The Complete Color Guide to Commercial Building Paint

The first impression is the best impression.

This stays true in all aspects, especially for commercial spaces. A well-maintained interior and exterior creates a positive impression and attracts potential customers. To draw the proper attention, you need to choose the right color and design. Depending on the business, the color palette and color scheme differ quite a bit.

However, not all businesses tend to understand the importance of it. From the paint color to the finish, it is the little details that create an impression.

We have put together this informative guide to help you choose the best commercial building paint colors by covering the following main topics:

• What Is Considered a Commercial Painting Project?
• What Type of Paint Is Used in Commercial Buildings?
• How Do I Choose a Commercial Building Paint Color?
• How Much Do Professional Painters Charge for Exterior Painting?
• Conclusion

What Is Considered a Commercial Building Paint Project?

Paint jobs involving stores, offices, and restaurants are generally classified as commercial painting. This is because they are aimed at pleasing a customer and ensure that it conveys a positive feeling. Commercial painting is similar to a residential building in many aspects, only bigger. So much so that, painting multi-family residences is also considered commercial.

The Best Exterior Paint Colors for Commercial Buildings

The first thing to remember when choosing paint colors for commercial buildings is the service they offer. Depending on the services, the color palette differs. For example, a bank would prefer a different palette than a tech company or a retail store.

Warehouse

Go for earthy tones if you are to build reliability with your customers. Add in colors that are an extension of your logo. It makes the building stand out and hence easy to spot for visitors.

Office Buildings

Neutral colors in sandy beige, creamy white, sky blue, and even grays are better color choices for office buildings. You can also use bold colors to make your office stand out. In doing so, you may need to consider the local environment and your brand colors. They can distract people from noticing your logo.

Hospitality

Neutral colors in different shades of white are ideal for hospitality facilities. They evoke feelings of cleanliness in your guests.

Retail Store

Vibrant colors are great for drawing attention from customers. For example, red, orange, and yellow. They help make the decision-making process easier. Blue works for department stores. And shades of purple and pink are recommended for feminine pursuits like beauty, fashion, and perfume.

What Exterior Color Hides Imperfections Best?

Dark paint colors can help hide the imperfections better than lighter shades. This is because light colors are more reflective and reveal imperfections. However, a darker color reduces the contrast and thereby concealing the blemishes. A dark paint with a flat or eggshell finish does an even better job at hiding the imperfections.

What Type of Paint Is Used in Commercial Buildings?

The most preferred paint used in commercial properties is high-quality latex in a semi-gloss or gloss finish. Latex paint dries fast, enabling you to open up for business. The longer it takes to dry, the longer you lose business and likely patrons. On the other hand, they are neither stain-resistant nor durable. However, it doesn’t matter. They are not subject to the kind of abuse you see in an industrial environment. If you are looking for something that lasts long, you may want to opt for oil paint.

What Is the Best Color for Commercial Spaces?

Every color works in a different manner, depending on the business. The color you choose should appeal to the potential customers as well as adhere to the brand. Here are a few colors you may want to consider for your space.

Red and Blue

Businesses based on commerce and innovation do well in primary colors such as red and blue. They work well, especially when paired with striking grays and whites. This color combination suggests a no-nonsense and modern approach to business.

Muted Grays and Neutral Tan

A more traditional color approach works well for commercial storage spaces. Muted grays and neutral colors like tan broken with dark hues like navy and burgundy reflect a direct nature of the business.

Green and Blue

Bright blues and greens paired with yellow and orange attract people’s attention.

What Color Should I Paint My Office Building?

The paint color you use in an office space should not distract or make you lose focus. Instead, it should be conducive to thinking and collaborating. Keep in mind that the intensity of the hue also affects emotions.

Here are a few colors ideal for an office building:

• Off-White – A soft white in an eggshell finish. Not only does it emanate warmth, but it is also easy to decorate. But do not go for a true white as it can give a clinical look.
• Light Blue – A soft blue can create a calm surrounding, giving a peaceful ambiance.
• Gray – A classic gray is more on a neutral tone and gives a subtle look. And again, like white, it is easier to decorate.
• Teal – Being a blend of blue and green, teal can increase productivity in your office environment.
• Brown – A warm hue in eggshell finish emanates powerful feelings in an office space.
• Pastel Yellow – Yellow with a touch of gold works well to add dimension to accent walls. It is ideal for an artistic space to get the creative energy flowing.
• Green – Green is associated with the environment, and in certain cultures, it also denotes luck. A rich and velvety green is ideal for a finance environment and health care. However, brighter and darker shades can work in an adverse manner.

How Do I Choose a Commercial Building Paint Color?

Whether you are a developer or an owner, choosing the right paint color can be challenging. Not only should it capture the nature of the business but also make a statement. As such, you need to understand the following factors to help you choose the color for your commercial building.

Color Psychology

Every color works differently, depending on the business. They trigger various feelings and set a tone for the building. This is referred to as color psychology. Understanding it helps you to create a professional atmosphere. However, there are some general rules when it comes to each color.

• Blues and grays communicate impartiality and establish brand loyalty.
• Vivid colors such as red and yellow create a lively atmosphere.
• Shades of green encourage growth and success.
• Orange may be the perfect color if your business is based on discounts and values.
• White creates a slick and minimalistic appearance. However, it may also give a bland look.

Be True to Your Brand

Brand colors increase brand recognition by 80%.

Every major business has a color palette. You can find the same colors in the company’s logo, exterior signage, business cards, website, and other branding assets. Consider using them or at least shades of them on your exterior. This helps your visitors to identify the building. In addition, the right color scheme portrays the company values with the color.

Color Theory

Use color theory and color scheme to find out which complementary commercial building paint colors to use. They can help you identify colors that work together and not clash. Complementary colors are those that sit opposite to each other in the color wheel. For example, red and green.

Architecture and Exterior Materials

The architectural style of the buildings and the exterior materials play an essential part in choosing a color palette. For example, you cannot paint a Victorian-style building in bold colors.

Depending on the materials, you may want to choose different products. For example, wood requires a different coating than concrete or stucco.

Surrounding Buildings

Look at your surroundings before deciding on paint colors. Are you located on a small lot? You may want to choose a darker color to prevent your building from looking oversized.

Do you want to blend with the local environment or stand out?

You may have to follow some guidelines if you are located in a:

• Historic district
• Industrial park

How Much Do Professional Painters Charge for Exterior Painting?

The price per square foot is $2 -$6, depending on the location. For a high-quality paint job, you may have to shell out $60-$100 per hour. However, many different factors come into play, including:

• Size of the building
• Labor costs
• Repairs

Conclusion

The choice of commercial building paint colors makes all the difference when it comes to your office or any other commercial place. A well-maintained building creates an excellent first impression on clients and customers. The colors you choose should reflect the brand values and reinforce the identity.

On the other hand, the colors should also not overwhelm and confuse the customers. A subtle and neutral scheme with an accent wall works wonders to create the best impression. It can transform the place and make it look bigger. In addition, you can use it to display your logo to its advantage.

Painting professionals have the necessary knowledge and experience. They can convert your commercial building into a work of art. Contact your local painting services for a free estimate.