5 Commercial Interior Design Trends You Should Know About

 

Find out the latest in commercial design—including building automation solutions and aesthetic trends that are changing the way we interact with restaurants, retail, and more!

Interior design is constantly evolving. Just in the last few years, events in the world have changed the way that we interact with commercial spaces. After being inside for a considerable amount of time, people have different expectations when it comes to interior design. Now more than ever, people are interested in spending their time in a homey feeling, warmly lit, and sustainable space. Plus, there have been great strides made when it comes to building automation systems that make interacting with commercial spaces more intuitive than ever. If you’re interested in commercial design and how it has changed in the past few years, keep reading to discover all of the newest trends and why they’ve become so popular. Let’s dive in!

1. Building Automation Solutions For Commercial Applications

By taking advantage of building automation solutions and IoT, commercial spaces can save money and create unique visitor experiences

Automation makes commercial spaces intuitive for all inhabitants. 

In just a few short years, building automation solutions have become far more affordable and 

easy to install. Where there was previously a pretty steep cost and expertise barrier to these kinds of devices, they are now relatively inexpensive and easy to install. There are several different ways that commercial spaces can integrate automation into their property. To begin, let's take a look at how building automation solutions enhance interior lighting.

Lighting

There are several different ways that commercial spaces can use automated technology via the Internet of Things (IoT). For example, it is beneficial for commercial spaces to automate their lighting using lighting sensors. Lighting sensors are inexpensive and battery-operated—meaning they do not require any professional installation. Once these sensors are installed, commercial spaces can operate their interior lighting automatically. Feedback from the sensors via the IoT commands the interior lighting and will automatically adjust depending on the amount of natural light coming from the outside. This type of automation makes the space more intuitive for managers and employees, provides the ideal level of lighting at all times, and helps businesses save money by conserving energy.

HVAC

While a lot of HVAC solutions are quite complicated, one of the easiest things a business can do to save money and improve HVAC controls is to install a smart thermostat. The smart thermostat can communicate with your system via the IoT—or a building automation system (BAS) if the building is large enough. By using a smart thermostat, businesses can get a greater insight into the amount of energy being used daily to heat and cool the space. Smart thermostats are to offer suggestions for ways to conserve energy and save money on heating and cooling costs. There is also the option to install occupancy sensors to inform your HVAC system when additional cooling is needed to offset body heat. That way, managers never have to worry about manually adjusting the thermostat.

Operations

Commercial spaces—whether they be retail stores or office buildings—can use building automation solutions to optimize building operations. One of the best examples of this is a restroom and common area cleanliness. By installing occupancy sensors in restrooms and other areas of the building, you can optimize your operations so that all spaces are properly cleaned at all times. If a restroom is more frequently used than other ones on the building, the occupancy sensor connected to the IoT or BAS will notify staff that a restroom requires cleaning. By relying on automation to dictate certain operations, you can ensure that staff is working efficiently and that each area of your building is cleaned based on occupancy rather than habit.

2. Focus on Energy Saving Fixtures and Sustainable Materials

Businesses are searching for ways to lessen their impact on the environment

LED lights help businesses save money and allow for superior lighting control.

Beyond building automation solutions, there are other ways to save energy and conserve without compromising style or functionality. The first application we want to address is lighting. For far too long, commercial spaces have been relying on inefficient fluorescent and incandescent lighting. While these lighting methods were popular in the past, they have quickly fallen out of fashion in favor of LED lights. LED lights are the best option for both environmental sustainability and functionality. LEDs are more easily controlled and offer far more lighting options including different colors and dimming options. Plus, they provide the same lighting level while using far less energy. Additionally, LED lights can be easily integrated into your building automation which allows for intuitive lighting application.

Beyond lighting, there are a few other ways that businesses can prioritize sustainable design in their commercial spaces. One way to prioritize sustainability is by choosing responsibly made furniture. Instead of going for the cheapest, mass-produced option, businesses are taking a closer look at where their furniture is coming from. For businesses trying to find sustainable furniture options, we recommend searching for furniture that is either reclaimed or handcrafted. In many cases, sustainable furniture will also last longer than mass-produced furniture, so you won’t need to order a replacement or redesign your interior anytime soon. By choosing furniture that is handcrafted or reclaimed, businesses are choosing the longest lasting and most sustainable option with the smallest impact on the earth

3. Incorporating Home Design Elements into Commercial Spaces

Sometimes referred to as “resimercial” design, these stylistic choices are intended to make visitors feel comfortable and relaxed

Offices are moving away from corporate-looking design elements.

Recently, the lines between private home design and commercial interior design have become a bit blurry. More commercial properties are searching for ways to make their space feel more like home for visitors and employees. Since we have spent so much time in the house over the last few years, people returning to work are searching for home comforts. Because of this phenomenon, “resimercial” (residential and commercial) design elements are more popular than ever for commercial spaces. This is especially evident when it comes to offices and coworking spaces. There are a few ways that businesses can make their space more comfortable including incorporating house plants, comfortable couches, coffee tables, softer shapes, and lighter wall colors. These design principles are all the rage currently, and it seems like it is going to stick around for the foreseeable future as people react to the cold, hard corporate design of years past.

4. Keeping it Simple

In an increasingly hectic world, minimalism is becoming more popular

Create focal points with colorful accent pieces.

The outside world can be overwhelming, there is no denying that. Because the world is so overwhelming companies are searching for ways to make their spaces more inviting to employees, visitors, and customers. By prioritizing minimalism in commercial design, businesses can ensure that everyone who enters the space feels comfortable. To properly design a space with minimalism in mind, there are a few things businesses need to consider. The first thing to identify is a statement piece. If you want to incorporate a piece of furniture or another design element into the space, it should be far removed from any other eye-catching design elements. Then, use the statement piece as a reference for any other elements that you want to include. Try to avoid any clashing colors or patterns as these are often distracting for visitors and make sure that you choose a few enough fixtures so the place doesn’t look cluttered. With a minimalistic interior, businesses can achieve a timeless look that won’t overwhelm or offend inhabitants.

5. Color Blocking

Using soft, natural colors as an accent makes commercial spaces more interesting and inviting

Accent walls add interest to an otherwise minimalist design.

For businesses looking for a way to update their interior with a low overhead cost, color blocking an accent wall is the easiest and most effective option. The first step for color blocking is to choose a natural color palette. The last thing you want to do when color blocking is to choose a color that distracts rather than adds to the space. We recommend using natural or pastel colors to avoid overstimulating employees and customers. It is also important to choose a space that people will see when they enter the space. Choosing an accent wall toward the back of the commercial space is often the best way to showcase your color-blocking motif.

Now that we’ve learned about the most popular commercial design trends, you can use our tips to improve your commercial space both operationally and visually. Even by incorporating just a few of the trends we’ve discussed, you can update your space and make your business more inviting for customers, managers, and employees.