The Comprehensive Color Guide for Commercial Painting

Garrick Revels
6 min readFeb 19, 2021
Commercial Paints and Brush

Paint colors for commercial buildings have huge implications, and it’s all about the first impressions! And nothing gives out an excellent impression like the well-maintained interiors and exteriors of the building. There’s a tremendous potential for a well-planned commercial space from walls to paint colors and every detail. Professional painters agree on that.

Pro commercial painters like you always need to come up with the right palette. And there’s always the need to use a reliable guide that covers different aspects of commercial painting. To save more effort and time, here is a complete color guide intended for commercial building painting.

How to Pick the Right Color for Commercial Buildings?

Many things are to consider whenever selecting the right color scheme for commercial facilities. Depending on your client’s business’s nature, it is vital to be mindful of following different rules when choosing color combinations.

1. Consider Color Psychology

Colors in the surroundings have a powerful impact, especially on the ones who notice it. It triggers different emotions and feelings and can even set a tone for the ideal business place. That is why it is essential to consider color psychology when selecting the right color palette for your client’s business.

Although most clients wanted to get involved in the selection process, they also have personal preferences when picking the right colors. Different colors affect anyone in many ways. However, studies have shown that specific general rules are more widely applicable.

· Neutral colors like hues of grey and blue communicate neutrality. Both colors are an ideal choice for establishing brand loyalty.

· Bright tones of red and yellow create an energetic and lively atmosphere.

· Green tones reassure a sense of success and growth.

· Orange is an excellent choice for businesses focusing on good discounts and values.

· White colors are oftentimes tricky since it shows a minimalist look.

Understanding color psychology and how it’ll help your client’s business goals is the first step in creating the best and professional atmosphere. Also, with the help of subcontractor scheduling software, it’s easier for you to deal with the highs and lows of managing painting projects. Subcontractors are best supervised using this software because of time-tracking and real-time updates.

2. Select complementary colors based upon the Color Theory

Color theory is another helpful and useful thing to consider. Based on the color theory and how these colors work with one another right on the color wheel, it is common to use one of four schemes — complementary, monochromatic, tertiary, and triadic.

While each scheme helps create a cohesive impression, the complementary color scheme is considered ideal for commercial painting projects. The complementary scheme is rooted in two primary colors opposite to one another on the color wheel. Hence, the first color must be the primary color, while its main opposite must be used for highlights and accents. Examples of complementary colors include red and green, purple and yellow, orange and blue.

3. Consider the Local Environment

Brand colors are not the only ones that must be used as the main reference. Several commercial spaces, particularly the historical ones, usually have regulations that limit color preferences. Pro painters like you have to be mindful of this matter. It is essential to respect and follow the district’s landscaping or architectural standards.

For instance, if there’s no strict rules to abide by, the option boils down to whether the building has to blend with its surroundings or stand out from the rest. Think about office complexes, parks, and industrial areas that are surrounding the commercial building. It is wise to pick the darker color since it can prevent the property from looking oversized.

Commercial construction management must also be implemented once the actual work starts and once the colors are finally picked. Doing so will make your painting projects much easier to manage.

Interior and Exterior Paint Color Combinations Applied for Commercial Buildings

1. Office space

Interior:

Using commercial paint color combinations that will inspire collaboration and increase creativity makes it easier for you to create a productive and welcoming environment. While these color combinations are a safe choice, most neutral colors might end up creating a gloomy or dull atmosphere. Consider playing with all office paint colors and add energizing accents. Doing so will break a potentially muted atmosphere.

Exterior:

For office space exteriors, it is crucial to always keep in mind all the business’s services. From sandy beiges and creamy whites to spotless greys and sky blues, neutral colors are a safe choice, significantly if the office building houses various small companies. A bolder color palette can also make the building stand out even more.

2. Building Halls

Interior:

Selecting the right colors for office building halls can change the perception of commercial properties. So, instead of using dull colors, turn all passageways into appealing spaces using the right palette. Halls are a great place where professional painters can play with different accents and various finishes.

3. Warehouses

Interior:

Before you start pondering about the aesthetics of the warehouse interiors, always think about safety. Taking it into consideration will help you pick the best color combinations that ensure organization and visibility. Contrasting colors, particularly combinations that include black, yellow or red, are generally associated with caution and safety. Hence, these two colors are very great for drawing attention.

Exterior:

A study conducted by researchers from the University of Texas implies that neutral colors like beige, gray, and white can increase depressive feelings. Thus, it must be avoided. That is why consider using hues that can be an extension of the brand’s colors. It improves the gloomy aesthetics of intensely used facilities.

4. Hospital Facilities

Interior:

The choices for interior colors depend largely on the nature of the facility. Earthy tones, white shades, and soft shades of green are the best colors to apply for hospital interiors. White paint colors have a sophisticated allure accompanied by opulence. This color is usually the most picked among all.

Exterior:

Hospital facilities can take advantage of the most from using neutral colors. Many shades of newly painted white can evoke a sense of care and cleanliness. Additionally, the most vital thing to consider when painting hospital facilities is the target group. The surrounding of the building is also taken into consideration. Take into account the architectural style, market niche, and colors of walkways and landscapes.

5. Retail Store

Interior:

Interior and exterior for retail stores usually share the same colors. However, consider applying more inviting colors to accelerate the decision-making process and create a sense of urgency. Pro painters always have to think about the target audience, including the functionalities too. For instance, pastels combined with accent matte black will work miracles for some shops.

Exterior:

The exteriors for retail stores should be stimulating and inviting, just like the products being sold. Vibrant colors like orange, yellow and red can grab any shopper’s attention. These colors initiate emotional response and can accelerate the decision-making process by pushing customers to walk in. Blue is ultimately an excellent choice for department stores. Hues of purple and pink can bring a pop to perfume, beauty and clothing shops.

6. Worship Places

Interior:

Seafoam, eggshell, and lightest shades of mauve and taupe can create a serene and comfortable ambiance. Beige, on the other hand, is the paint color typically used for worship places. But other neutral colors contribute a sense of serenity.

Exterior:

Painting any worship place can either be the least or most tricky task to do. Renovating exteriors of any religious facilities often doesn’t leave huge space for creativity purposes. Stylistic restrictions are the main reason why. Nevertheless, it makes the color picking process a lot easier. Apparently, the set of colors might even be prescribed in advance. It is also advised to imitate the styles of other similar buildings where neutral and earthy tones are used.

Get an Edge with Project Management Software

Many painting contractors, especially those who have long working experience, are still trying to learn the industry’s ins and outs. You can stand out from the rest of your pals by utilizing software design precision for project management. It will not just increase your productivity but also your professionalism in the eyes of your client.

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· Easier and effective project management for construction

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· Improved Team collaboration and communication

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· Detailed time tracking and project tracking

Pro Crew Schedule has proven to keep up your painting projects, work orders and more. This particular construction technology is top in the market and has many features to offer. Get a live demo for free now!

Key Takeaways

Painting any commercial business area can either be a simple job or a very complex undertaking. In general, the nature and extent of painting projects can be determined easily. There will be some challenges associated with this type of project, especially in choosing the right colors. This is the reason why a color guide is essential to take into consideration.

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Garrick Revels

CEO of Pro Crew Software Inc & also own one of the largest construction companies in the Tampa Bay area, GCM Constructions. Visit us at procrewschedule.com