Be honest. When you walk into most of the businesses you frequent on a daily basis, you rarely stop and think to yourself, “Wow, what a beautiful space.”
Why is this? Wouldn’t it be smarter, as a business owner, to make your space memorable, special and as unique as the services you provide?
With more than 10 years of commercial design experience, I’ve noticed many common areas where people tend to skimp on their budgets. To keep that from happening, and to prevent a tired, worn-down look from creeping in, my staff and I prepare businesses to plan on the front side of the project for all of the extras that will make the difference in the long run.
placing an abstract, colorful, frameless canvas updates a traditional space
Beyond your construction and build budget, you know that you will have to allow for some type of office furniture, lighting and possibly art and window treatments. While not every business needs curtains and chandeliers, that doesn’t mean you can’t make your space unique and impressive. Involving a designer from the beginning is a great way to budget for these “extras” to be considered so that there are no surprises in the end.
A designer can also give you vital information in the planning stages on where you can save and stretch your dollars so that your office space can be beautiful, comfortable and functional at the end of your construction or renovation process.
mixing exciting patterns with residential frames and spa colors can put any visitor at ease while waiting to meet with you. Even on a budget, the wood floor look can be achieved using vinyl planks
Let’s get down to specifics. One of the most common areas that business owners neglect in their spaces is the entire ceiling area.
Between the uses of outdated drop ceilings, “popcorn” finished drywall, fluorescent lighting, basic white finish color and only one ceiling height, this is a blank canvas screaming for attention. There are so many possibilities when beginning to address the space over your head!
In some applications, no ceiling at all is more of an update than using a drop panel. Having an exposed ceiling gives you great opportunity to open the room’s height for more dramatic lighting, industrial/chic aesthetics, not to mention it can be a great way to save a few bucks.
By having the ceiling sprayed black, gray or even white, you can dramatically change the look of your space. Pendant lighting can be used for path-finding while serving as a decorative accent that will leave a lasting impression on your visitors.
Paying attention to lighting, art and signage details in your corridors creates interest
In a more traditional space, using architectural options like a tray ceiling, applied wooden moldings or wallpaper can enhance your space in a grand way.
When it comes to walls, the typical commercial application of lifeless vinyl wall coverings or blah paint colors is a trend we recommend you let go. By choosing a dynamic wall color, or for the adventurous at heart, gorgeous wallpaper with an updated design like an imperial trellis or Greek key for accent walls, your space can take on a life of its own.
Sconce lighting can be placed throughout corridors for an ambient glow as well as an artistic touch.
But the show-stopper for your walls should truly be in the art you select. This doesn’t mean you have to break the bank. We find beautiful and affordable art every day — in fact, the most popular artworks we have sold lately have been large, colorful unframed canvases of various abstract designs.
architectural details in your ceiling adds height to allow the use of large chandeliers that will bathe the space in aesthetic lighting, a great improvement over dreary fluorescent lights
Mix your art with interesting mirrors and you’ve already updated a tired space.
Flooring, while keeping with commercial code, can also be a design palette to play with. Carpet, tile, wood, vinyl or even concrete can all be used in a more transitional application. The trick of the trade is to bring all of your surfaces together in a successful, seamless, cohesive design that comes off purposeful and impressive.
Cue the designer. The finishing touches of your space come down to your furnishings. This is commonly where we see the budget has been spread a little thin and less than stellar pieces are placed in the space to “just get the doors open.”
adding color and interest in a fun wall covering can warm up even the coolest space of commercial medical spaces
Our advice at Yeager Design & Interiors is to use a more updated, residential style of furniture rather than a less-than-impressive big box store option. Accent rugs, transitional tables and lamps alongside all of the other dynamic elements we’ve mentioned are going to give your space a signature, memorable, layered look.
The average person opening or renovating their business may find even thinking about décor a daunting task because of everything else they’re preparing for. This is why it becomes so important to involve a designer early on.
You can count on $75 to $100 per hour for their consultation fees, with much of the consulting happening early in the process, as well as at the end when all of these finishing touches are being put into place.
Involving a designer early in the process also allows them to collaborate most effectively with your contractor to provide a design for your space that is unique, functional and indelible to your partners, employees and clients. Commercial spaces often become your “home away from home” while also acting as an extension of your company and its services. Make that space effortlessly and classically stylish while also making it work most efficiently for your company, with inspired interiors where form meets function.
– To see more pictures of the projects featured in this article: Yeager Family Medicine , Martin & Seibert
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