You are visiting a new establishment for the first time. What do you do first? You take in the interiors and the layout of the space. Whether it is a home, an office, a restaurant, any commercial store, or even a hospital. That assessment forms the basis of our emotions and opinions about that establishment. And that is simply the essence and need of interior design. But at the same time, the interior design within a home or an office is drastically different in its needs, purpose, and personality. Decorating and designing a home caters to the homeowner’s likes, dislikes and interests. In contrast, creating a commercial space is about catering to a broader audience and their interests. Here is where commercial interior design establishes relevance and purpose.

What is commercial interior design? How does it differ from residential interior design? As we have read, residential interior design focuses on creating a welcoming and lively space for the residents. But there are other focuses of a commercial project. Regarding commercial interior designs, the priority is to develop a functional and goal-oriented space while maintaining the aesthetics and brand values. Here, the purpose isn’t personal but to boost financial gain. So, a commercial interior designer takes in the ideas and concepts of the client and develops them into a sleek space of clear function. One that promotes productivity, sales, or leisure as the situation demands. And each demand requires its unique style of approach.

Every day, we come across hundreds of photographs and videos of people on social media celebrating every occasion of life. They are in a restaurant having dinner with their family. Or they are having an intense meeting at work. Or they are out shopping with their friends. Or they are visiting their friend and their newborn baby at the hospital. It doesn’t matter what the occasion is; it is clear where they are. But how? All we see are bits of the background of their room, but those bits speak volumes about what kind of an establishment they are. That is the power of commercial interior design. The establishment is curated and decorated to resonate its purpose, style and function. The space makes you want to utilise its features to the maximum capacity. The office space encourages you to work; the retail outlet makes you wish to purchase more; the restaurant brings you back more often. What prompts that? The answer is quite simple. The space’s interior design has achieved its goal and functionality. And that is precisely why one needs to invest in curating the ideal setting. To hire specialists to do so. Create the perfect interior design for your business.

There are several styles and approaches to designing a space’s interiors. But when do we choose which? Simply put, commercial interior design depends on the space’s function, the required atmosphere for the room, and, of course, the client’s needs. Let us consider the four basic examples-

Here, the priority is to create a functional and creative environment with features to boost productivity –

The aim is productivity; therefore, all the design choices aim to fulfill that one purpose.

When it comes to a restaurant, the focus is not to boost productivity but to create a relaxing and comfortable environment. Here, we use

The approach, once again, is very different. Here, we need to

In this instance, the approach is quite contrasting to the previous cases. People do not visit this place for leisure or entertainment but as a necessity. So, how do we appeal to that need? We create a welcoming and luxurious atmosphere to make them feel special. We focus on

The colours and tones speak of comfort and aim to uplift spirits.

As we see in each of these scenarios, the interior design speaks for and reinforces the function of the space. It makes the space. A restaurant with the design style of a hospital or a retail outlet with office decor feels absurd, even on paper. Our minds are programmed to evaluate and emote about any room or establishment based on visual cues and ease of function around the area. For a commercial establishment, ensuring that the institute is explicit in its value and purpose while holding the brand identity is thus crucial.

Beyond all the industrial criteria, the site’s location and culture also play a role in the final interior design. As a commercial interior fit-out contractor in Dubai, we have worked on successful projects in corporate offices, renowned hospitality establishments, educational institutions, the F&B industry, and wellness centres. In all of these projects, alongside the client requirements and project needs, there is also a nod to the diverse culture, extensive development and the electric energy of Dubai.

A successful commercial interior project amalgamates several factors, concerns and requirements. The space should convey the function, speak of the vision, and create a sense of trust in anyone who visits. All the while staying true to brand values, client needs and ethical and legal requirements of the industry. The talent of a successful designer lies in creating the perfect combination.

Always remember: The interiors can make or break an establishment.