The Dos & Don'ts of Decorating Commercial Property

Whether you are investing in a commercial building and hoping to rent it out to local businesses or have decided to take the plunge and buy an office outright, the decor you choose is critical. And unless you want to rue some significant mistakes, it’s vital you plan and fit out your offices with a few things under consideration. In today’s guide, we’re going to go through some of the issues you need to navigate through, and advise you on the best decor tips for your industry. Let’s get started right away.

Do…start with neutral colors.

Be as neutral as possible in the initial stages of your decoration. This point is especially valid if you plan to rent out a building to other businesses, and it’s for the same precise reasons as you would decorate a private rental in neutral colors – you tend to get a lot more interest. A business owner should walk into the office in question and be able to picture themselves working there, and anything to gaudy or trendy is likely to turn more people away than it attracts.

Don’t…choose current trends over classic office style.

Office decor fashions come and go with the seasons, just like home decoration trends. And unless you want to spend another fortune in a year’s time updating your office, it’s best to stick with the classic look – whatever industry you are in. That’s not to say that classic can’t look incredible. As you can see here at Banker Wire, a customized mesh finish can add a touch of class in any environment, and keep things subtle at the same time. Wooden floorboards are another option that can lift the appearance of any office, and a few simple pieces of well-chosen artwork can be attractive and inspirational.

Do…consider your industry.

Of course, you should always bear in mind the expectations consumers have of your business type. A young, fresh advertising or media agency can get away with funky paintwork, exposed brickwork, and perhaps a room or two consisting entirely of decor designed to inspire creativity. But if you’re an accountancy firm, you’re simply not going to get away with it, and need something far more demure. If you are renting office space out, again, it’s always best to stick to neutral colors and allow your tenants to deck out the office how they want – not how you think it should be.

Don’t…go overboard.

Ultimately, no matter what industry you serve, a good office environment needs to be simple. If you stuff your working spaces full of distraction pieces or over intricate features, it might look great, but it’s likely to cause productivity problems, too. It’s important to remember that whatever route you choose, your office’s decor has a direct impact on the happiness, productivity, and absenteeism/presenteeism of your staff. Ultimately, however, if your design plans are practical, well-lit, and ergonomic, you can let your imagination run a little wild.

Do you have any memories of office design disasters or successes? Share your stories in the comments!