Creating Iconic and Memorable Commerical Interior Design
Whether you are designing the interior of a restaurant, salon, or nightclub, commercial interior design is faced with the challenge of finding balance. Commercial interior designers and architects must work together to create beautiful, functional spaces.
The interior design of a public space, be it a bistro or a hotel lobby, must do more than simply serve utilitarian needs. It has both functional and aesthetic responsibilities.
In this article, New World Design Builders / K2 Studios dives into the thinking behind creating iconic and memorable interior designs that never sacrifice practicality.
Finding Balance in Commercial Interior Design
The secret to commercial interior design that makes an impression is allowing your mind to draw the blueprint while giving your heart free reign to create ambiance. We start by considering the canvas. What are the natural strengths of the space we have to work with?
Secondly, we consider the purpose. Is this a place where most people will stand and move around? Will patrons dance through the night, or sit in cozy nooks and chat? Perhaps both.
Finally, we look at the ambiance. How do we want people to feel in this space? Great interior design elicits emotion. It has a vibe. It may be subtle, but it is undeniable. If we’ve done our job correctly—anyone who spends time there should be able to put that ambiance into words.
Having a set of adjectives in mind will help guide everything from the color palette to the choice of furniture and the texture of fabrics and surfaces.
Balance in commercial interior design comes from
- Acknowledging the shape and form of the space you’re working with.
- Never losing sight of practical functionality and use case scenarios.
- Visualizing the atmosphere and mood you want to create.
- Giving each of these elements the respect and attention it deserves.
Playing to the Strengths of the Space
Is there great natural lighting? Is it prominent in the morning or afternoon? Both? Are we redesigning an existing space with vintage design elements like wainscotting, columns, or hardwood floors? Or are you working with a contemporary “clean slate”?
It is essential to recognize and leverage the strongest interior design factors. Making the most of natural lighting, exceptionally high ceilings or a grand staircase separates iconic interiors from the ordinary. It’s OK to begin with a theme in mind but look to the space itself first for inspiration.
Making an Impression with Modern Vintage Interior Design
The trick to making a lasting impression with the interior design of a restaurant, bar, or other gathering place is emphasizing the strengths without feeling too bound by convention. That means sticking to design fundamentals but having the courage to throw in a piquant twist that gets noticed.
This can be especially challenging when remodeling or redesigning an older building with classic design elements. But, when it’s done well, the results can be stunning. One of the more popular methods is to experiment with color.
A traditionally styled restaurant or lounge with structural or decorative columns, ornate ceilings, and other design flourishes that eschew simplicity can be transformed by color alone. Pristine fields of white punctuated by bold, vibrant jewel tones bring the whole space up-to-date.
Contemporary Interior Design with a Broad Brush
When you’re starting with a space that either has yet to be built or is largely a blank canvas, the approach to crafting a vision is a bit different. Modern spaces may not dictate the design direction as profoundly.
Here, we lean into the other two balanced commercial interior design elements. Functionality and atmosphere. How will this space be used, and how do we want people to feel inside it?
Of course, this doesn’t take vintage flavor or period-influenced interior design off the table. Far from it—we’re currently seeing a resurgence in retro-inspired design in commercial interiors and remodels, particularly for eateries, bars, and lounges. The results are some epically authentic spaces guaranteed to make an impression.
Take the brassy, low-light atmosphere of Winston’s Champagne Bar at Gansevoort Park Hotel, which glows with 1940s charm, for just one example. Alternately, a more eclectic and adventurous merging of design eras can be found in Brickwood. The interior design of this Meatpacking District nightclub is a feast for the senses that refuses to color within the lines.
New World Design Builders and K2 Studios: Vision in Action
New World Design Builders and K2 Studios comprise a collective of talented craftsmen, constructors, and interior design experts. Our work spans the spectrum from contemporary to biophilic design, always maintaining a steadfast commitment to enduring elegance.
Both architecture and interior design unite in harmony in the partnership between New World Design Builders and K2 Studios. This synergy makes us uniquely qualified to create comprehensive commercial interior design solutions.
Let’s begin a conversation about creating your ideal space.
