Your Guide to Commercial Paint Colors

Choosing the right commercial paint colors, for both the exterior and interior of your building is very important for your business. By having great paint on the outside of your business you can help bring people in with its curb appeal, and by having great paint on the inside keeps people wanting to come back.

Choosing a shade of white is an easy design choice. So don’t just settle for a shade of white. There is a rainbow of colors and an endless number of combinations that you can choose from and this guide will help you find the right palette, but it’s best to work with a pro when it’s time to paint.

Keep It On-Brand

By choosing brand colors you can improve your brand recognition by 80%. If you already have a logo and other branding materials with a specific color combination, then you might consider carrying those colors throughout your commercial building. Think about the big box stores with blaring orange tones or bold red targets in their marketing; there’s a reason you recognize these logos and locations at first glance.

Leverage Color Theory

You don’t need to be an artist to understand how the color wheel works to pair up complementary colors. On a traditional color wheel, those colors that are across from each other are considered complementary, and the first color should be used as the main color while it’s complement should be used as accents. Complementary pairs include orange and blue, green and red, and yellow and purple.

Don’t Ignore Psychology

Did you know that there’s actually a science behind how different colors affect our moods and emotions. This is something you’ll need to keep that in mind when considering your commercial paint colors. Want to help encourage leadership development in your office? Try red. Do you have a high-traffic, fast-paced business? Use blue tones to help bring a sense of calmness.

Check Out Your Surroundings

Another consideration is the location of your building. If you’re in a commercial zone, you may need to follow regulations or covenants to ensure your building’s paint is up to code. Historical buildings also generally have restrictions on the colors you can use. If your building doesn’t have any “rules” to follow, choose a color that helps your building stand out from its neighbors and look more proportional.

Consider These Combos

If you’ve walked through the steps above and still don’t feel inspired to make a color choice for the paint on and in your commercial building, think about these combinations.

Warehouses: Research has shown that neutrals like white, beige, or grey can make your employees more depressed, which is not ideal for warehouse employee productivity and engagement. Instead, try integrating your brand colors to boost morale.

Offices: Think about colors that reflect the business that’s being done in the building. (An accountant’s office will have a much different palette than a tech startup, for example.) If the office building has several different tenants, it’s a wise idea to go the neutral route.

Retail stores: The key here is to find vibrant paint colors that energize customers and encourage them to make larger and more purchases. Vibrant reds and oranges grab shoppers’ attention, while colors like pink and purple are ideal for beauty and cosmetic stores. However, think carefully before you opt for bold commercial paint colors.

Places of worship: Beige is a great neutral go-to to create a sense of calm and security, but other colors — like burgundy or eggshell blue — are just as serene and appropriate for places of worship. You can even opt for a less traditional wall covering that speaks to the community that your worshippers are creating and nurturing.

Ultimately, the best way to choose the right colors is by working with a commercial painting contractor who has experience choosing commercial paint colors and painting commercial buildings just like yours. Exterior paint is often the first impression someone gets of your business, but we will get it right, fast, and efficiently.

Need a Painting Company in MA? Trust Michael P. McCarthy Painting, Inc.