An art form which really began to gain momentum in the 19th century, interior design catered to the domestic needs of the growing middle class. The benefits of commercial interior design however, really only came to impact our surroundings from mid to the late 19th century. The field recognised the potential of commercial spaces to have a greater impact on the lives of those who work in them as well as the guests and customers of those spaces. Naturally, this begs the question; what is commercial interior design and what do you need to know about it? Turns out there’s quite a bit to it, and we have all your answers right here.
Photo credit: cuttingedgeds.com Cutting Edge Interior Design – India
How do You Define a Commercial Space
The term commercial space encompasses a vast range of venues which can benefit from spatial design in one way or another. It’s safe to say that nearly anything other than domestic spaces have the potential to fit into this category. While the proprietors of those spaces may not all see the need for commercial interior design, the chances are they would still be likely to benefit from it.
Examples of Commercial Spaces:
- Offices and workspaces
- Retail spaces such as stores and shopping malls
- Restaurants
- The hospitality industry – hotels, resorts bed and breakfasts and the like
- Banks
- Libraries
- Country clubs
- Schools
- Theatres
Photo credit: homedit.com, Café/day coffee shop – Shizuoka, Japan
What Does a Commercial Interior Designer Do?
The field of interior design alone has expanded greatly over time, it is no longer simply defined as the implementation of design styles, colour palettes and placement of furnishings.
Scoping the Project
Before forging ahead, for the sake of clarity, the designer and the client will define the scope of work, discuss materials, set a budget and set a schedule.
The Design Brief
Now that some of the specific admin aspects have been agreed upon, the designer will extract and brief and then begin to further interpret their needs. The client is likely to have some ideas and inspiration, but it is the designer’s job to expand on these ideas by defining a theme and incorporating the identity of the business itself.
Project Preparation
The next phase is measuring the chosen space, drawing schematics and collaborating with the architectural firm to make important structural decisions. These decisions will include locking down the ceiling design, lighting design, floor design and window placement. A successful commercial interior designer must also have a firm grasp of construction codes and safety requirements, which will come into play at this point.
Photo credit: heartpatrick.com Bangsar office – Kuala Lumpur
Visualising the Space
Given predefined aspects of the project, alongside their involvement in the construction or renovation process, the designer will be able to pull together their brief, theme, the company image and inspiration to form a cohesive design. Their grasp on the history of commercial interior design, trends and design elements will be pivotal their creation of mood boards and a presentation from which the client will be able to visualise the end product.
Managing the Project
Although the project management aspect of the design implementation is already well on its way, the designer or project manager will begin to leverage their network of suppliers to procure lighting, flooring, fabric, furniture, wall art and other necessary details. All the while, the project manager will keep in touch with everyone involved in the project to ensure the deadline is met and the project comes in within the agreed-upon budget.
Handing Over
The final steps of the project are ensuring that the installation of the furniture and other elements has been successful, dealing with any hitches along the way. Finally, the designer is able to hand over the successful design.
The Skills a Commercial Interior Designer Needs
As mentioned above, a commercial interior designer needs to know safety standards and construction codes, there is a lot more to it than that though.
Photo credit: commercialinteriordesign.com Mauzan womenswear boutique. – Dubai
An Understanding of Form and Function
A commercial space has to be practical and functional as well as visually appealing. There are often what may appear to be more constraints than creative freedom, but that’s where all the magic happens. The skill involved in elevating a seemingly unremarkable space requires more than good taste and flair. Commercial interior designers are able to maximise the available space with clever storage solutions, attract more customers and improve the space for those working in it. The scope of commercial interior design is far more challenging than that of regular interior design due to the increased emphasis on functionality.
Design Psychology
Additionally, one cannot deny the impact that psychology plays on the successful design of a working space. The flow of human traffic, finding ways to make spaces more inviting, allowing room for collaboration, the creation of the right atmosphere and maximising efficiency require a deep understanding of human nature and the willingness to continually learn about it.
Ultimately one cannot deny the fact that commercial spaces serve very different needs to that of residential spaces. One can even say that it is the interior of the building which defines its purpose. A great location and a beautiful façade are nothing if the inside is neglected. Staff can become uninspired and customers may be eager to leave. What is commercial interior design? It is an essential tool in your businesses arsenal which you can no longer afford to ignore. This is the form of design which will set your business apart from others. To refresh your commercial space, get in touch and book a consultation with Nero now.
