What to expect from commercial interior designers.
A commercial interior designer is an interior designer who specialises in designing and decorating commercial properties such as offices, stores, and exhibition spaces.
In this blog we are going to look at what you can expect from working with a commercial interior designer, the qualities that a good designer possesses and how interior designers can enhance the presence of your brand. We will also be touching on the commercial spaces that interior designers work on, where the focus is placed and how investing in a commercial interior designer can take your business and branding to another level. Let’s dive in…
What is an interior designer’s focus?
An interior designer focuses on every visual element of a workspace – from the street view, to the finer details that make a building special. The more involvement they can have, the better the final look will be.
Commercial interior designers will sometimes join a project when it is still in the early construction stages, as this allows them to get a sense of the available space. By bringing a designer in before construction has completed, it also allows the designer to make suggestions based on the layout of the building. For instance, a commercial interior designer may notice the need for a seating area around reception, or a dedicated break-out space that is distinct from the rest of the building.
It is the job of a commercial interior designer to create a space that is comfortable, easy to maintain, and – most importantly – a space that reflects the values and the nature of the brand. This may involve sourcing particular colours and shapes that are inspired by the company’s logo; or adding a dramatic flourish to a reception area which will act as a conversation starter for visitors.
Usually, a commercial interior designer will follow a tight brief which has been developed in partnership with the company’s owner. This may include directives to accommodate a certain number of desks in an office, or to tell a story through décor. Or the company may wish to rotate its décor, in which case the designer will have to create pieces which can be easily swapped out or altered according to the season.
What qualities make a good designer?
A good designer will be creative and imaginative. However, these qualities do not mean much if the designer is not willing to collaborate. It is vital that your interior designer is prepared to follow your lead and listen to your brand ideology as well as the practical requirements of building a workspace. For instance, a small office may not benefit from loud, mismatched patterns on the ceiling, walls, and floors – but those same patterns could look great in a bright, high-ceilinged warehouse space.
Other practical considerations include making enough space for employees to be able to go about their jobs in comfort; and creating a welcoming space for visitors to experience when they walk through the doors.
It is also important that the designer can combine your brand ethos with a real sense of style – creating a cohesive brand identity for your firm, while also designing a space that you want to spend time in.
Commercial spaces covered by an interior designer
Commercial interior designers can work with an array of different spaces. This includes office blocks, office buildings, modular offices, warehouses, high street stores and offices, showrooms, medical centres, shopping centres, and universities.
This huge range of locations means that there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to commercial interior design. Each space comes with different requirements, limitations and possibilities – from the wood-beamed listed building which is being converted into a shared workspace; to the former factory floor which will soon house an art gallery.
For this reason, it is important to choose the right interior designer for your job. While most interior designers are well used to working with office spaces – front-facing retail businesses and hotels – for instance – are a completely different story. Always ask to see your interior designer’s portfolio before hiring, and where possible, choose a designer who has worked on similar projects before.
Why invest in a commercial interior designer?
Commercial interior design is an art and a science. It requires creativity and practical nous – the ability to both work with a particular space, while also making it stylish and work-friendly. Whether you are using a commercial interior designer as part of a general refit, or at the construction stage of a new building project, it is important to get it right.
By hiring a commercial interior designer, you are investing in the future of your brand. Your office will represent the home of your business for at least the next few years, and you want to curate a space that will inspire your employees, attract new clients and impress your existing client base.
Find a designer who can skilfully reflect your brand identity while creating a space that is safe, sleek, and fit-for-purpose; and it will pay dividends in morale and new business for years to come.
Find out more
To learn more about commercial interior design and what a commercial interior designer can do for your brand, contact Sisu Projects today.
We have an extensive portfolio of our former projects which cover a huge range of commercial properties.
If you would like to learn more about our past work, and about the services we can offer to your business, call us today on 0161 711 0779 and we will be delighted to guide you on your interior design journey.