You may not realize it, but the design of your commercial space can have a big impact on the success of your store. Before you get started on your retail construction project, you may want to think about the key design choices that can help you build a profitable business in the future. Learn more about how to design a successful commercial construction project in Dallas, TX.
Seven Important Design Considerations for a Retail Construction Project in Dallas, TX
1. Floor Plan
The layout of your floor plan is one of the most important design choices you will have to make. Depending on the size of your retail space and the kind of goods you sell, some layout choices are stronger than others. Your architect and construction team in Dallas, TX will offer you several options that can be appropriate for your business goals. You will need to think about your ideal customer and how you want customers to move through your store to make the best choice.
Pathway
The pathway plan offers a customer a clear path through the store, which may be ideal if your checkout kiosk is situated on the side of the store or near the front. If you want the customer to easily navigate through shelves of products and reach the checkout counter without any distractions, the pathway floor plan is a good choice.
Straight
The straight floor plan is most appropriate for a simple store where the checkout desk is at the back of the store. With this layout, most of the merchandise will be placed along the walls, which will lead the customer to the rear of the store to check out. Sometimes, this floor plan is best for smaller retail spaces.
Curved
A curved floor plan works well with a smaller space that has irregular angles. With a curved layout, the walls and corners of the retail space are curved or covered with merchandise, while flat walls are less crowded. You can even put up displays that encourage the customer to circle around, such as a table with best-selling items.
Diagonal
A diagonal floor plan is best for a retail space that has a rectangular or oblong shape. With this layout, customers are guided through the store diagonally to reach the checkout kiosk. A diagonal plan may have a center aisle that is free from clutter, somewhat like a straight floor plan.
Geometric
A geometric floor plan is usually best for larger retail spaces, especially buildings with higher ceilings. With a geometric layout, every inch of the retail space is designed to be engaging so the customer is guided through the space by each new attraction. Taking advantage of higher racks or shelves to draw the customer’s eye can be ideal since this will also allow you to display more merchandise.
Loop
A loop floor plan guides the customer around the sides of the store before funneling the customer to the checkout kiosk. If the checkout is near the middle of the store, this layout can be the best option, especially for a smaller retail space.
Free-Flow
A free-flow floor plan discards the idea of guiding the customer intentionally. Instead, this layout has an organic design that draws the customer’s attention to different displays. For a smaller retail space or a business that has limited or niche merchandise, this layout can be the best option.
2. Checkouts
Business owners will need to think about the placement and design of the checkout kiosk, as well. Ideally, your checkout counter should be easy to spot, which is why checkouts are typically near the center of the store, near the entrance, or visible at the back of the store. The checkout counter should also allow your future staff to see the entire store to keep track of customers.
Along with placing the checkout counter in a good location, you will want to think about how simple or complex the checkout counter should be. Adding nearby displays can encourage last-minute impulse purchases, whereas a simpler checkout counter can help your store feel more elevated. The technology you use for your checkout counter is another consideration, such as emailing receipts instead of printing.
3. Storage
For retail construction, storage is an essential consideration. Small businesses will typically need to store extra merchandise on the business premises, which means you will need to have plenty of space for a secure storage room in the back of the building. While the merchandise floor plan will take up the largest chunk of your building, you should make sure the back of the building includes a private office space, break room, restrooms, and extra storage.
4. Lighting
Lighting can have a huge impact on the overall ambiance of your store. If you want customers to walk into a space and immediately feel invited, then low lights, dim lights, and warm lights with traditional fixtures can help create your ideal tone. For a more modern approach, you can use industrial light fixtures and natural or cool light tones, particularly if you want to energize your customers.
Along with the ambient lighting for your retail space, you may also want to consider adding accent lighting. For a larger store, accent lighting with neon signage can draw the customer to different zones or displays of merchandise, and also help you organize a larger floor space. However, even smaller stores can use accent lighting to create a specific vibe, especially if the accent lights match the theme of your branding.
5. Sustainability
When you are making choices about the materials for your retail construction project, you may be inclined to focus more on the appearance of the materials. However, modern consumers care about sustainability, and opting for sustainable materials might help cut down on building or operation costs, so it may be in your best interest to opt for sustainable materials. Bamboo, recycled wood, and low-energy lighting can all be great sustainable material choices.
6. Colors
The colors you choose for your store are an essential component of your interior design. It’s important to remember that, while your merchandise will be seasonal, your building materials will not be. This means you will need to be thoughtful in your color selection so that your walls and floors don’t clash with your merchandise. While this doesn’t mean you need to stick to gray and white, it does mean that selecting neon yellow paint for the wall might not be the best idea.
7. Branding
Finally, you will need to consider the branding for your store. All of your design choices should optimize the brand of your business, which means your branding will need to be consistent throughout your exterior and interior design choices. The signage for your brand should be featured outside the building, on doors and windows, and at the checkout counter.
Designing your retail space involves making a lot of decisions that will determine the future success of your business. Factors such as your floor plan, colors, materials, and lighting can all directly influence your customers, while factors such as the checkout location and storage space will have an impact on your daily business operations. If you’re ready to get started on your commercial construction design, get in touch with Sayan Renovations & Construction in Dallas, TX today.
