Corporate Offices. Restaurants and Cafes. Retail Spaces. Hotels. Hospitals and Medical Facilities. Public Services.
No matter what kind of commercial space you own, manage, or work in, your space needs to deliver for you, your employees, contractors, clients, customers, and visitors on several fronts, including:
- Functionality
- Safety
- Accessibility
- Aesthetic Appeal
- Brand Identity
You also want it to be as fresh, welcoming, and on-brand for your business as possible. This may require anything from a complete renovation and refit of your space to small but effective interior design updates.
So, is 2023 time for your commercial space to be revamped?
Before you jump in, you should understand some of the basics of interior design and whether you need to work with a complete fit-out company in Sydney (or locally to you) or office interior designers near you.
It’s also a great idea to be apprised of current interior design trends for the commercial sector – so that you can create an impactful vision and bring it to life. Ideally, you’ll work with a provider like CMLS Commercial Interiors – who can do it all!
The Foundations of Interior Design
There are some specific things you need to pay attention to when it comes to any interior design project:
- Form & Function – your space must look great and also function well. This means considering practicality as well as comfort. Choose your layout, furnishings, and other features based on how it all fits together in a complementary way that also delivers in terms of function.
- The Golden Ratio – this, in simplest terms, is the 2:3 rule. Base your design and layout around the largest inclusions (e.g., pieces of furniture) taking up two-thirds of the space and work decorative or secondary items into your design around these.
- Colour – choose your colour scheme based on your brand identity (e.g., to complement your company or brand logo) and understand the impact colour can have in a room. Bright, light shades open up a space, while warm or darker colours make a space feel cosier and smaller. Blues and greens are calming; red and orange are energising. Pink feminises a space, while yellow is an uplifting colour. Blue is associated with authority; purple with creativity and spirituality. Black and white evoke power and sophistication.
- Lighting – can completely alter the look and feel of any space. Base your lighting level and design on the use of the room or other space and the mood you wish to create. Light fittings can also be a great way to add a decorative element to a room.
- Small Changes = Big Impact – you are not going to completely refit your commercial space too often, but keeping it fresh is very important. This is why so many retailers in shopping centres, for example, are contracted to refit their leased space every five or seven years. Small changes can be a great way to mitigate the costs of this while delivering in terms of aesthetics.
Top Trends for Commercial Interiors in 2023
Trends come and go, but some can really date a room or other space.
Here are some top commercial interior design trends which will stand the test of time and delight all who visit your premises:
- “Organic” Design – an uncluttered, natural-feeling space. It delivers a relaxing, welcoming environment for employees and customers. Aiming to bring the outdoors in, it incorporates natural materials (e.g., stone, wood, cork, natural fabrics) and indoor plants, water features, and plenty of natural light (windows, skylights). Metal accents can create an industrial, sophisticated result. The result is a feeling of connection to nature, positivity, and well-being.
- Integrated Technology – including automated lighting (e.g. restroom lights automatically go on when a person enters and turn off when they leave), security motion sensors, and more.
- Functional Art – serves both practical and aesthetic purposes. It may include architectural or acoustic ceilings, artistic light fixtures, custom furnishings, wall-mounted shelving, and integrated storage solutions.
- Colour – the right choice of colours can pack a big punch, and should align with your branding and your commercial objectives. The right use of colour showcases your space and draws attention. Current trends favour soothing, calming, natural hues (think shades of green and neutrals). Deep forest green, for example, evokes rich nature, mossy paths, and dense woodlands, and balances well with cool and warm accent hues, especially those earthy autumn tones that relate to nature. For those seeking a brighter aesthetic a vibrant reddish-orange is currently a very popular choice, paired with off-whites and blush-beige tones.
- Glass – from glass office partitioning to windows as external walls, incorporating glass opens up the space, infusing it with natural light, and splits areas in a more blended way.
- Prioritise Lighting – a bright, light space creates a fresh, positive mood and helps foster wakefulness, productivity, and motivation to work. Natural light is best, but not always practical or feasible. Lighting can also be integrated to emphasise certain design elements and create a specific mood.
- Sustainability – ever more important, consider using energy-efficient lighting, bamboo flooring, recycled or refurbished elements, natural stone, and low-VOC finishes and paints.
The right commercial interior designer will guide, advise, inspire, and collaborate with you to create the perfect interiors for your business.
Call CMLS Commercial Interiors!
Are you ready to take the plunge?
We are amongst the top interior fit-out companies in Sydney, working with a vast array of clients from the CBD to Parramatta and Penrith. With many years of experience in commercial defits, refits, fit-outs, planning and interior design, we have the creative and practical insight and talent to bring your new office, shop, or other corporate or commercial space to life.
Give us a call today and discover how we can help you!
