Material, Color and Pattern Selection
For Your Command Center
You would not believe how many project schedules are blown because of color selection
Anyone who has ever done a home renovation project with their partner will understand how difficult it can be to agree on a color scheme you both like. That is just two people picking colors; for command center projects, you may have a committee of five or more decision-makers, or you may even need to run your color options by your entire operations group.
The difficult thing about color is that people’s tastes are so subjective and varied that it’s hard to get a consensus on a color palette that everyone likes.
Think of designing your command center
like the tuxedo.
The tuxedo has remained virtually unchanged since its creation in 1865 because it’s universally associated with refinement and sophistication. While it might not be everyone’s first choice for daily wear, it’s something everyone agrees looks elegant and appropriate in the right context. Similarly, your command center’s design and colors should aim for universal appeal, prioritizing a refined and cohesive look over personal preferences.
The style and colors that you select for your control room and your console design may not be what you would pick for your own home. However, you are trying to do the design equivalent of creating a tuxedo: you want to make something that everyone finds attractive, even if it is not what they would choose for themselves.
In this article, I’m going to offer a combination of best practices for command centers based on ISO 11064 that influence color and material selection, as well as some of my personal opinions, to help you make better color and material choices that have universal appeal.
The principals states in ISO 11064 better define the needs for specific contrasting tones within the command center, specifically for elements that need to stand out like push button controls, kill switches and alarms to ensure they remain visible no matter the context or situation
Avoid Highly Reflective Materials Whenever Possible (ISO 11064)
We tend to associate glossy paints and materials with “newness.” Think of the expression “shiny new car.”
However, the problem with highly reflective finishes in control centers is that they create glare from lights, which can reflect into operators’ eyes. Reflective surfaces also do not conceal scratches and blemishes that can accumulate in 24/7 environments.
Reflective wall finishes like glass walls or windows are quite common in control centers. They can be particularly challenging, as they allow light to hit operators’ eyes or screens directly or via reflection. Special attention needs to be paid to how lighting interacts with these surfaces. Occasionally, a customer will tell me, “I want a modern and futuristic-looking control room—like the bridge of the Starship Enterprise.”
If you have a few minutes and an interest, check out these iterations of the ship’s bridge over the years: Starship Enterprise Bridge Evolution
That Enterprise aesthetic seeker is really asking me for 2 things:
Stainless steel console work surfaces and vertical panels.
Integrated ambient lighting.
Integrated ambient lighting isn’t a problem, but stainless steel surfaces pose the same challenges as glass walls and windows in terms of light reflection. Avoid any stainless steel-looking or glossy work surfaces, beyond the inconveniences stated before, glossy or shiny surfaces become a fingerprint magnet keeping your console worksurface looking dirty almost all the time.
Coordinate Console Colors with Other Elements of the Control Center (Personal Opinion)
Coordination of all color and material elements in the room is necessary for the best results. The specific color palette used is less important than ensuring all the colors look good together. The same principle applies to material selection.
Take this side-by-side example:
complementary or neutral console colors work well.
In rooms with neutral colors, control room furniture can include some non-neutral colors to add warmth and interest.
You aren’t always in control of the existing room aesthetic that you are putting these new consoles into. If you want the ultimate flexibility to select a console design that will match any room aesthetic, you will want a product that you have full control over the colors for the furniture.
Do not pick a color or pattern so bold that it distracts operators from their work. (ISO 11064)
Wilsonart ACACIA KASBAH Y0185 Laminate (yes, this is a real commercial laminate pattern)
Avoid Solid Laminates and Laminates with Linear Patterns for Worksurfaces (Personal Opinion)
The shape and size of a console work surface bring unique challenges for selecting a color. Most work surfaces are sufficiently large that a single sheet of laminate will not cover the whole surface. Additionally, most console designs have curves or angles that require angled seams where work surface sections connect.
When consoles have curves or angles, linear patterns on work surfaces make the seams between sections look more pronounced. Likewise, when designers opt for a solid white worksurface, seams (and dirt) are more obvious. Instead, opt for non-linear, texture, or subtle patterns to maintain a cohesive look.
Do Not Use Low-Cost Finishes in 24/7 Environments (Personal Opinion)
Low-cost furniture finishes, such as melamine panels or low-pressure laminate panels, might look good in showrooms, but they will not withstand the rigors of a real-world 24/7 control room environment. Invest in higher-quality materials that balance durability and aesthetics. Materials like High pressure plastic laminate, acrylic worksurfaces, or 16-gauge steel panels are better choices, which we incorporate into our console designs.
The Horizontal and Vertical Surface Colors can’t be too similar (Personal Opinion)
It does not look right when the vertical and horizontal surfaces match too closely.
The work surface and vertical panel colors should be complementary but different enough to create contrast. This rule also applies to floor and wall finishes.
We generally recommend a lighter work surface color and darker vertical panels, but console designs with dark work surfaces and light panels can also look great.
Coordination of all color and material elements in the room is necessary for the best results. The specific color palette used is less important than ensuring all the colors look good together. The same principle applies to material selection.
Align Color Selection with Branding & Corporate Identity
While functionality and ergonomics are critical in control room design, color selection also plays a key role in reinforcing corporate branding and company identity. Some organizations, especially in industries such as utilities, transportation, and security, have strict brand guidelines that extend beyond marketing materials to include workspace aesthetics.
If you’d like to consider corporate colors, predefined color combinations or even logos into console design and command center furniture, you could achieve:
Custom Punched Metal Pattern
- Consistent Brand Presence
A control room is often visited by executives, partners, and stakeholders. A color scheme that aligns with corporate branding creates a professional, cohesive environment that reflects the company’s identity. - Increased Employee Morale & Sense of Belonging
Operators working long shifts in 24/7 environments benefit from a visually cohesive space that reflects their organization’s identity. Subtle use of corporate colors can reinforce company pride and engagement, making the workspace feel more connected to the broader mission. - Improved Wayfinding & Area Distinction
In larger command centers, color can be used strategically to differentiate functional zones. For example, a company might use different accent colors for dispatch areas, supervisor desks, and operator workstations to create a natural flow and improve navigation.
Tools to Help Make Better Color Selections
- When I’m putting together a color palette for a control center, I often draw inspiration from the Adobe Color Architecture Trends
- Maybe I need to visualize these colors and patterns in a couple of different applications, then i turn to Coolors where I can press their visualize colors button and it gives me a couple of combinations to better understand how everything matches together.
- For more ambitious projects, I sometimes create my monochromatic color scheme using the Adobe Color Wheel
- These tools use color theory to assemble palettes that work well together, sparing you the need to guess or possess a deep understanding of color theory.
- For laminates, the Wilsonart visualizer is an excellent tool for visualizing color combinations.
Summary
Do’s
- Choose matte or textured finishes to avoid glare and scratches (ISO 11064).
- Coordinate colors and materials across all elements of the room for cohesion.
- Use complementary but contrasting colors for horizontal and vertical surfaces.
- Incorporate lighting thoughtfully to avoid reflective issues.
- Invest in high-quality materials that withstand 24/7 environments.
- Use tools like Adobe Color and Wilsonart Visualizer for palette creation.
Dont’s
- Avoid highly reflective materials, such as glossy paints and stainless steel surfaces (ISO 11064).
- Don’t choose bold or distracting patterns that can impact operator focus (ISO 11064).
- Avoid linear patterns on work surfaces, especially with curves or seams.
- Don’t use low-cost finishes like melamine or low-pressure laminates.
- Avoid overly matching colors between horizontal and vertical surfaces.
In the end, the best way to understand how your colors will mix and match with your current environment is to have our CAD specialists generate a photo-realistic render or 360 view of your command center that includes your console designs in your selected finishes, materials, and patterns. Reach out to get yours.
Evan Turner
Key Account Manager
Evan Turner is a Key Account Manager at Tresco Industries, a leading manufacturer of 24/7-use control room furniture. With over nine years of experience in B2B sales and proposal management, he has worked with Fortune 500 companies to deliver tailored solutions for mission-critical environments. Known for his expertise in control room operations and client-focused approach, Evan helps businesses optimize performance and efficiency with innovative furniture solutions.