There are differing approaches to the use of colour in learning spaces throughout the sector. Colour can create mood, it can also signal the demarcation of a space - from floor to floor or indeed on the same level.

Glasgow Caledonian University's Saltire Centre uses different colours on each floor and this provides a visual aid to signal to users the differences in purpose of the areas they are leaving and entering. The university supplements the use of colour with audio prompts at entrances to reinforce the changes in space.

Edinburgh's Telford College has chosen to use colour and indeed paint generally very sparingly. They made the decision not to use paint on the majority of their interior walls, this means cost efficiencies for the future - with smaller maintenance overheads. What they have done, however, is use small amounts of colour at the entrances to each of the sections within the college and this gives an effective visual flag that users are moving into a different area.

Matthew Boulton College in Birmingham uses vibrant colours throughout the building providing a bright, contemporary feel. Different colours are used in different areas and wall colours are complemented by seating and floor covering in sympathetic tones.