10 Tips For Picking A Color Scheme

10 Tips For Picking A Color Scheme

Whether you’re wondering what color to paint your building’s exterior, or you’re looking to redesign an interior commercial space, the colors you choose impact how your business is perceived.

Color greatly influences human emotion and behavior. We’ve compiled 10 tips for picking a color scheme that will suit your business’ needs.

Enhance Your Brand Colors
Put a spin on colors your brand has already established using the color wheel. You can build color schemes online using tools like Sherwin-Williams Color Snap, or with a simple color wheel. You can easily create a scheme that is complementary (colors that are across each other on the color wheel) or an analogous color scheme (colors that are next to each other on the color wheel). You can also create your own custom color scheme. Experiment and explore your options by using existing company colors and enhancing them.

Know Your Audience
Knowing who will be using the space will give you a better idea of what colors to choose. Whether the group is bold or subtle, whether they need to feel calmed or energized, knowing your audience will definitely simplify the process of picking colors.

Consider Color Psychology
Color psychology is the study of how color influences human behavior. Colors can have the ability to influence perception, such as whether a business seems polished and serious or playful and fun.

What Kind of Atmosphere Do You Want?
Keeping audience and color psychology in mind, remember to ask yourself what kind of atmosphere you want to create. Colors can also influence emotions, like making visitors feel content, calm, anxious, or excited. Think about the feeling you want your customer or client to experience. Whether your goal is to create a serene or a formal environment, color plays a major role in that atmosphere.

Create an Inspiration Board
If you are just starting out and don’t know what you like or want to do, create a Pinterest board. The process of putting together the things you like will help you start to recognize the colors you prefer.

Follow the 60-30-10 Rule
Many designers decorate following the 60-30-10 rule. The dominant color (the color of the walls) is generally 60 percent, 30 percent is the secondary color (provides visual interest), and 10 percent is the accent color. Keeping in mind these considerations can help you break down what colors you want, and where.

Know Your Paint Options
Know what your paint options are, and ask a painting professional if you have any limitation on your selection. Some coatings and types of paints may only be available in a limited number of colors, so know what you’re working with before you start choosing colors.

Consider Your Surroundings
Know your building’s exterior space. Is there a lot of evergreen and landscaping that would contrast with your choice in color? What color are the other buildings near you, and will they complement your scheme or contrast it? Are there any sensitivities in your lease agreement that would limit your options? Knowing your surroundings will help you complement your overall space.

Talk it Out
Your building will often be the first impression clients will have of you, so thoughtfully consider your options and ask for advice before you commit. Talk to a professional painter and ask them for their opinion, ask your stakeholders what their thoughts are, and find out what your potential color scheme invokes in different people.

Test it Out
The great thing about paint is that you can always paint over it, so whatever you decide, take the time to test out your options and find something that really suits your needs. If one color scheme isn’t working the way you had hoped, try another.

Commercial Painters Alaska
As painting specialists with over 25 years of professional experience, we can help you bring your project to life. Our seasoned experts are trained in the latest techniques and technologies, but we also believe in time-honored values like honesty, integrity, and hard work. We are always up front with potential clients about what would be the best solution for them.