By Revive Painting
•
July 28, 2025
Color branding is more powerful than many business owners realize, with research showing it can increase brand recognition by up to 80% [−1]. As we at Revive Painting & Wallpaper have observed throughout our years serving Saskatoon businesses, the right color choices aren't just about esthetics—they're about creating lasting impressions that directly impact your bottom line. In fact, 85% of customers identify color as a primary reason for choosing one brand over another. When it comes to understanding the psychology of colors in branding, we've found that colors act essentially as "mood magicians" with incredible power to stir specific emotions within us. According to research published in the Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, "like a carefully chosen brand name, color carries intrinsic meaning that becomes central to the brand's identity, contributes to brand recognition, and communicates the desired image". This explains why blue appears in over 75% of credit card brand logos [−3], while warm colors like red, orange, and yellow evoke energy, warmth, and excitement. However, it's important to remember that color meaning in branding can vary, as the same color may convey different messages in different scenarios. Throughout this guide, we'll explore how to develop the perfect color palette for branding your commercial space, drawing from our extensive experience as commercial painters. We'll help you understand how strategic color choices can transform your business environment and create the ideal experience for both customers and employees alike. Understanding Color Psychology in Business The science behind color choices goes far beyond simple esthetics. At Revive Painting & Wallpaper, we've seen firsthand how thoughtful color selection transforms commercial spaces throughout Saskatoon. Let's explore the foundation of effective color branding by understanding its psychological impact. What is colour psychology ? Color psychology examines how different colors affect human behavior, emotions, and perceptions. This field of study reveals that each color triggers specific responses and associations in our brains, many of which operate on a subconscious level. Furthermore, these reactions aren't merely subjective—research has demonstrated consistent patterns in how colors influence us in professional environments. During our years as commercial painters, we've observed how warm colors like red, orange, and yellow energize and stimulate, whereas cool colors such as blue, green, and purple produce calming, soothing effects. Neutrals including white, gray, and beige create balance but require careful application—studies from the University of Texas found that bland, neutral-only environments may actually trigger feelings of sadness in workers. Why it matters in commercial spaces Color defines the mood and ambiance of your commercial space and strongly influences how customers behave. Subsequently, it becomes a strategic tool rather than merely a decorative element. Research indicates that well-selected colors can increase sales by up to 15%, while thoughtfully designed color schemes can extend the average time spent in a store by 30%. For businesses in Saskatoon, understanding color meaning in branding is particularly vital since nearly 85% of consumers cite color as their primary criterion when purchasing a product. Additionally, a striking 93% of consumers consider visual appeal to be the primary factor in purchase decisions. Through our commercial painting services, we help businesses translate these insights into practical applications. How color influences customer behavior The impact of color on customer behavior is profound—people make up their minds within 90 seconds of interacting with a product, and 62% to 90% of that assessment is based on color alone. Color psychology influences everything from perception of value to actual purchasing decisions. Consider these practical examples we've encountered: a small café that changed its walls from beige to vibrant lime green saw customers spending 15% more time in the establishment. Similarly, a home goods store that switched display shelves from white to light blue experienced a 15% increase in kitchenware sales. This explains why successful color palette for branding isn't arbitrary. When we consult on commercial painting projects, we help businesses understand that blue evokes trust and security (ideal for financial institutions), whereas red stimulates energy and can even increase appetite (perfect for restaurants). Developing an effective color strategy requires understanding both the universal psychology of colors and your specific brand identity. Choosing the Right Colors for Your Brand Selecting the perfect colors for your business isn't just about esthetic preferences—it's a strategic decision that directly influences how customers perceive your brand. At Revive Painting & Wallpaper, we've guided countless Saskatoon businesses through this crucial process of color branding. Aligning color with brand values Before choosing paint colors, we encourage business owners to deeply understand their brand's core values and personality. Is your business innovative and energetic, or perhaps sophisticated and exclusive? These qualities should guide your color selections. For instance, tech companies often benefit from vibrant, bold colors like electric blue or orange that signal innovation, whereas luxury brands typically choose deep, rich tones like gold or burgundy to communicate sophistication. Our commercial painting expertise helps translate these abstract brand qualities into tangible color choices that resonate with your target audience. Understanding color meaning in branding Each color carries its own psychological impact and cultural associations. Blue evokes trust and reliability—making it ideal for financial institutions. Green signals growth, health, and sustainability—perfect for wellness-focused businesses. Red captures attention and stimulates appetite—explaining why it's prevalent in restaurants. At Revive Painting & Wallpaper, we help businesses understand these psychological underpinnings before finalizing their color palette for branding. Avoiding mismatched color choices One common mistake we encounter involves businesses selecting colors based solely on personal preference rather than customer resonance. Moreover, choosing colors that lack sufficient contrast or selecting too many similar shades limits design flexibility and visual impact. Consequently, we recommend businesses select 2-4 light colors and 2-4 dark colors that complement each other. This balanced approach ensures your commercial space makes a cohesive yet dynamic impression that authentically represents your brand identity. Building a Balanced Color Palette Creating visual harmony within your commercial space requires more than simply choosing colors that look good together. At Revive Painting & Wallpaper, we've found that a structured approach to color branding yields the most impactful results for our Saskatoon clients. Primary, secondary, and accent colors The foundation of any effective color palette for branding begins with understanding the hierarchy of colors. Primary colors typically cover about 60% of your space, usually appearing on walls and large furniture pieces. Secondary colors account for approximately 30%, showing up in elements like accent furniture and window treatments. Finally, accent colors make up the remaining 10%, adding personality through accessories and decorative elements. This balanced approach ensures your commercial space feels cohesive yet visually interesting, avoiding the chaotic feel of spaces designed without a color plan. Using the 60-30-10 rule The 60-30-10 rule has become a cornerstone of our commercial painting projects because it consistently produces harmonious results. Under this principle, your dominant color should make up 60% of the space, setting the overall tone. Your secondary color, accounting for 30%, provides contrast and visual interest. The final 10% belongs to your accent color, which adds vibrancy and highlights key areas. For instance, a retail space might feature neutral white walls (60%), wooden flooring and furniture (30%), and strategically placed brand-colored elements (10%). This formula prevents any single color from overwhelming the environment. Balancing warm and cool tones Yet another essential aspect of color palette for branding involves balancing temperature. Warm colors (reds, oranges, yellows) create inviting, energetic atmospheres, whereas cool tones (blues, greens, purples) promote calm and spaciousness. Nevertheless, overusing either temperature can lead to problems—too many warm tones make spaces feel stuffy, while too many cool tones can feel uninviting. At Revive Painting & Wallpaper, we often recommend the 80/20 rule, using your preferred temperature for 80% of the space and incorporating the opposite temperature in the remaining 20% to create balance. Considering lighting and space size Lighting dramatically transforms how colors appear throughout the day. North-facing rooms receive consistent, cooler light that may mute colors, unlike south-facing spaces which benefit from warmer, brighter illumination. Likewise, room dimensions influence optimal color choices—lighter colors make small spaces feel larger, while darker or warmer tones can make large rooms feel more intimate. Therefore, we always evaluate lighting conditions and spatial dimensions before finalizing any commercial color scheme, often testing samples at different times of day to account for these variables. Tips for Working with a Commercial Painter Working with a professional commercial painter transforms your color strategy from concept to reality. At Revive Painting & Wallpaper, we've found that the most successful commercial painting projects begin with thoughtful collaboration between business owners and painting professionals. Communicating your brand vision First and foremost, effective communication with your commercial painter starts with an in-depth consultation. Indeed, reputable painting contractors will begin with a thorough site inspection and discussion about your goals. Beyond this, be prepared to clearly articulate your brand's values and overall vision—professional painters can translate these abstract concepts into tangible color recommendations. Above all, don't hesitate to share your existing branded materials such as logos, business cards, and website colors, as incorporating these elements ensures your physical space reinforces your visual identity.
