business interiors – the colour blue. How to use your brand colour in the workplace

Karen Haller 01
Karen Haller

Interiors - How to use blue in the workplace.

Building brand awareness is just as important for small businesses as it is for the major brands. A great way to increase brand recognition is through your customer facing business interiors whether that is a store, boutique or office.

Create an interior that projects your brand’s personality and message. To not do this you will be missing out on an important marketing opportunity and it could negatively affect your brand.

Barclays Bank use the same tone of blue for their branding no matter where in the world their office is, leaving no confusion who they are. Using exactly the same colour tone will subliminally increase brand awareness and recognition.

Interiors - How to use blue in the workplace - Barclays Bank Milan. This opens a new browser window.

Business interiors – the colour blue. Barclays Bank, Milan. Consistent use of branding colour world-wide.

Here is another way Barclays have chosen to use their brand colour; on a subconsciously level through an art installation at their Head Quarters.

Interiors - How to use blue in the workplace - Barclays Bank HQ. This opens a new browser window.

Business interiors – the colour blue. Barclays Bank HQ. Subliminal use of branding colour through their artwork.

too much blue
If too much of a single colour is used, as in this example, the negative psychological effects could, over time be felt. Incorporating a psychologically harmonious colour scheme along with sound interior design principals will create an overall practical and cohesive space.

Interiors - How to use blue in the workplace - too much blue. This opens a new browser window.

Business interiors – the colour blue. Surrounded by too much blue and over time it can have a negative effect.

home office
If you want to create an atmosphere of calm, creative thinking, a place where you can focus and concentrate, then consider an injection of blue. There are many variations of blue so pick one that resonates with you and will support your needs.

Interiors - How to use blue in the workplace - home office. This opens a new browser window.Business interiors – the colour blue. Using blue as a feature wall.

To discover the positive and negative psychological qualities of the colour blue read my blog post colour psychology … the meaning of blue.

Does your business have the personality to carry off blue?

Want to know the  ‘7 Most Common Mistakes Business Owners Make with Their Branding Colours’.

Image credit: Mplusa-London, Studio and partners, My Furniture Showroom and House to Home

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8 Comments

  1. Nicola Holden on May 1, 2012 at 8:34 am

    I used to like blue in interiors, but I now find too much blue has more of a negative effect on me. I still love a bright peacock blue though, like that in Lord Leighton’s house in London.

    • admin on May 1, 2012 at 9:16 pm

      Hi Nicola, That’s the great thing about colour. We change colour to support our moods and how we are feeling. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself being drawn to blue again…

      The peacock blue tiles in Lord Leighton’s house in London are stunning.

  2. Tamsin Fox-Davies on May 1, 2012 at 10:08 pm

    I’ve always thought blue was a really boring colour for corporate carpets, but I love the variety you’ve shown here. Especially the blueprints on the wall.

    • admin on May 7, 2012 at 4:35 pm

      Dark blue can look very traditional and authoritarian so I understand what you mean by thinking it appeared boring. As you saw there are many different tones of blue with a more lively, fresh feel.

  3. Wendy Kerr on May 6, 2012 at 3:39 pm

    I once had the opportunity to choose the colour of my feature wall in my new office…our company had relocated to swanky new offices – I chose blue for its calming effects! Essential given he level of dysfunction there – and it worked – less arguments in my office than in others…..

    • admin on May 7, 2012 at 4:49 pm

      Hi Wendy, that would have been fun to do. Great you picked a colour that gave you the positive emotional support you were after. It would have made your work life more enjoyable.

  4. Tanya Rennick on May 14, 2012 at 8:10 pm

    I think navy and cream can look very smart on a yacht but I have always used blue and white sheets in my spare room, I think because it always looks fresh and crisp. Really interesting, thank you Karen. x

    • admin on May 22, 2012 at 1:57 pm

      Blues on a yacht really does evoke the nautical theme. And why not carry that feeling to the bedroom. Blue happens to be a great colour for the bedroom – relaxing and calming.

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