How to Choose the Best Paint Color for Your Commercial Space
When it comes to creating the ideal commercial space for both your customers and employees, every little detail matters. Even things you don’t think are all that important, such as the layout of the furniture, contribute to the atmosphere of the space, creating either positive or negative associations.
However, one thing that will have a major impact is the color of your walls. Paint can easily turn a dingy, unwelcoming room into a warm, inviting space. But if you don’t have the right colors, it can also have the opposite effect, turning people away and making them feel uncomfortable.
The Power of First Impressions
In the end, the paint you choose for your commercial space will have a significant impact on the first impressions people have when they walk into your store, warehouse, showroom, etc. And since first impressions lay the foundation for how people think about and perceive you, it’s imperative you get this right.
Fortunately, choosing the right paint colors for your commercial space is not as hard as it seems. There’s a bit of a science to it, and if you understand this, you can choose colors that match up with your intentions and create the perfect first impression every time.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Paint Colors for Your Commercial Space
When it comes time to paint your walls, there are a number of things you should keep in mind to make sure your paint is working for you. Here are the most important:
Room Size
One of the first things to keep in mind when choosing colors for the interior of your commercial space is the size of the room. This is because darker colors will always make your room look smaller.
In some cases, this can work, especially if you’re trying to create a more intimate setting. But if your goal is to be warm and welcoming, dark colors in a small room can make the space feel confined and even a bit suffocating.
Remember, colors always look more dramatic when painted on your entire wall. If you really like a dark blue when the sample is hanging up, try to imagine how you would feel if the entire space was that color. And if you’re doubting whether or not it’s too dark, it’s usually a good idea to go a shade or two lighter.
Lighting
Another thing to keep in mind is the light in the space. Lots of sunlight flooding in through the windows is going to drown out lighter shades and reduce the impact of the color. Conversely, if you pick a dark color in a room that doesn’t get a lot of sunlight, then it’s going to feel even more confined.
Also keep in mind the type of lighting you use. Fluorescent lights are brighter but tend to make colors flatter and more sterile than traditional yellow light bulbs. If you need to use fluorescent lights, consider going with brighter colors to try and counteract the impact of these lights.
Environment
The location of your commercial space also needs to be considered when choosing paint colors. Depending on where you are, you may want to amplify or deaden the surrounding environment.
For example, if your business is located in a sunny beach town, then warm, bright colors can help make it look even more welcoming. But in such an environment you could also get away with darker colors since the natural light will provide a nice balance.
However, if you live in an area that has dark, cold winters, you might want to stick to warmer colors to try and make the space a little more comfortable during the parts of the year when spirits tend to be down. But if you go overboard with this, it might look a little silly.
Atmosphere
Given how important paint colors are to creating the first impression people have when they walk into your space, give serious consideration to the atmosphere you want to create.
For example, doctors offices and other medical facilities will want to present a clean, professional atmosphere; beige, white, tan, and soft yellows work really well here.
In other places, such as offices or warehouses, these colors don’t work so well. They have been found to make people feel depressed, which is something you don’t want to do in your work environment. In these spaces, you may want to choose something a little brighter and more exciting.
For a bar or restaurant, or a retail space, you likely want to create an atmosphere that feels fun and cozy. There are a lot of options here, but brighter colors such as blue, orange, or a soft purple can be quite effective at helping you achieve this effect.
To help you, consider the psychology of colors. Quite a bit of research has been done to learn about the associations people make when they see certain colors. Of course, each person will react a little bit differently, but try to align your color choices with the impression you’re trying to give.
Brand
You also want to make sure your paint color choices match up with your branding. This could mean making sure the colors you choose produce the right atmosphere and effect. But it could also simply mean using the same colors you already use.
For example, if your brand is red, blue, and white, consider integrating these colors into your commercial space. They don’t necessarily need to be the dominant tones, but being consistent with your brand images is really useful for helping create stronger associations between your customers and your company.
Don’t Forget About the Exterior
The interior colors of your commercial space are really important. But don’t forget about your exterior painting. Though not as important as interior paint for creating the right atmosphere, they certainly contribute to the impression people get.
For example, a plain white building can look professional for an office but boring for a coffee shop. But while blue or purple might look great for the cafe, it would make an office building look unofficial.
Matching your exterior paint with your brand can also help new customers find you, especially if your building is located alongside lots of other properties.
Trust Your Commercial Painting Needs to a Professional
Considering repainting your commercial property? Work with a professional to get it right. Not only do pros have the knowledge needed to help you choose the right colors, but they can complete the job better and more quickly, reducing the amount of time you need to close and keeping your business going.
If you’re ready for some new commercial paint, get in touch today and McLean Company will make it happen.