Commercial Real Estate: 7 Popular Interior Design Themes for Retail Spaces

When looking at commercial real estate listings, you don’t really have to worry about the little details. More often than not, the space will have to go through a major renovation. A revamp will be especially necessary if you want a luxurious feel to your space.

If you’re opening a shop and you’re looking for some of the best ways to overhaul the property, you might be in need of some ideas. To help you with that, here are a few of the most popular trends among high-end brands today.

Clean, Subdued, Minimal

While maximalism is still a great way to convey the feel of luxury, the minimalist trend has definitely taken hold of the high-end crowds. The clean and subdued lines they feature also seems indulgent and rich probably because it means you can afford to keep the place spotless.

Jil Sander, Rick Owens, COS, and Christopher Kane stores are some of the most popular examples of this theme. They may have their own takes of the trend but the cleanliness and bareness are still there.

Monochromatic

This trend is possibly one of the oldest that only gets new spins from time to time. Monochromatic design hardly ages because it’s simple and exciting. Some might argue that this is also a form of minimalism, but it’s still worth highlighting because of how much creativity is required to pull off this look.

Maison Martin Margiela, Denmark’s Stoy, Heike, and Christian Dada execute this concept in a very modern way.

Bare Cement

Bare cement and brutalist themes have made a major comeback in interior design in the recent years. This is why it shouldn’t be surprising to find luxury stores sporting the look, too. It oozes confidence and a utilitarian feel but with some sophistication.

Zaha Hadid, Bulgaria’s La Scarpa, Amsterdam’s ETQ Store, and Melbourne’s Kloke showcase this trend effectively.

Contrasting Details

Another excellent way to create visual interest in any space is by introducing some striking contrast between the elements. By keeping the lines clean and unfussy, it’s also an excellent way to achieve a luxurious look.

Chanel is best known for this styling with its primarily white with black details. They use it from their branding to their interiors so the consistency tends to make it look all the more regal.

Open Spaces

One of the best things that can make your commercial property feel more luxurious is more space. But because this comes at a premium, it won’t be wise for your business to get an entire floor just to create a high-end feel.

Vertical space can also work, so if you found a property with high ceilings, atrium, or split-levels, then you’re in luck. This can already serve as a unique highlight to your space.

Tactile Surfaces

Some brands want to appeal to all of your senses so they won’t just stop at the aesthetics of their space. Creating tactile surfaces can add another dimension to this approach, as it will also invite guests to feel what you have in store. Some stores incorporate furs, ridges, exposed brick, woven pieces, foam, wood, repurposed items, and other conventional construction materials into their walls and other surfaces to achieve this effect.

Residential Commercial

You know how some brands want you to get comfortable when you shop? Some retailers achieve that by creating a space that doesn’t feel like a store. Dior and Ralph Lauren are two of the high-end brands that are known to employ these methods. They have different approaches because Dior stores often look like a classic Parisian apartment while RL stores look like a classic home in the Hamptons.

More is More but a Little Less

Using more and grand details is still an effective way to showcase luxury in commercial spaces. However, with minimalism in full swing, brands and learning to execute this style with more restraint. So you can still use gold, velvets, and other rich and luxurious elements in your interiors to achieve your desired results.