Success in retail is all about the customer experience. Storefronts, food courts, coffee shops, boutiques, and other retail establishments need durable, attractive, and inviting surfaces. A good paint job can help your retail shop send a positive message to customers, and a bad one can do the exact opposite.
Your paint color choices can impact the purchasing decisions of your customers. This phenomenon is called retail color psychology. Marketing firms have long understood the power of color when designing product packaging, company logos, websites, and interior retail spaces.
The Do’s of Retail Store Painting
Painting is an effective and budget-friendly way to give your retail store a fresh, updated look. Whether you’re ready to update an existing storefront or you want to design a new commercial space, follow these tips to ensure the best results.
Consider Your Type of Business
Select paint colors that are traditionally associated with your industry. For example, if you sell baby accessories or products, you’ll want to choose muted colors, light pinks, baby blues, and other pastel colors. These are the colors people generally decorate their baby nurseries with, and it will make it easier for them to visualize your products in their homes. A sporting goods store should choose energetic colors like yellow or orange to accent their products. Health food restaurants often choose earthy or natural hues like browns or greens.
Use Color Psychology
Color has a powerful effect on both customers and employees. Research has shown that color influences how customers feel and react to a brand or commercial business. Here are some color associations to keep in mind when choosing paint colors for your store:
Red is the color of energy, power, and passion. Red grabs attention and prompts quick decisions, which is why Target uses so much red in their stores.
Orange is a vibrant, attention-grabbing color. Orange is considered motivating, so many gyms and fitness centers often incorporate orange into their color schemes.
Green is the color people associate with nature and good health. If you sell eco-friendly products, green is the perfect fit. Yoga studios, health spas, and other businesses that focus on health or wellness use shades of green to promote a sense of peace and calm.
Blue signals security, trust, and calm. Blue is widely used in banks, large department stores, and healthcare facilities. Any business owner that wants to create a sense of calm and trust should consider a light blue paint color.
Black conveys power, elegance, and a sense of formality. Black is an effective way to draw attention to specific products when used in small doses. In electronic and clothing stores, a black accent wall is often used to draw attention to new high-end merchandise.
Keep Your Target Customer in Mind
The demographic you want to reach should be a top consideration when choosing paint colors. What age and gender is your ideal customer? Research shows that younger customers prefer warmer or more lively colors while older clients usually prefer relaxing hues or neutral colors.
Establish Your Brand
Working your logo colors into your retail design will help customers associate those colors with your business. A 2007 study established how people associate a brand with a particular color. If you have a logo, use its colors to guide paint color selection for your retail space.
The Don’ts of Retail Store Painting
Ensure you send the right message to your customers by avoiding the following “don’ts” of retail store painting.
Don’t Use Dark Colors in Small Spaces
Darker colors tend to make a room feel smaller. If you have ample retail space, using a darker color likely won’t be a problem. If your store or shop is smaller and more intimate, using darker shades could make it feel too cramped. The last thing you want is to make customers feel uncomfortable while visiting your business. Light neutrals are the best choice for smaller stores.
Don’t Distract From Your Products
You want your products to pop. Bold or bright colors will grab your customers’ attention, so if there are certain products you want to highlight, include vibrant colors in your displays. You don’t want to choose a wall color that makes your products blend into the background. Opt for subtle wall shades to let your products and merchandise stand out.
Don’t Wait to Repaint
Plan on repainting your retail space at regular intervals. If you wait until your paint is peeling, chipping, or fading, it’s likely to have an adverse effect on your customers and employees. Entries, hallways, dressing rooms, and other high-traffic areas will need more frequent touch-ups or repaints to keep them looking their best.
Don’t Try to DIY
Retail store painting is essential to the success of your business, so this is a job best left to a professional paint crew. A professional paint contractor will offer:
- Expert advice on choosing color schemes that suit your brand
- Scuff-resistant paints and coatings for high-traffic areas
- Durable epoxy coatings for highly trafficked floors
- Fast-drying product options
- A professional, long-lasting finish
Choose the Local Commercial Painting Experts
When it’s time to update your interior or exterior paint job, call Adam Roe Painting at (208) 306-4240 or contact us online to discuss your needs. In business since 1985, our team of painting professionals has helped hundreds of business owners keep their buildings painted. Whether you are a small retail business owner looking to paint a single location or a commercial real estate company with multiple storefronts to paint, Adam Roe Painting is here to help.
Adam Roe Painting provides professional painting services for commercial buildings and facilities. We offer custom color matching, a residential exterior warranty of 5 years, and a one-year warranty on commercial and industrial projects. We are fully licensed, insured, and bonded for your protection.
