How The Proper Use of Color Can Transform Your Commercial Space

Incorporating a cohesive, well-thought-out color scheme can infuse some serious personality and liveliness into your business so it not only properly elevates its aesthetic, but helps your business achieve its goals. Some of the most popular ways to leverage color in design are through wall coverings, furniture, and tilework. Below, our experienced team walks you through how to do just that for your Atlanta business.

Let’s Start with The Basics

Before diving into specifics, let’s go over one fundamental design principle: the 60-30-10 rule. This rule helps create a balanced color scheme by breaking down the use of colors into three parts:

  • Main color: The main color should represent 60% of the room. It is typically used on walls, anchoring the room, and providing a backdrop for your secondary color.
  • Secondary color: The secondary color should occupy 30% of the room. It is ideal for curtains, an accent wall, or furniture.
  • Accent color: Your accent color should comprise 10% of the room. It is usually found in lamps, cushions, artwork, and other decorative pieces.

The 60-30-10 rule was designed to give designers a roadmap of how to create a balanced color scheme in any space. However, it’s important to keep in mind that it’s just a guideline. If you want to use more colors in your business’ design, you can easily do that by using different shades and tones of the three colors you chose. And in some spaces, if you have a keen eye for design, you can use more than three colors!

Now that you understand this fundamental principle, we can move onto more detailed methods of incorporating color into your space. As we said before, three common ways to utilize color in business spaces is through wall coverings, tiles, and furniture. 

Using Color Through Wall Coverings

Walls are your largest canvas, and the colors and textures you choose here can completely redefine a space. Our design philosophy recognizes that every color carries its own psychological and emotional weight. By carefully choosing hues and textures for your wall coverings, you can control the atmosphere of each room to align with its function.

For instance, in meeting rooms where focus and calm are essential, we often incorporate shades like soft neutrals, pale blues, or muted greens, all of which help foster a more collaborative environment. These colors are great for helping a space exude professionalism, which is ideal for discussions or presentations. Meanwhile, areas like break rooms or creative spaces call for bolder, more energizing tones like orange, yellow, or even deep reds, which can boost energy levels and spark creativity.

Also, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention incorporating brand color palettes wherever possible in business spaces – especially where walls and wall coverings are concerned.  We work closely with each client to weave their brand’s visual identity into the design, ensuring that the workspace not only looks cohesive but also reinforces the company’s image and core values. Textured wall coverings, such as those featuring embossed patterns or graphics, further elevate the aesthetic, adding dimension and dynamism that makes a lasting impression.

Using Color Through Tiles

Tiles are often overlooked as a design element, but they can be one of the most impactful ways to bring color into a space. In areas like kitchens, restrooms, or even accent walls, brightly colored or uniquely patterned tiles can introduce a modern flair. Tiles are an especially effective way to add pops of color to a space.

At Planning Interiors, we’ve seen how using vibrant tile accents can breathe life into a space, turning otherwise ordinary areas into showstoppers. Whether it’s a stunning backsplash in the office breakroom kitchen or an eye-catching tile design in a restroom, tiles allow for creativity while maintaining a clean, professional look.

Using Color Through Furniture

Furniture is another key player in introducing color into your business space. While obviously functional, it can also be an opportunity for playful or bold color accents. Instead of the typical neutral desks or chairs, adding a few colorful pieces—such as a bold couch, brightly upholstered chairs, or a vibrant bookshelf—can add a fresh new air to a room.

We’ve found that incorporating color through furniture, whether through statement pieces or more subtle touches, is a great way to break up the monotony of traditional workspaces. It adds personality and can make the office feel more welcoming and dynamic without losing its professionalism. The key here is balance; too much color can feel overwhelming and chaotic, but carefully chosen colorful elements create visual interest and subliminally encourage creativity.

Color That Accentuates Your Space’s Function and Design

To create a business space that feels cohesive and impactful, color and functionality must work together. At Planning Interiors, we make intentional, well-thought-out color choices that not only highlight your brand’s identity but also improve the comfort, productivity, and experience for everyone who walks through your doors.

If you’re ready to transform your business space, give us a call. We’d love to help you bring your vision to life through thoughtful, expert design.

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