Transform Your Workplace: Top Commercial Interior Design Trends
The importance of commercial interior design
Any enclosed space requires people to stay, reside or function, which surely requires some kind of interior design. Commercial spaces are no exception. With the fast pace of progress, we are seeing a change in almost anything and everything. Commercial interior design trends are one of the changes that we will delve into. Gone are the days when commercial spaces meant a monochrome set up with formal and basic furniture, just concerned with the work that needs to be done, the rest all factors relegated to the sideline. This change has been visible for a long time now. However, what’s new is the various experimentation and styles that commercial space owners are actively indulging in, matching steps with the demands of today’s age.
Try remembering any commercial space you recently visited. Be it an office, a restaurant, a retail store, a healthcare facility or anything that is a commercial and public space. You must have probably noticed the bright burst of colours or maybe a unique interior that grabs your attention. Well, that’s exactly what we will discuss when we talk about commercial interior design trends. Commercial interior design does have an impact and has become one of the differentiating factors, helping one stand apart from the rest. Thus, commercial interior design trends inevitably need to be understood. Do you have a commercial space that you wish to design following the latest trends? Stay tuned as Studio A tries to unearth it for you!
Simply put, when we talk about commercial interior design, we are talking about the aesthetics, functionality and designs of a space within commercial buildings. The main purpose of ensuring a good interior design in such places is that it helps to grab the customer’s attention, and for office spaces, it aids in a better employee experience. Commercial interior design companies should keep in mind while designing such places to cater to the needs of the owner, the purpose of the space and the people occupying these spaces. Staying relevant in terms of the market, technology, time and trends, along with eco-friendly measures, is yet another aspect that needs to be considered.
Effective and efficient usage of the entire space available is a major need, and precise interior planning aids in this. A good commercial space interior design boosts employee productivity and grabs customer attention, thereby creating more footfall, which benefits the business. Whatever your work may be in that commercial space, it is ultimately here that every work about it will be conducted, and you can’t go wrong here. Opting for a good commercial interior company that takes care of it all is necessary.
Current trends in commercial interior design
Coming to the trends that have taken this arena by storm entails a few of the ideas we are sure you have also spotted. One that has to be mentioned first and foremost is commercial furnishing, which is a fusion of residential and commercial design when it comes to furniture layout. The main purpose is to focus on the employees’ comfort levels in such spaces. Post a full-fledged lockdown, working from the comforts of home had become the norm, and getting back to offices did take some toll. And with that, the advent of this kind of furnishing was accentuated. It helps increase a sense of relaxation, which is needed in a tense work environment, thereby contributing to productivity. Warmer and cooler colour schemes and tones are yet another trend widely seen.
Neutral tones of white and grey, or cool blue or green with a pop of bold, are things you must have noticed quite a lot in today’s time. Including geometric patterns and shapes, adding natural elements like plants is also on the rise as it adds sophistication. Upgrading to the latest technologies concerning the interiors is a need for these places, and in today’s time, it is actively catered to. Integrating technology with the interior of your commercial space makes it more user-friendly, efficient and time-saving. Outdoor spaces in commercial workplaces are yet another trend seen as it is observed it boosts productivity and aids in the ideation process. Along with these trends, an approach towards sustainable design is witnessed, taking the environment into consideration.
After going through an overview of the latest trends, let’s delve deeper into some of the latest trends observed in commercial interior design spaces:
Biophilic design
In simple words, it’s bringing nature indoors, infusing natural elements like plants, water, and natural light into your commercial space. The hardness of the workspace and the gentleness of natural elements strike the right balance, which is observed to have multifold benefits. The inevitable connection humans share with nature is a proven fact, and precisely that fact is put into action in the practical realm. Natural elements are proven to reduce stress, improve focus, and keep a check on air quality, and this in turn, helps boost productivity and job satisfaction.
Imagine coming out drained after a meeting from the board room, and there you see a nice bushy plant by the stairs or the elevator, the sense of relaxation is bound to seep in. A cafe with indoor plants will surely tempt you more than the usual ones because it’s different and refreshing. Using bamboo, stones, leaves and other natural elements in the design helps incorporate nature into the workspace and increases the visual appeal and productivity. It is observed nature promotes overall well-being and who wouldn’t prefer that, making this trend here to stay.
Open and flexible workspaces
This has been a favourite in recent times in workspace interior designing. It entails providing different ways and places to work as opposed to fixed desks within four walls, which is often draining. Imagine it being a space divided into different zones as per the purpose. Do you need to brainstorm over an idea as a team? Sit in the open area designed with a casual tone and furnishing, leaving room to relax, think, discuss and decide. Completely exhausted and need a break? Go to the cosy lounge coffee area and refill your energy. Is your work getting monotonous? Shifting from one area and moving to another, your brain may get rewired and start focusing more. Have freelancers and contractual employees? Set up hot desks which are not fixed places, and one can just sit, do their work and leave.
All of the above-mentioned solutions sound so easy and flexible! That’s exactly what flexible workspaces are, also called flexi spaces. It helps the employee have a certain sense of control and ease over the often stressful work environment. It’s like functioning in different spaces and for different purposes right in the same place, relaxing, encouraging and time-saving. Open offices are yet another trending choice conducive for collaborative purposes. Integrating different kinds of workspaces as per needs leads to high-quality workspaces and increases the aesthetic appeal, positively impacting productivity. Commercial interior designers UK found an increased demand for such flexible workspaces as they help in co-working and multipurpose spaces, which has an overall positive benefit.
Sustainable design: Going green in the office
Increased environmental awareness has seeped into all arenas, and commercial interior design followed suit. Committing to preserving the environment and opting for sustainable office designs are on the rise. Designing the interior space with a focus on recycling, using eco-friendly materials, installing energy-efficient appliances, indulging in green practices, and reducing energy consumption are some ways towards this approach.
Using furniture made from recycled materials, adding natural elements, reducing artificial additions, and propagating sustainability help increase the visual and aesthetic appeal of a place. A rustic feel to your office is surely not a bad idea! A little flush of greens, a recycled focal piece, and energy-efficient lighting definitely sound like a green way to go! Being responsible towards the environment is everyone’s duty, and by incorporating such sustainable measures, we can definitely contribute our bit to it.
Incorporating technology in office design
Technology is ruling every area possible, and office spaces can benefit the most with the incorporation of technology if done the right way. The aesthetics, productivity and efficiency are observed to change drastically, and thus, its rise is on a spree. Technology directly adds to the layout, uplifting not only the look and feel of it but also the use of the space and design. Some of the most used technologies in office space are discussed further. Automated lighting is surely a boon, whereby one can control its light, tone, colour and effect. It can automatically turn the lights on and off via sensors, saving energy and cutting down manual work. Able to adjust the tone, whereby a brighter light for workspace and switching to dimmer tones when relaxing.
Smart HVAC systems are yet another need for today’s office design, as they help maintain a comfortable temperature without any hassle. Smart security systems with built-in sensors, cameras, face recognition, and other features keep the office space safe and secure and add to the space’s sophistication. Innovative connectivity solutions that enable high-speed Wi-Fi, wireless charging stations, smartboards, and connecting furniture and appliances add to efficiency and give a sleek appearance.
Rise of collaborative spaces
Collaboration is definitely a major success driver, thus, spaces, if designed and planned accordingly, can provide a conducive environment for active collaboration. Be it the furniture, layout, colour scheme, or patterns, when implying a sense of collaboration helps in the free flow of ideas and, thereby, an effective discussion, plan and execution. Co-working spaces are on the rise as one gets to exchange ideas from different realms that provide valuable insight and perspective.
Open layouts, flexible seating, adjustable desks, breakout areas, and coffee lounges are some conducive spaces for collaboration. Using colour psychology to one’s advantage helps. A brightly lit and coloured room will definitely prompt a sense of friendliness and warmth, encouraging discussion as compared to compartmentalised monochromatic desks placed one after the other.
Wellness-focused design
The increased awareness and need for one’s overall well-being is a welcome change. The change is of utmost importance to the work and commercial spaces as they are rife with work stress at most points. Having interiors that calm, soothe and relax the employees is necessary. Aesthetics does impact the human mind and behaviour to a great extent. Therefore, having such workspaces improves their well-being and, thereby, their overall productivity. Using colour psychology also has a positive impact on employees. Along with these aspects, efficient technologies, flexible spaces, and striking a balance between comfort and work through design will surely promote overall well-being.
Industrial-inspired design: Embracing a modern aesthetic
A rise in modern aesthetics is visibly seen in commercial spaces as it helps in stimulating the sense which in turn helps in better thinking, productivity and execution. The visual appeal and the comforts that modern aesthetics facilitate have made it a popular choice for commercial spaces. Often, modern aesthetics align with the company’s values and aims, which adds depth, layer and purpose to the entire space, directly connecting it to the work for which the place is used. The above-discussed trends are a part of these modern aesthetics, which will surely make a difference when employed well.
Conclusion
After looking at the latest commercial interior design trends, we hope you got some valuable insight into what makes or breaks it all. We understand it must be confusing at first, the design, the commercial interior design cost, and commercial interior design companies, and thus, we believe one should research and plan enough to make the right decision. At Studio A, we specialise in commercial interior design. Visit our social media handles and website to learn more about our work and to know more about interior design tips and information. Commercial space is different from our home; however, the time spent is often the same for employees, thus designing it the apt way, keeping the trends, needs, target audience, and purpose in mind is necessary.
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