How can commercial spaces benefit from interior design?

Look, I’ve been in the design world for longer than I care to admit. And if there’s one thing that still gets me fired up after all these years… it’s watching a business owner finally realize what good design can do for their bottom line.

Seriously.

## **The Money Talk Nobody Wants to Have (But Should)**

Here’s the thing — most business owners think interior design is just about making things “pretty”. Like we’re just here to pick out some nice cushions and call it a day.

Wrong. So wrong.

Good commercial design is about **psychology**. It’s about understanding how humans move through space, what makes them comfortable, what makes them want to stay… and yeah, what makes them want to spend money.

I worked with a cafe owner last year. Guy was hemorrhaging customers. Couldn’t figure out why. His coffee was great, location was perfect, but people would grab their order and bolt. You know what the problem was? The lighting. Harsh, fluorescent nightmare that made everyone look sick. We swapped it out for warm, layered lighting and suddenly people wanted to *stay*. Revenue up 35% in three months.

That’s not decoration. That’s strategy.

## **Your Space Is Talking (Whether You Like It or Not)**

Every commercial space tells a story. The question is… are you controlling the narrative?

Think about it:
– That cramped waiting room? It’s screaming “we don’t value your time”
– Those mismatched office furniture pieces? They’re whispering “we cut corners”
– That confusing layout? It’s shouting “we’re disorganized”

But here’s where it gets interesting…

When you nail the design, your space becomes your best salesperson. It works 24/7. Never calls in sick. Never has a bad day.

## **The Stuff That Actually Matters**

Forget the fluff. Here’s what good commercial design actually does:

**1. Makes People Want to Stick Around**
Comfortable people spend more time. More time = more money. It’s not rocket science.

**2. Tells Your Brand Story Without Words**
Your space should feel like your brand made physical. Eco-friendly business? Let’s see some sustainable materials. Tech startup? Give me clean lines and smart solutions.

**3. Improves How People Work**
Bad design kills productivity. I’ve seen it a thousand times. Wrong desk height, terrible flow between departments, nowhere to take a private call… it all adds up.

**4. Creates Instagram Moments**
Like it or not, we live in the selfie age. Give people something worth sharing. Free marketing, baby.

## **The Real Cost of Cheap Design**

You know what’s expensive? Doing it twice.

I see businesses try to DIY their interiors or hire the cheapest option… then six months later they’re calling someone like Interior Ave to fix the mess. Meanwhile they’ve lost customers, staff are unhappy, and they’ve already blown their budget on stuff that doesn’t work.

Smart design pays for itself. Period.

## **Getting Started (Without the Overwhelm)**

Here’s my advice if you’re thinking about redesigning your commercial space:

**Start with the problem, not the pinterest board.**

What’s not working? Where are people getting confused? What complaints do you keep hearing? That’s your starting point.

**Think in phases.**

You don’t need to do everything at once. Maybe start with that terrible reception area. Or finally fix that bathroom situation. Small wins build momentum.

**Get professional eyes on it.**

I’m not saying this because I’m in the business. I’m saying it because I’ve seen too many disasters. A good designer sees things you can’t — they’re trained to spot problems and opportunities you’ll miss.

## **The Bottom Line**

Your commercial space is either working for you or against you. There’s no neutral.

Every day you wait is another day of:
– Lost customers
– Unhappy staff
– Missed opportunities
– Money left on the table

Good design isn’t a luxury anymore. It’s survival.

And honestly? In a place like the Gold Coast where competition is fierce and expectations are high… can you really afford not to invest in your space?

Think about it. Then do something about it.

That’s all I got for today.

-Bryce