The colors utilized in your pharmacy design are a key element in creating the type of emotional impact you want to have on your customers. It starts with your outside entrance and carries on as your visitors come through the door. Whether your store is located in a mall or out on the street, your customers will likely have just a moment to notice you and be attracted to what you have to offer. The use of colors can be a big part of this attraction. Here are some tips for using color to create an attractive and emotionally compelling pharmacy design:
- The colors you choose to use for your pharmacy should reflect its personality and philosophy, especially as it applies to your logo and exterior signage. These colors should be continued throughout the store and be integrated with your merchandising. This includes interior signs, carrying bags used for items sold at the checkout and can even extend to the colors of various fixtures and shelving.
- The old days of utilizing nothing but white- or almond-colored pharmacy shelving are gone. Shelves are now available in a wide variety of colors, materials and styles, and these options should be considered when deciding on how to outfit your store shelving displays.
- While your store walls may be best as a light, neutral color, such as white or beige, you'll want to add splashes of bolder, brighter pastel colors tastefully throughout your retail environment. By using a neutral wall color, you'll be promoting the image of professionalism and efficiency—just what people look for in a pharmacy. By adding some well-placed colors, you'll take the edge off looking too sterile or utilitarian.
- Interior signage is an important aspect of properly setting the stage for your customers and a great place to utilize bright, bold colors similar to what may be seen on billboards—bold yet simple. You want to grab the attention of passersby so that they'll stop for a moment and take a look at what's being offered, and creative, colorful displays can help do this. You'll also want to incorporate various signs throughout the store identifying the various departments.
- The lighting used in your pharmacy design will have a definite impact on how colors appear and emotionally affect customers. Fluorescent tube lighting, for example, has long been a mainstay in many retail environments but is now being replaced by less harsh lighting options. LED lighting has become much more affordable in the past few years and promotes a much more natural feel. It's also a greener alternative and will save on energy use. Today's modern shelving can be made with attractive lighting built right in, which further enhances the colors used for your displays.
- Another use of color you can consider that is trending in many of today's independent pharmacies is the use of non-pollinating plants displayed in various locations throughout the store. To help foster healthy growth and allow for the entry of natural outside lighting, skylights or exterior windows can be installed as well. Display windows used to attract customers walking by can also be opened up to the store's interior space. This will allow additional light to enter and also give customers a chance to view the display from both outside and inside. These display windows are an excellent place for the use of bold, enticing colors.
Create a warm and welcoming background with your color palette and the items on display in your store should pop. Create a store that brings people in and then keeps them coming back.
