Commercial interior designers plan and design the interiors of offices, laboratories, retail spaces, and other places of business. The design is key to creating a pleasant workspace and ensuring the interiors align with the brand and overall business objectives. Below are ten common mistakes that can ruin the interior design of your commercial space.
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1. Poor lighting
The ability to make light work for specific spaces is one of the most fundamental design concepts. Using lighting incorrectly can make commercial space feel dull and enclosed. This can affect employees’ moods and reduce employee productivity. With regards to retail spaces, poor lighting can reduce foot traffic to the store and affect sales where certain products are not highlighted correctly.
2. Improper layout
It is important to consider the organizational structure of a business and the requirements of the team when designing the interior of a commercial space. An open-plan design can foster collaboration; however, it can also lead to more distractions and less productivity. In comparison, highly segregated working areas can look cluttered and hard to navigate
3. Poor break areas
Gone are the days of eating lunch at your desk. While many managers may not want to prioritize break areas for fear of encouraging procrastination, a practical and comfortable break area is important for employee well-being and satisfaction. The break-out space should be designed separately from the work area to provide a change in dynamic and help employees unwind, and should include relaxing colours and comfortable furnishings.
4. Lack of storage
You may be tempted to create a minimalist open plan working space, however, it is key to factor in appropriate storage features when designing commercial spaces. Lack of storage can generate organizational issues where products and resources may be hard to find and keep track of. It can also create health and safety issues should the resources be placed randomly.
5. Exposed cords and wiring
Not only are exposed cords and wiring an eyesore, but those pose a health and safety risk within a commercial space. There may be some instances where exposed cords are inevitable (employee computers, for example), however where possible they should be avoided.
6. Less is more – don’t over-style
You have likely heard of the phrase ‘less is more,’ which is particularly true for commercial spaces. Over-styling and over-furnishing can make the interior look cluttered, create tripping hazards, and encourage distractions and procrastination. The design should be kept simple, relevant, and on-brand.
7. Uninviting reception space
The reception area often acts as a client’s first impression of a business. Therefore, it is essential the reception space is designed and styled to be attractive, inviting, and aligned with the organizational brand.
8. Poor colour choices
It is important to consider colours and their impact on psychological reactions when considering the interior design of commercial spaces. Pastel colours tend to invoke a feeling of calmness and relaxation, which is great for welcoming clients to reception spaces. On the other hand, a bright colour like red is often said to make people feel angry and on edge, which can have an impact on employee wellness and satisfaction.
9. Wrong furnishing choice
Furnishings are often considered the ‘finishing touch’ of interior design. However, using the wrong choice of furnishing can result in poor overall space utilisation. It can impede movement within the space and create a sense of disorder which can ultimately have an impact on employee productivity.
10. No cohesive theme
Although a good interior designer needs to be detail-oriented, the overall theme of the commercial space needs to be cohesive and brand-oriented. Not only does a cohesive design look better, but it also helps enhance the flow of the workspace and optimizes the space available.