So, you’re jumping into a commercial refit, and you want to nail it! Whether you’re stepping into a new commercial space or you’re updating your existing one, this is an exciting chance to pause, take stock, and create a layout that will really serve you. It’s tempting to only pay attention to how a space looks or how it functions, but real success lies in a balance of the two. Don’t worry, there is a way to find it.
The specifics of your commercial fitout will depend on what kind of space you’re creating; for example, a retail space will have different needs than a corner office for a tech company. However, there are a few general rules of thumb that we lean on while refitting commercial spaces, and today, we’re giving them to you.
Read on for five tips to help you strike the balance between your commercial fitout’s appearance and functionality, all while adding one or two things that help it stand out from the crowd.
The very first thing to think about when diving into a commercial fitout is the purpose of your space. It’s tempting to get caught up in colour swatches and furniture selection, but doing all of this without a unifying golden thread can create trouble when it’s time to bring everything together.
So, before anything else, take a step back. Think about what you want your space to achieve. Do you run a retail store that should encourage your customers to browse? Are you after a co-working office that encourages collaboration? Is it a high-end restaurant that needs to exude luxury and comfort?
Let this become your guide. Every design choice should support that core purpose. This is how you can create a space that looks beautiful while ensuring it doesn’t become cluttered, confused, or nonfunctional.
Once you have your purpose locked in, it’s time to move to the next biggest job: the layout. Your commercial space’s layout is the foundation of how incoming customers, employees, or clients will experience your business. Great spatial planning will ensure any foot traffic flows smoothly as you intend, will create pockets for your employees to work efficiently, and make it intuitive for customers to navigate your space.
When planning the commercial fitout, we recommend keeping three elements in mind:
Once your layout is firmly decided, you can use that as a skeleton to layer in design elements that take things up a notch.
Speaking of which, our next tip is to select your materials carefully. Your commercial space design scheme will need to stand up to a lot of daily wear and tear, but that doesn’t mean you have to forget about the aesthetics completely. There’s a balance to be found here.
When selecting your materials, make sure to consider how long they will last and how easy they are to maintain on top of how they look. With these guiding principles, you can ensure your space will look just as good in ten years as it does at the ribbon cutting.
As a business owner, we don’t have to tell you that plans will change. Your business will evolve with the times, and ideally, your commercial space should be able to adapt alongside any changes you want to make as the years pass. A well-balanced commercial fitout will include flexible design elements that allow you to make those changes without any downtime.
Some examples of these flexible design elements include:
These elements will also allow you to make small changes on the fly as you respond to what your customers, clients, or employees want from the space.
Finally, we can’t forget about the most important aesthetic element of all: your brand. No matter what kind of commercial space you’re fitting, it’s fundamentally an extension of your brand. This is your chance to make sure you’re telling the right story.
For this particular piece of the puzzle, there are many tools at your disposal. The colour schemes you use, signage, subtler design elements, and even the layout itself can all contribute to an incoming customer’s perception of your brand.
Let’s explore that with a few examples:
At the end of the day, balancing aesthetics and functionality when completing your commercial fitout isn’t a game of sacrifice. It’s all about curation. By kicking off with a clear purpose, planning your layout with your customers in mind, and making well-guided design choices, you’ll have the space of your dreams in no time.
At QBS Construction, we have years of experience seamlessly completing commercial fitouts for clients from all walks of the industry. Bring your unique vision for your company to us, and we’ll bring it to life in your chosen space.
Get in touch today to begin your commercial fitout.
