How to use colour psychology to strengthen your brand for your local business

Colour isn’t just decoration - it’s a silent communicator. Choose wisely, and your brand will feel trustworthy, energetic, nurturing, or professional - before visitors read a single word. This guide covers the major colours, what they communicate, and examples of recognisable brands in the UK.

Red: energy, passion, action

Red grabs attention immediately. It’s the colour of urgency, movement, and passion  -  which is why it often appears in sales, promotions, and gyms. Used in moderation, red makes your brand feel bold and confident, but too much can feel aggressive.
Famous brands: Virgin (airlines, Active gyms), Coca-Cola, YouTube.

Orange: enthusiasm, friendliness, creativity

Orange is cheerful and playful, combining the warmth of red with the positivity of yellow. It’s great for businesses that want to feel approachable and fun, like cafés or family-oriented shops. Use in balance with a neutral colour to avoid looking too busy.
Famous brands: easyJet, B&Q, Just Eat.

Yellow: joy, positivity, intellect

Yellow radiates happiness and optimism  -  perfect for catching the eye. Works brilliantly as an accent colour (e.g. to highlight offers or buttons) but can strain the eyes if overused. Softer yellows feel warmer and more inviting.
Famous brands: McDonald’s, Ikea, Post-it.

Green: growth, health, balance

Green instantly suggests nature, renewal, and wellbeing. Great for eco-friendly businesses, food and drink brands, or anything health related. Darker greens feel more traditional and trustworthy, while lighter greens feel fresher and modern.
Famous brands: Pret A Manger, Whole Foods, Spotify, BP.

Blue: trust, calm, professionalism

Blue creates a sense of stability and reliability. Light blues feel calm and caring, while darker blues convey authority and professionalism. Ideal for healthcare, finance, and corporate services.
Famous brands: NHS, Barclays, British Airways, LinkedIn.

Purple: luxury, creativity, mystery

Purple is associated with royalty and creativity. Brings imagination and prestige, perfect for beauty, wellness, and boutique brands. Brighter purples feel modern and energetic, deeper shades regal and luxurious.
Famous brands: Cadbury, Hallmark, Twitch.

Pink: nurturing, love, softness

Pink is warm, compassionate, and approachable. Lighter pinks are soothing and feminine, hot pinks are bold and energetic. Effective in beauty, fashion, and family-focused businesses.
Famous brands: Barbie, Benefit Cosmetics, Pinterest.

Brown: stability, honesty, nature

Brown feels earthy and grounded, perfect for artisan, rustic, or environmentally conscious businesses. Gives a sense of honesty and tradition, but can look dull if not balanced with lighter tones.
Famous brands: UPS, Hotel Chocolat, Timberland.

Grey & black: authority, sophistication, neutrality

Grey feels balanced, professional, and mature  -  often used as a neutral background to support brighter accent colours. Black is bold and timeless, representing sophistication, power, and elegance. Works well for high-end services, luxury goods, or strong minimalist branding.
Famous brands: Apple (grey & silver), Nike (black & white), Chanel (black).

White: purity, simplicity, clarity

White conveys cleanliness and simplicity. Helps other colours stand out and keeps designs feeling fresh and modern. Too much white can feel cold, but paired with vibrant accents it creates an elegant, spacious look.
Famous brands: Apple (minimalist white design), ASOS, Adidas (white background with black).

How South East London businesses can apply this

Pick 2–3 core colours that reinforce your brand values:

Greenwich café – Orange for friendliness, green for fresh local ingredients, and white for modern cleanliness (think Pret A Manger’s green and white with warm accents).

Welling salon – Pink for care, purple for creativity, grey for balance (similar to Boots No7 or Benefit Cosmetics).

Eltham estate agent – Blue for trust, white for clarity, gold for prestige (Foxtons or Savills).

Lewisham gym – Red for energy, black for strength, white for simplicity (Virgin Active, Nike).

Bexley boutique shop – Purple for luxury, cream for elegance, brown for authenticity (Hotel Chocolat).

Woolwich plumber/tradesperson – Navy blue for reliability, grey for practicality, green for eco‑friendly cues (British Gas).

Blackheath wellness clinic – Green for health, light blue for calm, white for cleanliness (NHS-inspired palette).

Use one accent colour to highlight calls to action, promotions, or important sections.

Keep consistency across website, social media, shopfront signage, and printed materials.

Free graphic resource

For an easy visual, Canva offers a colour psychology chart showing each colour and its key meaning. This is ideal to include in your blog for quick reference. (canva.com/colors/color-meanings)

Conclusion

Choosing the right colours for your business isn’t just about aesthetics - it’s about how your customers feel when they interact with your brand. From cafés in Greenwich to salons in Welling, the colours you select can communicate trust, energy, creativity, or calm before anyone even reads a word.

At Kyeeni, we help South East London businesses create websites and branding that reflect their personality and resonate with local customers. By combining thoughtful colour choices with clear design, your business can stand out online, build trust, and attract more of the right customers.