Article supplied by Donna Taylor, colour design manager, Johnstone’s Trade

For many years, commercial interiors largely played it safe with colour. Neutral palettes offered versatility and broad appeal, making them a dependable choice across workplaces, hospitality settings, healthcare environments and educational spaces.

Today, however, the role of colour is evolving. As clients place greater emphasis on experience, wellbeing and identity, designers are moving beyond purely aesthetic considerations and embracing bolder, more expressive palettes. Rather than simply creating visual impact, colour is increasingly being used to shape how people feel, behave and interact within a space.

In conversations with interior designer Grace Dettmar and Leanne Armstrong, Founder and Creative Director of Black Ivy Design, a clear theme emerged: successful colour schemes are increasingly driven by a deeper understanding of the end user. Rather than being led by trends alone, colour decisions are becoming more informed by psychology, inclusivity and user behaviour.

The shift towards bolder colour is not about creating louder interiors. Instead, it reflects a growing recognition that colour can be a powerful tool in shaping the overall experience of a space.

Beyond neutral

Across commercial sectors, clients are seeking environments that feel more distinctive and memorable. Whether attracting employees back into the workplace, creating engaging hospitality experiences or reinforcing brand identity, colour is playing an increasingly important role in helping spaces stand apart.

“Different sectors and clients are challenging what they’d normally want,” says Grace Dettmar. “They’re pushing boundaries and thinking in a more ‘resimercial’ sense. People want their spaces to be bolder and different to everyone else’s and having bolder colour strategies helps spaces stand out and feel more inviting.”

This confidence is encouraging designers to move beyond traditional neutral schemes and explore richer, more expressive palettes. However, today’s approach is far more sophisticated than simply introducing bold colours for visual impact. Stronger tones are often balanced with natural materials, textured finishes and softer supporting shades, creating spaces that feel both dynamic and enduring.

For architects and designers, colour is increasingly viewed as a key part of the design strategy.

Designing for behaviour and wellbeing

One of the key reasons designers are becoming more confident in their use of colour is a growing emphasis on human-centred design.

“It starts with doing the research and thinking about how we want someone to feel in a space, who they are and what their preferences are,” says Leanne Armstrong. “From there, it’s also about understanding what we want them to do in that space. Do we want them to relax, or do we want them to spend more time there?”

This thinking is shaping projects across multiple sectors. In workplaces, colour can define different activity zones, while in healthcare and hospitality settings it can influence comfort, mood and overall experience.

Designers are also taking a more nuanced approach to colour psychology. Rather than relying on simple assumptions about how particular colours make people feel, decisions are increasingly informed by context, culture, demographics and sensory needs. This allows colour to support both functionality and inclusivity, creating environments that feel intuitive and welcoming to a diverse range of users.

Considerations around neurodiversity are also influencing colour specification. Designers are balancing larger areas of muted colour with carefully placed accents to create appropriate levels of stimulation while maintaining comfort and accessibility.

Applying bold colour with confidence

As confidence in colour grows, designers are also becoming more creative in how they apply it.

Layering has emerged as an effective way of introducing stronger colours while maintaining balance. By combining multiple tones, textures and finishes, designers can create depth, warmth and visual interest without relying on a single dominant shade.

At the same time, colour drenching continues to gain momentum. By extending colour across walls, ceilings, joinery and architectural details, designers can create immersive environments with a strong sense of cohesion and identity.

While often associated with residential interiors, the technique is increasingly being adopted within commercial spaces where atmosphere and experience are key considerations. Grace Dettmar notes that colour drenching can create a sense of being “hugged” by a space, helping users feel more enclosed and comfortable. Combined with carefully considered materials, textures and lighting, it can contribute to environments that feel both immersive and reassuring.

These approaches demonstrate how bold colour is being used with greater control and intention, delivering impact while maintaining balance.

Creating commercial spaces that feel human

Alongside the move towards bolder colour is a growing demand for environments that feel more comfortable, welcoming and familiar.

As the boundaries between residential and commercial design continue to blur, organisations are increasingly looking to create spaces that people genuinely enjoy spending time in. This has driven growing interest in palettes that combine warmth with personality, drawing on earthy neutrals, softened greens, warm terracottas and deeper cocooning tones.

As commercial interiors evolve, the conversation is no longer about whether a palette is bold or neutral, but how colour can support the people using a space. For architects and designers, the most successful schemes are not necessarily the most dramatic, but those that balance character with purpose, creating environments that are both distinctive and deeply human.