How Retail Store Painting Affects Customer Mood

Color influences mood and mood while people are shopping can lead to more time in your store, more purchases. What is being sold in the retail store can heavily influence colors chosen.

Have you ever noticed that some stores are bright and colorful, while others are calm and quiet? That’s because the people who design the stores choose colors that match the mood they want customers to feel.

Warm Colors: Like a Burst of Energy

Warm colors are colors like red, orange, and yellow give of livliness and a burst of energy! They grab your attention and make you feel excited. Stores might use warm colors to make you feel like you need to hurry and buy something before it’s gone. That’s why you might see lots of red during sales or in stores where they want you to make quick decisions. 

One big box store in particular leans HEAVILY on red for their entire brand and this color can be seen used strategically inside and outside of their store. 

It is important to note that using only warm colors can be overwhleming, like when you’ve had too much candy! The big box store mentioned above does not use red on every wall but uses it more as an accent with a more neutral color scheme. 

Cool Colors: Like a Calm Breeze

Cool colors are colors like blue, green, and purple are considered calming, like a gentle breeze on a hot day. Stores that want you to feel relaxed and comfortable might paint their walls in cool colors. Salons and spas are not exactly retail but you will notice they rarely use the warm colors mentioned above. When you feel calm, you’re more likely to take your time and look around, which means you might find more things you want to buy.

For example, blue is often used because it makes people feel safe and trustworthy.

Green reminds people of nature and health, so it’s great for stores that sell things like organic food. 

Purple is a color that makes people think of fancy, special things, so it’s perfect for stores that sell expensive or luxury items.

Neutral Colors: Keeping Things Simple

Neutral colors include white, beige, and gray. These colors are simple and clean, like a blank piece of paper. They don’t stand out too much, so they let the products in the store be the star of the show. When a store is painted in neutral colors, it feels neat and organized, which makes it easy for customers to focus on shopping.

Neutral colors are like a good base—they can work with any other colors the store wants to add for special events or seasons. Plus, they’re pretty much liked by everyone, so they’re a safe choice for any store.

Big box stores that sell in bulk and department stores tend to keep interiors very neutral. They want you to focus heavily on the product and shopping. Neutral colors also will not clash with seasonal product displays that many of these stores rotate throughout the year. 

How Store Colors Affect Shopper Behavior

Now that we know what different colors do, let’s talk about how they influence customer behavior.

Making Them Want to Stay Longer

The longer you stay in a store, the more likely you are to find something you want to buy. Cool colors and neutral colors help make a store feel like a place where you want to hang out. When someone feels calm and comfy, shoppers are more likely to take their time, explore, and maybe buy something they didn’t even know they wanted.

Conversely, stores with bright, warm colors might make shoppers feel like they need to shop quickly. This is great for stores that want shoppers to make fast decisions, like grabbing a quick snack or buying something trendy.

Encouraging You to Buy on the Spot

Sometimes, when shopping, customers see something that they have to buy right away or what is more widley known as an impulse buy. Stores know that warm colors can make customers feel excited and ready to take action, which is why warm colors can sometimes be seen near the checkout area. That little burst of excitement can make customers subconsciously decide to add one more thing to their cart before you leave.

But in other parts of the store, cool and neutral colors might help them think more carefully about what you’re buying. This might mean fewer impulse buys, but it also might mean they are more likely to buy something bigger or more expensive after thinking it over.

Making Products Look Different

The colors around a product can change how you see it. For example, something that’s fancy or expensive might look even more special if it’s surrounded by dark, rich colors like navy blue or burgundy. But if it’s a simple, everyday item, lighter colors might make it look more friendly and easy to buy.

Stores also use color to help their brand stand out. If a store always uses the same colors, like red and white or green and yellow, you’ll start to recognize those colors as part of the store’s identity. We mentioned a big box store that relies heavily on red earlier and bet you can guess who they are simply because they are closely tied with the color red. This helps customers remember the store and feel more connected to it.

The Importance of Lighting

Did you know that light can change the way colors look? It’s true! The same color might look different in bright sunlight than it does under the lights inside a store.

Warm lights can make warm colors look even cozier, and cool lights can make cool colors look even crisper. This is why stores think carefully about the lighting they use along with the paint colors. Stores want everything to look just right so you feel the way they want you to feel when you’re shopping.

Tips for Choosing the Right Colors for a Store

If you were in charge of painting a store, here are some tips to keep in mind:

1. Know Your Brand: The colors you pick should match what the store is all about. Is it a fun and exciting store, or is it calm and peaceful?
2. Think About Who Will Shop There: Different people like different colors. Kids might like bright colors, while older people might prefer something more subtle.
3. Use Colors to Make Zones: You can use different colors to create different areas in the store. Maybe the entrance is bright and colorful to grab attention, and the main shopping area is calm and soothing.
4. Keep It Clean: Light colors can show dirt more easily, so think about how easy it will be to keep the store looking fresh.
5. Match the Decor: The colors should go well with everything else in the store, like the shelves, furniture, and decorations.

The Magic of Retail Store Painting

So, next time you walk into a store, take a look around at the colors on the walls. Those colors aren’t just there by accident—they’re carefully chosen to make you feel a certain way. Whether the store wants you to feel excited, calm, or ready to shop, the colors play a big part in your shopping experience. And who knows, maybe the right color is what helps you find that perfect item to take home!

If you are interested in retail store painting but aren’t sure where to start, contact Luke Kush’s Painting. We have over 40 years of experience in commercial painting in the Kansas City area and beyond.