Businesses are by their nature dynamic entities. Their requirements change as they grow or move into new markets, and this can mean they find themselves in premises that don’t meet their needs. So we ask ourselves what do we do about this?
Moving to new premises is an option, but it can be costly and disruptive. On the other hand, staying put and adapting your existing space can be expensive too. Times have been difficult for businesses in recent years, and though there are signs of recovery, some may be wary of committing to major refurbishments. Fortunately, there are options that allow you to remodel an existing space whilst keeping your budget in check.
Plan for Customers
It’s important to plan carefully – by making a mock-up, for example – to get the right flow of traffic. If you have multiple premises, it’s also important to maintain a corporate identity, but allowing each store to have its own character can be useful too.
In retail and other customer-facing businesses it’s important to create a welcoming environment. This not only makes the staff feel at home, but it tempts customers to keep coming back too. Going too long between refurbishments also hints at a business that’s stagnating, whereas a periodic change signals success.
Think Outside the Box
When dealing with property, it can be easy to be constrained by having four walls and a roof. Whilst these are things that are hard to change, innovative solutions like a Fabric Roof from suppliers such as www.spatialstructures.com/building-systems-explained can change the look and feel of a space without the need for major structural change. Fabric can be used in place of conventional surface panelling and false-ceiling systems in order to give a new and dramatic appearance to what would otherwise be a boxy space.
Let There Be Light
Another way of changing the look and feel of a space without major upheaval is to manage the lighting. In some circumstances, in studios or design offices, for example, you’ll want to maximise the use of natural light.
In retail or food businesses you can use lighting to create a warmer or more intimate mood. You can also highlight specific areas or products using spot lighting within lower ambient light levels. Combined with clever use of colour, lighting can go a long way to changing the look and feel of a space.