How Design Impacts Customer Experience In Commercial Spaces
When you walk into a commercial space, whether it’s a lovely little cafe, a high-end clothing store, or a modern office, for example, it’s the design that hits you before anything else – that’s what you’re going to notice.
And by design we mean the colours, the layout, the textures, and even the furniture, because it all comes together to influence how you feel, how long you stay, and – crucially – whether you’ll come back or not.
The fact is that design isn’t just about making a place look good; it’s actually about making an experience that will help you make money and find new customers (as well as keep old ones happy), so with that in mind, let’s take a closer look at how design impacts customer experience in commercial spaces – read on to find out more.
First Impressions Matter
You’ll only ever get one chance to make a first impression, good or bad, and the design you choose for your space is sure to be a big part of that – imagine how you’d personally feel if you were to walk into a commercial space that had horrible harsh lighting, mismatched furniture, and uncomfortable seating – you probably wouldn’t stay all that long, would you?
On the other hand, a space that looks great and is pleasing to the eye is welcoming and comfortable and immediately sets the tone for a much more positive experience. So you’ll want to have things like warm lighting, layouts you can move around in easily, and general design choices that work with each other rather than against.
Comfort Makes Customers
Comfort is so important, and it’s got to be a priority when you’re working out how to decorate your commercial space, whatever it might be. What you actually want to do is make it easy for customers to want to hang around because the longer they’re in your space, the better – there’s a far higher chance they’ll end up buying something from you.
Comfort means using soft seating, well-placed tables, and durable but stylish materials like contract fabrics for your curtains, blinds, furniture, and so on. The great thing about these fabrics is that they come in all kinds of patterns and colours, so you can ensure they fit with your decor and they’ll last for a long time, making them excellent value for money.
Leaves A Lasting Impression
Something that’s so important to remember about great design is that it’s not just about function or good looks and aesthetics – it’s about being able to make memories and be unforgettable (which is what’s going to help customers return to you time and time again). The fact is that a beautifully designed space is going to leave a positive impression well after the customers have left, but it’s something people remember and talk about to others, so it’s an ideal way to stick in people’s mind and could even be part of your marketing strategy.
It might only be little touches in your mind, but those same little touches can be hugely significant in your customers’ minds, and that’s the really crucial element – being memorable in such a busy marketplace is vital to success.