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The decoration of restaurants, clubhouses and other shared, communal spaces on estates is often a pulling factor for guests. An attractive space is more likely to be used or hired more frequently. What’s more, the colours chosen for these spaces will have an effect on those who visit, making colour choice an important decision.
Architects and interior designers working in such projects thus need to consider not only what the space looks like but also how it will make guests feel when they step foot inside. Colour causes strong psychological reactions in people, affecting how long they decide to stay. In order to create a pleasant ambience it’s best to lean toward colours that find the balance between aesthetic appeal and emotional comfort.
Before you begin picking colours, you should examine the brief to ascertain the kind of recreational space required. Is the estate needing a relaxing, welcoming environment that encourages long leisurely stays, or is a more fast-paced, high-excitement zone (think gym) the requirement? Considering the nature of the establishment helps make decorative decisions a lot easier.
Carol Ras of Plascon says, “We often recommend a neutral colour base to the owners of these public areas instead of picking a bold colour scheme from the outset. There is just more decorative potential.”
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Light, neutral tones are known to encourage feelings of calmness and are welcoming — which is a great atmosphere to cultivate for a restaurant or clubhouse that wants to encourage comfort and relaxation. This is where colours like 4 Salt Pebble, 25 Dried Leaf and 44 Light Grey Aluminium are perfect. You can even use a colour like 73 Powder Blue, which has the appeal of blue tones but is light enough to provide a neutral base.
Earthy shades like green, yellow and brown are particularly popular for restaurants or eateries that are focused on organic, natural, or healthy foods because they reflect the freshness of nature. Green colours like G2-C1-3 Ornamental Gardens, G5-C1-1 Jungle Book and G1-C2-1 Kiwi are also great choices for spaces that want to connect with nature and bring the outside, such as sports clubs or garden landscaping.
Red colour palettes are typically employed in fast food restaurants — like KFC and McDonalds — because red is known to stimulate appetites and impulsive decisions. Unless you’re looking to create a fast-paced environment, we recommend steering away from predominantly red tones to encourage patrons to relax and take their time. But that doesn’t mean you can’t add decorative touches of deep reds, like R7-C1-2 Majestic Promenade and R6-C1-1 French Kiss, to create a luxe appeal. These deeper reds, when paired with rich wooden tones, are actually perfect for members-only bars or lounges because they carry an air of exclusivity and sophistication.
The same goes for cool tones — there are specific psychological effects that cool tones have on human habits. They inspire feelings of calmness or thirst more than strong hunger, which is why they are often employed in spaces like pool lounges, bars or snack restaurants. However, it must be noted that blue works wonderfully for seafood or beachy-inspired restaurants because of its associations with the ocean. Try colours like 107 Tuscana Blue, B3-C1-3 Stone Cold, and B7-E2-2 Downy Dew if you’re wanting to use light blue tones.
Of course, you also have to consider the type of paint when prepping a public establishment on an estate. These high-traffic areas will need paints that are durable and long-lasting. We recommend Plascon Professional Superior Low Sheen as it is easy to clean with good scrub-ability. Plascon Professional Superior Low Sheen is also non-yellowing and UV and alkali resistant.
At the end of the day, colour theory for public spaces isn’t as cut and dry as it may appear. There are always exceptions to the rules and ways to work with certain colours – especially when colour choices are pre-determined by corporate identity guidelines. The proverbial “sweet spot” sits somewhere between the designer’s aesthetic interpretation of the brief and the public response.
Plascon’s colour team is on hand to assist industry professionals with precisely these decisions. If you have any questions or queries call the Plascon Advisory Service on 0860 20 40 60 or email advice@kansaiplascon.co.za.
