzer algılar oluşturabileceği sonucunu doğurmaktadır.

References

  • Adams, F. M. & Osgood, C. E. (1973). A cross-cultural study of the affective meanings of color. Journal of CrossCultural Psychology, 4, 135-157.
  • Baloğlu, Ö. Ö. (2023). Teknolojik bir dönüşüm olarak dijitalleşme kavramı ve etkileri, Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, Cilt: 13 Sayı: 2 Haziran 2023 E-ISSN: 2149-3871
  • Baker, J. (1986). The role of the environmental in marketing services:the consumer perspective, In: Czepeil, J. A., Congram, C. A. And Shanan, J. (eds), Integrating for competetive advantage, Chicago, IL: American Marketing Association, pp. 79-84.
  • Baper, S. Y., Husein, A. H., Salim, S. S. (2021). The impact of colour on students’ perception ın learning spaces, Tikrit Journal of Engineering Sciences 28(2):33-43, DOI: 10.25130/tjes.28.2.03
  • Buechner, V. L., & Maier, M. A. (2016). Not always a matter of context: Direct effects of red on arousal but context-dependent moderations on valence. PeerJ, 4, e2515. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.251
  • Castell, V. C., Hecht, H., & Oberfeld, D. (2018). Bright paint makes interior-space surfaces appear farther away. PLOS ONE, 13(9), e0201976. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0201976
  • Çağatay, K., Hidayetoğlu, M. L., & Yıldırım, K. (2017).“Lise koridor duvarlarında kullanılan renklerin öğrencilerin algısal değerlendirmeleri üzerindeki etkileri. Effects of colors used for corridor walls of high schools on perceptual evaluations of students” Hacettepe Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 32(2):466-479, DOI: 10.16986/HUJE.2016016672
  • Çetinbaş, Ş. (2012). İç Mekân Tasarımında İnsan ve Renk İlişkisi (Yayınlanmamış yüksek lisans tezi). Karabük Üniversitesi, Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Mobilya ve Dekorasyon Eğitimi Anabilim Dalı.
  • Duyan, F., & Işık, G. (2024). The evaluation of the impact of computer classroom wall colors students' perception in the context of color components. Megaron, 19(1), 61-74. https://doi.org/10.14744/megaron.2024.96562.
  • Duyan, F., & Ünver, F. R. (2022). The influence of learning space colours on students within attention, emotional and behavioural. Megaron, 17(4), 629–643. https://doi.org/10.14744/megaron.2022.53386
  • Elliot A. J., Maier, M., Moller, A. C., Friedman, R., Meinhardt, J. (2007). Color and psychological functioning: The effect of red on performance attainment. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General 136(1):154-68. DOI: 10.1037/0096-3445.136.1.154
  • Elliot, A. J. (2015). Color and psychological functioning: A review of theoretical and empirical work. Frontiers in Psychology, 6, 368. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00368
  • Erdoğan, S. (2016). Yeni emek sistemleri: Ev-ofis sistemi üzerine bir inceleme. “İş, Güç” Endüstri İlişkileri ve İnsan Kaynakları Dergisi, Cilt/Vol: 18/Num.: 4 Sayfa: 35-74. DOI: 10.4026/2148-9874.2016.0331.
  • Frieling H. (1979). “Farbe Im Raum”, Germany: Callwey Publication, p.37-44.
  • Hedge, A. (2004). Linking environmental conditions to productivity. ASHRAE Journal, 46(5), 56–61.
  • Heerwagen, J. H., & Orians, G. H. (2002). The ecological world of children. In P. H. Kahn Jr. & S. R. Kellert (Eds.), Children and nature: Psychological, Sociocultural, and Evolutionary İnvestigations (pp. 29–64). MIT Press.
  • İmamoğlu, C. (2000). Complexity, liking and familiarity: Architecture and non-architecture Turkish students' assessments of traditional and modern house facades. Journal of Environmental Psychology. 20, 5-16.
  • Jalil, N. Ab., Yunus, R. M., Said, N. S. (2012). Environmental colour ımpact upon human behaviour: A review. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 35: 54-62. DOI: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.02.062
  • Kaya, N., & Epps, H. H. (2004). Relationship between color and emotion: A study of college students. College Student Journal, 38(3), 396–405.
  • Köseoğlu, E., Çelikkayalar, E. (2016). Yapılı çevrede renk tercihleri. Journal of Architecture Sciences and Applications. JASA 2016, 1(2):57-65. e-ISSN: 2548-0170
  • Küller , R., Mikellides, B., Janssens, J. (2009) Color, arousal, and performance-a comparison of three experiments. Color Research & Application, 34(2):141 – 152. https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article- file/280395
  • Küller, R., Ballal, S., Laike, T., Mikellides, B., & Tonello, G. (2006). The impact of light and colour on psychological mood: A cross-cultural study of indoor work environments. Ergonomics, 49(14), 1496–1507. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140130600858142
  • Kwallek, N., Lewis, C. M., Lin-Hsiao, J. W. D., Woodson, H. (1996).” Effects of nine monochromatic office interior colors on clerical tasks and worker mood”. Color Research & Application 21(6):448 – 458.
  • Kwallek, N., Soon, K., & Lewis, H. (2007). Work week productivity, visual complexity, and individual environmental sensitivity in three offices of different color interiors. Color Research & Application, 32(2), 130- 143. https://doi.org/10.1002/col.20298
  • Lee, S. Y., & Brand, J. L. (2005). Effects of control over office workspace on perceptions of the work environment and work outcomes. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 25(3), 323–333. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2005.08.001
  • Lee, C. J., Andrade, E. B., & Palmer, S. E. (2013). Interpersonal relationships and preferences for mood- congruency in aesthetic experiences. Journal of Consumer Research, 40(2), 382–391. https://doi.org/10.1086/670609
  • Mahnke, F.H. (1996). Color, environment, and human response. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold.
  • Manav, B. (2007). “Color-emotion associations and color preferences: A case Study for Residences”, Color Research and Application, Wiley Interscience Publications, Vol.32, No.2., 2006.
  • Mehta, R., & Zhu, R. J. (2009). Blue or red? Exploring the effect of color on cognitive task performances. Science, 323(5918), 1226–1229. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1169144
  • Micheal Clamp Art (2025). Access Address (12.04.2025): https://micheleclamp.com/the-munsell-color- system/
  • Müezzinoğlu, M. K., Hidayetoğlu, M. L., Yıldırım, K. (2020). “The effects of the wall colors used in educational spaces on the perceptual evaluations of students. Megaron, 2020:15 (1):1-12.
  • Oberfeld, D., & Hecht, H. (2011). Fashion Versus Perception: The Impact of SurfaceLightness on the Perceived Dimensions of Interior Space. The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, 53(3):284-98. Doi:10.1177/0018720811407331
  • Osgood, C. E., Suci, G. J., & Tannenbaum, P. H. (1957). The measurement of meaning. Univ Illinois PressSurface lightness influ-ences perceived room height. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 63, 1999–2011.
  • Sommer, R. (1969). Personal space: The behavioral basis of design. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
  • Şahin, Y. & Atabeyoğlu, Ö. (2021). Kent peyzajında ışık ve renk üzerine kullanıcı değerlendirmeleri: Samsun Kenti örneği. Journal of Architecture Sciences and Applications, JASA 2021, 6 (2), 676-687.
  • WallkillColor. (2024). Munsell Conversion Software for PC. Access Address (04.01.2025): http://wallkillcolor.com/Munsell23/CMC%20 Instruments.htm
  • Yildirim K, Hidayetoglu ML, Capanoglu A. (2011). Effects of interior colors on mood and preference: comparisons of two living rooms. Percept Mot Skills. 112(2):509-24. Doi: 10.2466/24.27.PMS.112.2.509-524. PMID: 21667759.
  • Yıldırım, K., Özkan, A., Çağatay, K., Hidayetoğlu, M. L. (2012). Effect of wall colour on the perception of hairdressing salons. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 114(2), 509–522. https://doi.org/10.2466/24.PMS.114.2.509-522
There are 38 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Architectural Design, Architecture (Other)
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Fazila Duyan 0000-0002-5380-1157

Nur Şener 0009-0001-0602-4359

Submission Date March 21, 2025
Acceptance Date November 14, 2025
Publication Date December 27, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 10 Issue: 2

Cite

APA Duyan, F., & Şener, N. (2025). The Language of Color in Home-Office Design: Emotional, Perceptual, and Functional Dimensions of Wall Colors. Journal of Architectural Sciences and Applications, 10(2), 832-844. https://doi.org/10.30785/mbud.1662676