Orange frame from the Colori collection from Framerica.

Orange frame from the Arles collection from Omega Moulding.

Take advantage of orange's current popularity for your autumn displays. It is a natural for fall, when pumpkins, gourds, and autumn leaves provide natural sources of orange color..

Orange is hot. Designers have been pushing the color for years. At shows like High Point there always seems to be a few really eye-catching products shown in orange, such as a sofa or contemporary outdoor furniture. It is a successful technique in that people give these pieces lots of oohs and aahs even if they don’t order one for themselves. The positive response is no wonder—orange is a bright, happy color that always attracts attention. “Its the coming thing” the designers would say, hopefully. But for years, it just didn’t catch on.
     What’s so great about orange? Most colors have both negative and positive connotations in our culture. But there are no negative associations with orange. It is regarded as friendly, warm, and cheerful. There is nothing serious about orange; in fact, it often conveys a playful character without having the silly, girly reputation of pink. It is bright but not loud, and it is regarded by most people as gender-neutral.
    Beginning last spring I noticed that orange had really arrived as an accessory color in mass-market catalogs and in retail stores. From wallets to food storage containers, from towels to desk accessories, orange was everywhere. Orange was also having a good time in the media, particularly on magazine covers. On a local level, I noticed that orange flew off the shelves. In some cases it simply sold out while there was still a selection of the turquoise, pink, yellow, and bright mint green that were also popular this year.
    Consumers love orange—in small doses. A T-shirt here, a mixing bowl there, and maybe a pair of flip flops or a refillable water bottle. They enjoy having it around but probably won’t paint the walls bright orange.
    Take advantage of the current popularity of orange. Use orange in your autumn windows and store displays. It is a great attention-getter and a natural for fall, when pumpkins, gourds, and autumn leaves provide natural sources of vibrant orange color. But don’t stop there. Use orange matboard as a backdrop in displays. Frame a couple of pictures in which the art or framing (or both) feature orange. Bowls of real oranges can last a long time and make a great decoration in the store.
    Be creative—find ways to let orange grab attention for your shop this fall.