Furnishing a Room

When most people think of using an interior designer, they think about residential interior design. But interior design principles can help your retail business locations just as much as your personal home. Here are a few such principles and tricks, and how they will help your business. 

1. Room Flow.

The flow of a room is how people can move in, through, and out of it. Good flow should feel simple, natural, and comfortable. Because a retail store's goal is to draw in customers, move them around the store to shop, and get them to return, traffic flow is even more important than it is at home. 

2. Layered Lighting.

A good lighting plan uses multiple layers of lighting sources. In general, there are overhead lights, task lighting, and accent lights. Too many overhead lights may make your retail shop seem cold and unwelcoming. Too many accent lights, though, and people can't see what they're buying or working on. 

3. The 80/20 Rule.

This guideline helps interior designers find the right balance between two or more elements. For instance, 80 percent neutrals and 20 percent accent colors make a pleasing combination for paint palettes. Similarly, if you use about 80 percent of one furnishing style — such as vintage — the other 20 percent in a different style gives it a healthy break. 

4. Curb Appeal.

The idea of curb appeal refers to visitors' first impressions of your home as they exit their cars at the curb. In retail terms, this translates to both how your store looks and feels when a customer approaches it and its impression when they walk in the door. How can you boost curb appeal to draw in your target customers? Interior design theory will help.

5. Theme Development.

What design style should you employ in your business? Just as with a home, business owners often employ specific styles like farmhouse, eclectic, Art Deco, modern, Mid-Century, Victorian, Edwardian, industrial, and more. If you're not sure what yours is (or should be), you need a professional skilled in not only understanding these choices but also how to use them to build a cohesive theme or brand. 

Where to Start

Ready to get started designing the best interior for your store? No matter what your goals, budget, or challenges are, begin by meeting with a business interior designer today. Make an appointment to learn how they can improve your shop and your bottom line.