Interior design is an ongoing communication between your business and your customers.
What does it say about your brand when a visitor spots tears in your lobby’s chairs or outdated upholstery fabric? Nothing good, that’s for sure. Quality furniture is an expected standard for any business, whether it’s a small restaurant’s dining area or a major corporation’s lobby. Failing to meet this basic bar will tarnish your brand’s image. Fortunately for you, the U.S. interior design industry has never stopped evolving. You have more than enough options to find the perfect company aesthetic, the perfect combination of high quality wood furniture and artful accessories.
In recent years, many people have gravitated toward more vintage interior design styles. In fact, About.com lists vintage furniture as one of the top ten design trends of the millennium. A recent survey by Furniture Today also found that 57% of American consumers report a preference for vintage pieces. Of course, “vintage” can mean many different things, from bars that recall the dapper days of the Roaring Twenties to the neon retro stylings of the 1980s. These design choices shouldn’t be taken lightly.
But while trends come and go, some vintage design elements have remained a reliable constant. When looking for classic commercial furniture and upholstery fabric, here are some popular options to keep in mind:
Wood Furniture And Its Positive Impact
Wood furniture is both stylish and timeless. Whether you want to adopt a more modern approach or are attempting to recreate the mid-century era, wood table tops and high quality wooden chairs add a certain charm that can’t be easily recreated with any other material. Just as importantly, wood furniture is incredibly practical. With the right finish, wood tabletops and chairs can last for decades. Plus, the warm tone of wood blends in perfectly with a variety of interior design styles and color themes.
The Industrial Aesthetic
Have you noticed that many of your favorite restaurants now feature exposed ductwork and pipes overhead? Architects didn’t suddenly forget to install ceilings; rather, the industrial look has become one of the most popular schools of interior design in recent years. In addition to exposed ductwork, industrial design features lots of exposed brick, concrete, reclaimed wood, and metal surfaces. Retro-inspired furniture upholstery fabric also pairs well with the industrial look, which is especially common in modern offices and hip restaurants.
The Comfort of the Familiar
When designing the perfect commercial space, you can’t forget about your most important asset: your customers. Customers respond to positive emotions, and the nostalgia associated with vintage-inspired spaces makes customers feel instantly at home. Whether it’s the 1950s nostalgia of a milkshake diner or the super-hipster aesthetic of a 1920s-themed craft cocktail lounge, nostalgia puts customers instantly at ease. You can cultivate this feeling by using antique knick-knacks on the walls, hanging old paintings, and purchasing classic wooden chairs, tables, and mirrors. Your upholstery fabric can run the gamut from simple velvet to retro patterns to complete the look.
Why Invest In Your Company’s Interior Design?
Whether you realize it or not, your company’s interior design says a lot about your business. That’s why so many businesses invest in quality commercial furniture. According to Furniture Today, furniture sales are projected to reach an astonishing $120 billion by 2020, driven in large part by the commercial furniture sector. On top of that, the interior design industry generates around $10 billion in revenue every year, and Americans are only getting hungrier for meaningful design.
Ultimately, you may decide that the vintage aesthetic isn’t quite right for your business. But regardless of your specific tastes, your company’s interior design does impact the way customers view your brand. You ignore this basic fact at your peril.
