Color has been studied by psychologists and marketers for its effect on emotions. Individuals have their own preferences for color choice, but there are some universal truths about how color can influence our mood. Colors can influence restaurant patrons to order quickly and leave, relax and enjoy a laid-back multi-course meal and even feel comfortable about spending money.
Red is a very popular choice in the restaurant industry. It has been shown to increase blood pressure, causing a feeling of excitement. It also stimulates appetite. Many fast food logos use the color red. Orange can make people feel comfortable and can bring on a feeling of hunger. Both colors can overstimulate emotions if used in excess by turning the feelings of excitement into aggression. Consider these colors for accents.
Yellow is the easiest color to see. That is why it is so easy to spot those yellow arches on a McDonald’s sign. It can invoke a feeling of optimism and joy. It does this by physically causing the release of serotonin, a chemical in our brain that makes us feel good. Yellow may help people think clearly and make decisions. This would make it a good color for menus.
Green is a good choice to use liberally in a restaurant. It is calming and associated with health and well-being. It may cause patrons to believe food served is healthy and nutritious. Blue also creates a sense of calm and reassurance, but may not be a good choice for restaurants. Blue is commonly used by diet companies and in gyms because it has appetite-suppressing qualities, mainly due to the limited types of food colored blue.
Brown evokes a feeling of comfort and works well with all other colors. It has an earthy feel that would complement colors found in nature like green and orange. Lighter shades of brown are a good choice for wall and exterior colors. Another good base color is gray. Even though it can cause feelings of isolation and depression, it makes a good starting point for color schemes because it works with the entire color spectrum. It helps to calm down reds and oranges and allows other colors to stand out.
