Business e-Book Collection September 2013 | Page 12

Improve your ambience
Much like the house at the beginning of the paper, a new coat of paint can
improve things dramatically. It can give a lift to a tired space; make it look bigger
and brighter, or more cosy and inviting.
We’re told opting for classic neutrals like white, grey and beige is a trend-proof
bet that allows an area’s assets to take centre stage. However, a brightly coloured
accent wall can create a modern point of visual interest.14
You should also look at lighting. Light is required at your place of business for
health, safety and enjoyment. Clearing window spaces and improving your lighting
can make an incredible difference to a space.
Keeping existing windows clean and clear of clutter will brighten the space
instantly. Make sure both the inside and the outside of windows are cleaned.
Dee Ginthner, an Associate Professor at University of Minnesota who researches
interior design, tells us that lighting influences behaviour in the following ways:
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People follow the brightest path – this was proven in a study by Taylor and
Sucov15 – so, if you want your customers to follow a particular path through
your space, light it up.
Brightness focuses attention - Mood lighting or spot lighting can draw a
customer’s eye to a particular display.
People prefer to be facing a wall that is illuminated – there have been
several studies to confirm this.
Lighting can affect body position – think about light reflecting off your
computer screen.16

Natural light is another consideration – perhaps not so much in a store-situation,
but definitely in an office.
Christopher Bergland, in Psychology Today, tell us of a new study titled, "Impact
of Workplace Daylight Exposure on Sleep, Physical Activity, and Quality of Life,"
concludes that there is a strong relationship between workplace daylight exposure
and office workers' sleep, activity and quality of life.17

14

http://theapostalgroup.com/2012/04/25/a-new-coat-of-paint-can-add-value-to-your-home/

15

Taylor, L.H. and Sucov, E W (1974) The movement of people toward lights. Journal of IES, April 1974 p237-241
http://www.ies.org/PDF/100Papers/088.pdf
16

Ginthner, Dee (nd) Lighting: Its effect on people and spaces, Implications, Vol 2 Issue 2
http://www.informedesign.org/_news/feb_v02-p.pdf
17

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-athletes-way/201306/exposure-natural-light-improvesworkplace-performance