The Importance Of Colour In Leisure And Hospitality - Overview
The Importance of Using Specific Colours in Leisure and Hospitality Premises
When it comes to leisure and hospitality spaces, the colours you choose can have a huge impact on the overall experience. Whether it’s a chic hotel lobby, a cosy café, or a vibrant nightclub, the colour scheme sets the tone and can influence how guests feel in your space. Colour isn't just about aesthetics; it's a subtle but powerful tool that can shape mood, create atmosphere, and even affect behaviour.
Why Colour Matters in Leisure and Hospitality
First impressions count, and colour is one of the first things people notice when they walk into a space. It can make a room feel warm and inviting or cool and sophisticated. In the hospitality industry, where customer experience is key, getting the colour scheme right is crucial. The colours you choose can support your brand, enhance the environment, and help you stand out from the competition.
Understanding Colour Psychology
Colour psychology plays a big role in design, especially in leisure and hospitality settings. Different colours can evoke different emotions and reactions, so it's important to understand the basics before making any decisions.
- Warm Colours (Reds, Oranges, Yellows): Warm colours are stimulating and can create an energetic, lively atmosphere. They’re great for spaces where you want to encourage social interaction, like bars or casual dining areas. However, they can be intense, so it’s often best to use them as accents rather than the main colour.
Think about fast food who employ this technique to great effect, McDonald’s, Burger King and KFC all use warm splashes of colour to encourage a lively restaurant or drive through. Even businesses live Fiveguys and Nando’s implement the warm colours in their branding to convey a lively and casual atmosphere.
- Cool Colours (Blues, Greens, Purples): Cool colours tend to be calming and relaxing, making them ideal for spaces where you want guests to unwind, such as spas, lounges, or hotel rooms. These colours can help create a sense of tranquillity and are also associated with cleanliness and professionalism.
We see this used to strong effect with hotel brands like premier inn and hotel with their strong purple branding, while hoteliers such as Hilton and Radisson (Blu) choose deep and bright blues. Holiday inn choose green for their recognisable signage, and high end properties such as The Savoy (paired with classic gold colours), Clarridges, and Harrods all utilise greens in their branding.
- Neutral Colours (Whites, Greys, Beiges): Neutral colours are versatile and can serve as a great backdrop for more vibrant accents. They can make a space feel clean, modern, and sophisticated. Neutrals are also useful for creating a balanced, cohesive look, especially in spaces where you want to highlight other elements like artwork or furniture.
neutrals are seen in more bespoke settings, where it’s not about being instantly recognisable but rather being more subdued and classical in their styling. The Conrad, The Dorchester, The Ledbury and The Intercontinental are good examples here.
Choosing Colours Based on Function
Different areas within a leisure or hospitality venue serve different functions, so the colours you choose should reflect that. Here’s how you can approach it:
- Reception and Lobby Areas: These spaces are all about first impressions. You want guests to feel welcome and comfortable as soon as they step in. Warm neutrals, like soft greys and beiges, paired with a pop of a warm colour like burnt orange or mustard, can create an inviting atmosphere. If you want a more luxurious feel, deep blues or emerald greens can add a touch of elegance.
- Dining Areas: In restaurants and cafes, colour can influence appetite and social behaviour. Warmer colours like red and orange are known to stimulate appetite and conversation, which is why they’re commonly used in dining spaces. For a more relaxed dining experience, especially in fine dining or coffee shops, earthy tones and muted greens can create a calm, cosy vibe.
- Rooms and Lounges: For spaces where relaxation is the goal, such as hotel rooms or lounges, cool colours like blues and greens are your best bet. These shades promote calmness and can help guests feel more at ease. Incorporating softer tones, like light grey or lavender, can also add a sense of comfort without being too bold.
- Event Spaces and Bars: If you’re working with an event space or a bar, you might want to go bold and dramatic. Deep, rich colours like burgundy, navy, or even black can create a striking and sophisticated atmosphere. Pair these with metallic accents like gold or silver for a touch of glamour. In contrast, a fun, vibrant bar might use neon accents or bold patterns to create an energetic, playful environment.
The Impact on Branding
Your choice of colours also plays a significant role in branding. The colours you use in your leisure or hospitality venue should align with your brand identity and the message you want to convey. For example, a boutique hotel that aims to provide a tranquil escape might use a palette of soft blues and greens, while a trendy, urban restaurant might go for sleek black and metallics.
Consistent use of colour across your venue, from the walls and furniture to the marketing materials, helps reinforce your brand and create a memorable experience for guests. It can also set you apart from competitors, making your venue instantly recognisable.
Practical Considerations
While the emotional and psychological effects of colour are important, don’t forget about the practical side. Think about how colours will look under different lighting conditions and how they’ll work with the materials and finishes in your space. Dark colours can make a room feel smaller, while lighter colours can open up a space. High-traffic areas might benefit from darker shades that don’t show wear and tear as easily.
Considering A Change
Choosing the right colours for your leisure or hospitality venue is more than just a design choice; it’s a strategic decision that can affect how guests feel and interact with your space. By understanding the impact of colour and how to use it effectively, you can create an environment that not only looks great but also supports your brand and enhances the overall guest experience.
If you’re planning a redesign or thinking about a new colour scheme, an easy way to inject colour can be with planters that match your branding, items such as planters are moveable and free standing so can be used as eye catching accents without heading down the route of full refurb. Alternatively if you’re planning a refurb or are in the process of redesigning, contact us to see how we can support your branding with planters to match. remember to consider not just what looks good, but what feels right for the experience you want to create.
* main image credit Karly Santiago