Company Blog

Psychology of Colors in Business

• March 03, 2020
• 0 Comments
• Uncategorized
• Superior Linen Services

The importance of color choice in any business can’t be understated. How color affects business can be both subtle and clear. This is not only true of decor, interior design, and furnishings, but in the color of the linen and uniforms as well. 

Here’s why color choice of linens, uniforms, and floor protection is important to your bottom line:

What Colors Mean to Customers

Before we get to the right color choices for your business, it’s important to understand how customers internalize colors. The first thing to consider is that there are very few universal internalizations of colors. For example, a certain color’s impression on an American customer is likely not going to be the same on a Chinese customer. 

Understanding the market and culture that you’re selling to is part one of choosing the right colors to use within your business. 

The Effect of Colors on Perceptions and Emotions 

In a perfect world, customer choices are made based on need, budget, and availability. In the real world, there are many factors that go into a purchase decision. According to Psychology Today, factors such as social norm, nostalgia, and mental fatigue contribute to the decision to purchase. 

In other words, how customers are feeling in the moment could be the difference between a purchase or a walk out. In business, every possibility should be covered that might encourage a customer to make the transaction. If color in the environment could be part of their mental state, then that color should be geared towards “yes.”

Applying Theory to Practice 

Though there are few truly “universal” understandings of a color’s meaning and effect, there are many cultural associations. These associations can be used to great effect in your color decisions. Western culture has assigned meanings to colors over the centuries, and those associations are visible in art, literary symbolism, architecture and advertising. 

The Right Colors for Your Business 

The right colors for your business are entirely dependent on your business. What service do you offer, and is there a complimentary color for it? Is there a current theme or color scheme to take into account? What mood are you trying to put your customers in? The following color association run-down might help you decide: 

• White: Purity, Innocence, cleanliness, neutrality, righteousness
• Black: Authority, power, darkness, death, intelligence, removal 
• Gray: Neutrality, consistency, practicality 
• Red: Romance, warmth, gentleness, passion, intensity, blood
• Orange: Happiness, laughter, warmth, energy, hunger
• Yellow: Showmanship, intensity, sociability, optimism, attention-seeking
• Green: Natural, fertile, calm, health, money, growth, strength 
• Blue: Calm, remoteness, loyalty, serenity, wisdom, truth, focus
• Purple: Royalty, wealth, sophistication, mystery, respect
• Brown: Reliability, organic, security, earthen, comfort 
• Pink: Romance, love, gentle, agitation

For a Provider Ready for Any Approach, Call Superior Linen

No matter the color approach you take to your business (or want to experiment with), Superior Linen has the inventory and quality needed to pull it off. To start, give us a call at (253) 383-2636, visit our website, or contact us here for a free quote.

With how many forces are weighing upon the decision, having the right colors on your employees, linens, and mats could make the difference. Give us a call to see how we can work for you.