How do you use color to make your commercial space unforgettable?

1 The psychology of color

Different colors can evoke different emotions and associations in people, depending on their cultural background, personal preferences, and context. For example, red can signify passion, excitement, or danger, while blue can convey calmness, trust, or coldness. Knowing the psychological effects of color can help you decide what mood you want to create in your commercial space, and how to balance the colors to avoid overwhelming or boring your visitors. You can use color psychology to guide your choices of wall paint, furniture, lighting, signage, and accessories.

2 The color wheel

The color wheel is a visual representation of the relationship between the primary colors (red, yellow, and blue), the secondary colors (orange, green, and purple), and the tertiary colors (mixtures of primary and secondary colors). The color wheel can help you understand the concepts of hue, saturation, and value, and how to create different color schemes for your commercial space. Hue is the name of the color, saturation is the intensity or purity of the color, and value is the lightness or darkness of the color.

3 The color schemes

When creating harmony and contrast in your commercial space, you can utilize various types of color schemes. Monochromatic schemes use different shades, tints, and tones of the same hue to produce a simple and cohesive look, but can be monotonous if not varied. Analogous schemes use colors that are adjacent to each other on the color wheel, creating a warm and natural look, but can lack contrast if not varied. Complementary schemes use colors that are opposite to each other on the color wheel, giving a dynamic and vibrant look, though it may be too harsh if not moderated. Triadic schemes use three colors evenly spaced on the color wheel, creating a balanced and creative look, but can be too busy if not used with harmony.

4 The 60-30-10 rule

One of the easiest ways to apply a color scheme to your commercial space is to follow the 60-30-10 rule. This rule states that you should use 60% of a dominant color, 30% of a secondary color, and 10% of an accent color in your space. The dominant color is usually a neutral or muted color that sets the overall tone of the space. The secondary color is usually a contrasting or complementary color that adds interest and variety to the space. The accent color is usually a bright or bold color that adds pop and focal points to the space. You can use the 60-30-10 rule to divide your space into different zones, such as walls, floors, ceilings, furniture, and accessories.

5 The color trends

Another factor that you can consider when choosing colors for your commercial space is the current color trends. Color trends are influenced by various factors, such as social, economic, and environmental issues, as well as fashion, art, and technology. Color trends can help you create a modern, relevant, and appealing look for your commercial space, but they can also become outdated or overused quickly. Therefore, you should use color trends as a source of inspiration, but not as a strict rule. You should also make sure that the colors you choose reflect your brand identity, message, and values.

6 The color testing

The final step in using color to make your commercial space unforgettable is to test the colors before you apply them. Colors can look different depending on the lighting, the size, the shape, and the texture of the space, as well as the colors of the surrounding elements. Therefore, you should always test the colors on a small area of the space, and observe how they look at different times of the day, and from different angles and distances. You should also ask for feedback from your customers, employees, and other stakeholders, and make adjustments if needed. Testing the colors can help you avoid costly mistakes, and ensure that you achieve the desired effect and impression.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?