Did you know that there are companies whose sole purpose is studying the psychology of color and how it affects people? You probably do, it’s really no big secret at all. Many color considerations are actually quite common knowledge. For example, I doubt that you have seen many restaurant interiors decorated in blue. Several studies have indicated that the color blue suppresses appetite. If you want to stimulate appetites, try red or orange. There are also other color associations that are deeply engrained into our subconscious. Red, for instance, is considered the color passion…think Valentines Day.

Another important point about color is that it can be extremely faddish. Don’t think so? If you’re old enough to remember Coppertone appliances you’ll immediately react with an “oh, yeah”! If you’re not that old think harvest gold, avocado green or poppy red. Current safer colors like almond, black and stainless steel will probably see their popularity wane in their due time.

My point is that color is fun, but it needs to be changed occasionally. I have been into stores that apparently invested in new updated environments ten years ago that look quite dated today. Take a look around. Guilty as charged? If so, consider a face-lift. Paint is not terribly expensive and you really can quite literally transform an environment in short order. There are a number of resources--books, magazines, and web sites for example that can give you ideas about the psychology of color. Even if you don’t buy into the idea of colors affecting people one way or the other, change can do you good. It can reenergize your staff and give your customers something new to notice and talk about.

One last note directed specifically at those of you whose stores are awash in beige. Beige floors, beige walls, beige fixtures! Come on, good grief! Have some fun! Put some color in your life! Sure faddish colors will change, you’ll have to redo the environment eventually, but what a great way to signal to your customers that your store is now and relevant.