How do you design a multi-purpose commercial space without color clashes?

1 Understand the purpose

Before you pick any colors, you need to define the purpose of your space and the activities that will take place there. Is it a co-working space, a retail store, a restaurant, or a salon? What kind of mood and atmosphere do you want to create? How do you want your customers or clients to feel and behave? These questions will help you narrow down your color options and select the ones that match your goals and vision.

2 Use a color wheel

A color wheel is a useful tool to help you visualize the relationships between different colors and create harmonious schemes. There are three basic types of color schemes: monochromatic, analogous, and complementary. Monochromatic schemes use different shades of the same color, creating a simple and elegant look. Analogous schemes use colors that are adjacent on the wheel, creating a smooth and soothing look. Complementary schemes use colors that are opposite on the wheel, creating a dynamic and contrasting look. You can also experiment with other types of schemes, such as triadic, tetradic, or split-complementary, depending on the level of complexity and diversity you want to achieve.

3 Apply the 60-30-10 rule

The 60-30-10 rule is a classic guideline to help you balance the colors in your space. It suggests that you use three colors in the following proportions: 60% for the dominant color, 30% for the secondary color, and 10% for the accent color. The dominant color should be a neutral or muted tone that covers most of the walls and floors, creating a consistent background. The secondary color should be a contrasting or complementary tone that covers some of the furniture and accessories, creating some interest and variety. The accent color should be a bright or bold tone that covers some of the details and accents, creating some focal points and highlights.

4 Consider the psychology

Colors have psychological effects on human emotions and behaviors, which can influence the success of your commercial space. For example, red is associated with excitement, energy, and passion, but also with danger, aggression, and stress. Blue is associated with calmness, trust, and professionalism, but also with coldness, sadness, and detachment. Yellow is associated with happiness, optimism, and creativity, but also with anxiety, caution, and fatigue. You need to consider how your colors affect your target audience and their expectations and perceptions of your space. You also need to consider how your colors reflect your brand identity and values, and how they differentiate you from your competitors.

5 Test and adjust

Finally, you need to test and adjust your colors before you finalize your design. You can use digital tools, such as online color generators or apps, to create mock-ups and previews of your space with different color schemes. You can also use physical tools, such as paint swatches or fabric samples, to compare and contrast your colors in different lighting and settings. You should ask for feedback from your stakeholders, such as your clients, customers, or employees, to see how they react and respond to your colors. You should also be flexible and willing to make changes if your colors do not work as expected or if you encounter any challenges or limitations.

6 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?