First impressions are everything—especially when it comes to winning over potential customers or impressing your stakeholders.
Therefore, the color you choose to paint your building can have a serious impact on the livelihood of your business.
Choosing the right paint color for your commercial building is easier said than done.
There are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind, such as complementary colors based on color theory, the local environment, and exterior paint color combinations that are popular for commercial buildings.
With a little bit of research and diligence, you will be able to find the perfect colors for your property.
We can help. Here are our top tips for choosing exterior paint colors:
Take color psychology into consideration.
When choosing a paint color for a commercial building, it’s important to consider the psychological effects of different colors.
Different colors can evoke different emotions, so it’s important to choose a color that will create the desired atmosphere for your business.
For example, blue is often associated with calmness and serenity, while yellow is associated with happiness and energy.
Why complementary colors often look the best together
Complementary colors sit opposite of each other on the color wheel.
When complementary colors are used together, they can create some of the most striking and vibrant color combinations. The colors “pop” when placed side by side.
For example, if you’re painting a commercial building that you want to look modern and sleek, you might consider using a combination of black and white.
Just remember to use complementary colors in moderation. Too much of a good thing can be… well, too much.
Consider the local surroundings of your building.
When choosing paint colors for a commercial building, it’s important to take the local environment into consideration.
If you’re in an area with a lot of trees and greenery, you may want to use earth tones or other natural colors. If your commercial property is in a more urban area, brighter colors may be more appropriate.
You’ll also want to consider the color scheme of the other buildings in the area. If most of the buildings are brightly colored, you may want to choose a more subdued palette for your own property.
On the other hand, if the other buildings are mostly neutral in color, you may want to choose a more eye-catching combination for your building.
Keep your brand guidelines in mind.
Your paint color should also be in line with your brand identity. If you have a corporate logo, try to choose a paint color that complements it.
You want your customers to be able to easily recognize your business, so choose a color scheme that will make your business stand out.
Next, you want to make sure the paint color is appropriate for the type of business you have.
If you have a formal business, you’ll want to avoid using bright or flashy colors. Instead, stick with more muted tones that convey professionalism and sophistication.
On the other hand, if you have a more creative business, you can be more flexible with your color choices. Feel free to experiment and choose a paint color that reflects your unique brand identity.
When in doubt, look at other buildings to see which color schemes work and which ones don’t.
You’ll want to create a color scheme that is visually pleasing and easy on the eyes.
One popular combination is white and gray, which can give your property a clean and modern look. Another popular choice is beige and brown, which can offer your building a more traditional appearance.
Let’s look at a few examples of color schemes on commercial buildings:
Office building exterior paint colors
1. White: White is a classic choice. It emanates professionalism, sophistication, and simplicity.
2. Gray: Gray is a neutral color that can be used to create a variety of different looks when combined with other hues.
3. Black: Black can be used to create a modern and sleek look for an office building.
4. Tan: Tan conveys a sense of stability and reliability, which is a great look for a business.
5. Brown: Brown gives a more traditional appearance to a property. Therefore, it is a popular choice for office buildings.
Neutrals are versatile. You can pair them with a pop of color for visual interest.
However, you also can’t go wrong with warm hues because they will make an office feel inviting and welcoming while still maintaining a professional appearance.
Whichever colors you choose, be sure to test them out on a small area of the building first to see how they look in natural lighting before committing to a full coat.
Warehouse exterior paint colors
The paint colors you choose for your warehouse should look professional, yet approachable.
1. White: White is the most popular color for warehouses because it looks clean and crisp. It’s also a good choice if you want your warehouse to blend in with its surroundings.
2. Gray: Gray is an excellent option if you want your warehouse to have a more modern look. It’s also a solid neutral color that goes well with other hues.
3. Blue: Blue is professional and inviting. It’s a calming color that can help reduce stress levels in the workplace.
4. Green: Green is calming just like blue is, but green is more earthy. It’s a good color for warehouses that want to convey eco-friendliness.
5. Red: Red is eye-catching and energetic. If you want your warehouse to appear exciting and modern, consider red!
Restaurant exterior paint colors
Exterior painting colors will say a lot about your restaurant.
Whether you want to give off a fun and festive vibe or a more sophisticated and elegant feel, the right color can make all the difference.
Here are some of the most popular exterior paint colors for restaurants to help you make the best choice for your business:
1. White: White is a classic option that can create a clean and crisp look for your restaurant.
2. Black: Black can give your restaurant a modern and sleek appearance.
3. Red: Red is often associated with energy and excitement, making it a great choice for a lively restaurant.
4. Yellow: Yellow is perfect for creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for your restaurant.
5. Purple: Purple can add a touch of luxury and sophistication to your restaurant.
Retail store exterior paint colors
There are a few key factors to keep in mind when choosing exterior paint colors for your retail store.
First, you want to make sure the color you choose compliments the style of your store. If you have a modern store, you might want to consider a stark white or black.
If your store has more of a rustic feel, earth tones could be a better option. You also want to make sure the color you choose is visible from the street and makes your store stand out from the competition.
Popular exterior retail store colors include:
1. Gray: This is a great option if you want your store to look professional and sleek. It’s also a good choice if you want to play it safe with your color choice.
2. Red: A bright red can really make your store pop and help it stand out from the crowd. This color is perfect if you want to attract attention and drive foot traffic.
3. Yellow: A cheerful yellow is perfect for a retail store that wants to convey a friendly and inviting vibe. This color is sure to turn heads and attract customers.
4. Blue: A cool blue is a good choice for a retail store that wants to appear calm and serene. This color is amazing for stores that sell services to promote relaxation, such as spas or yoga studios.
5. White: A clean white exterior is excellent for a retail store that wants to appear fresh and inviting.
No matter which color you choose, make sure it reflects the purpose of your store.
Hotel exterior paint colors
Exterior paint colors can make a big impact on hotel guests’ first impressions.
The right color will convey a welcoming and hospitable atmosphere, while the wrong color will give off a cold and unwelcoming vibe.
When choosing exterior paint colors for your hotel, it’s important to consider the overall tone you want to convey as well as the colors that will coordinate well with your existing décor.
Popular exterior paint colors for hotels include:
1. White: White is a classic color that emanates elegance and sophistication. It’s a natural choice for hotels that want to give off a clean and sleek vibe.
2. Beige: Beige is another popular choice for hotel exteriors, as it conveys a sense of warmth and hospitality.
3. Gray: Gray is a good choice for hotels that want to project a modern or sleek image.
4. Blue: Blue is a calming color that offers a feeling of tranquility.
5. Green: Green is a refreshing color that conveys a sense of nature and can be used to create an inviting outdoor space.
Always review samples of potential paint colors.
Before making a final decision, be sure to get samples of your chosen paint colors and test them out in the space. The paint may look different in person than it does in the store, so it’s important to see how it will actually appear before making a purchase.
After you choose your exterior paint color, what’s next?
It’s time to work with a professional painting contractor that can help you execute your vision and paint your property with razor-sharp attention to detail.
Arch Painting is the best commercial paint contractor in the Northeast.
Here at Arch Painting, we defy the commercial painting contractor stereotype with our top-quality performance and friendly customer service.
You can count on us to be refreshingly fast, trustworthy, and receptive to your commercial exterior painting needs.
Want to learn how we can help with your commercial painting project? Get in touch with our team.