Schools
Cafeteria Colour Palette for Schools
Choose colour against the surfaces that will stay. Test it on a large sample at the room's brightest and darkest points.
Explore the ideas
Compare the options
- Set the brief
- Collect samples of permanent finishes, upholstery and hardware before picking a paint or laminate.
- Compare
- Assign a background colour, one wayfinding or feature colour, and contrast where people need to distinguish edges.
- Before buying
- Check painted or laminated samples vertically beside the same light source the finished room will use.
Worked example
A living room has a patterned rug, colorful art, and an existing wood floor that all need to remain.
Use the rug and floor as fixed samples; select a restrained wall field and draw one accent from the artwork. View large samples beside each element in both daylight and evening light.
How to test it
Compare the samples in daylight and artificial light, and check that handles and door edges remain easy to distinguish.
Apply it to this space
- Layout
- Place queue, serving, seating, and tray return in a one-way sequence with separate entry and exit movement where possible.
- Detail
- Choose easy-clean tables and floors, with light that makes food and labels clear without glare.
- Trade-off
- A single queue is easier to supervise but can become slow at busy transitions.
- Simulate the queue with a full class group
- Check tray return does not cross incoming diners
The Elixir portfolio
Details worth a closer look
