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Not every retail outlet should aim to be an IKEA store but the concept design of the renowned store, complete with idealistic model rooms, kitchenettes, laundry rooms, and kids' play spaces, are what attracts packs of customers every weekend.
Walking through an IKEA store as a customer might not result in a revamped retail outlet, bedroom or home, but it sure might inspire new ideas for your own home (without you having to purchase a bagful of its 10,000 products).
The mega-brand has nailed one thing about designing the perfect retail experience – it ensures that shopping in or browsing around the store is always fun and inspires a small-change sense of order.
They've basically made it possible to drop all your personal belongings and kids (in the lockers and playroom, I mean) before you excitedly embark on your weekend shopping escapade.
And might I just point out that everywhere you look, every square inch of space they have, which includes every wall and corner, is axiomatic of their main marketing strategy. It's amazing how much they, the interior designers, manage to fit so many features, tools, and furniture into each of their model homes. It'll never fail to impress me...every...single...time.
Take the IKEA concept and come up with your own customers' shopping experience by determining your customer traffic heat map to design your own ideal store.
So, let's start somewhere important – the walls.
A Pinch of Personality for the Walls
The best retail outlets in the world today share one thing in common - bare walls are rare. Often, there's a largesse of décor hanging all about to give it the store its personality. There's a poster, map or, sign. If there isn't a wall, there would be a strategically-built pillar or a lofting feature.
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What I am trying to get at is for you to not forget this - the walls of your retail outlet says a lot about your business.
Make use of some wall display racks, customizable or not, to show off your coolest products. Install shelves one on top of the other to get things off the ground. The most organized stores are ones that create the illusion of space and then inject it with a splash of personality.
You can easily do that with affordable wall panels, gondolas, island, and free-standing shelving units, cashier counters, magazine racks, garment stands, multi-tiered display stands, and deco boxes.
To take it a few steps further, enhance the wall panels with a range of accessories like hooks, arms, clips, baskets, shelves, boxes, acrylic holders and other creative Slatwall fittings.
So, even if the Slatwall panels are customized or standard-size, it's still possible to move things around when you want to change things up.
How to Add a Splash of Uniqueness
This list of ideas from Forbes Magazine shows homeowners how they can add their own personal touches to empty walls without straining the budget although I personally think it can get expensive.
Have a look at them a see for yourself.
Other alternatives:
- Framed pictures
- Wallpaper
- Plants
- Stand-alone shelves
- Paintings
- Mirrors
- Display of antiques
- Bookshelves
- Bright wall hangings
- Wall sculpture
For even more ideas, hop on over to this article from Elle Decor where they feature a Pinterest slideshow with 45 different ways you can fill up an empty, lonely, sad-looking wall.
If your store sells clothes and women accessories, I don't think it's all that hard to find inspiring photos and posters of fashion models in inspiring poses on the internet to print and display in your store. Alternatively, there are plenty of useful quotes out there you can use to create your own poster!
I'll show you two very quick ways to find and print out fun stuff to post of your retail outlet walls. One is to search for quotes....
...the other is to search for quirky, snarky comments made by celebs.
As effective it is to create an elaborate, crafty wall art statement like the ones shown in the above images, sometimes, it can be better to keep it downright and unashamedly simple and down-to-earth. It's also kinder to the wallet.
With the above illustrations, I am sure you're getting a little bit riled up with some of your own ideas and versions of the same thing. That's what inspiration is all about! If you're into DIY, get that idea to snowball into something bigger and more in-tune with your personal preferences and style.
Of course, if you're not the artsy kind, we always have your back!
And if you're actually a retail outlet, how about something neat, tidy, and absolutely spotless like this?
Or this?
Some of the wall decors may look as if it might empty out your bank account but in reality, it cannot be further from the truth. You'll have someone professional to look into the real estate with a laser-precision, advise you on the best options available, customize (if that's the best option) the design and panels, and then have it all fitted in for you.
Since you'll be saving quite heftily on time, professional interior designer fees, and effort, we say it's absolutely worth it!
Stand Out While Remaining Flexible with your Wall Decor
Using a wall-mounted display system like Slatwall can definitely redefine your store décor easily and affordably. You could end up with extra floor space to turn into a quick R&R spot for your customers' kids or add a free-standing gondola with nifty products on promotion.
If you decide to add new products or switch things around in your store, flexible wall-mounted display panels with grooves like Decowall allows for these changes quite seamlessly.
When used judiciously, you eliminate the need for new furniture or a new shelf!
Prime examples would be our Freewall and Wallnut series of wall-mounted display panels. They're slim, sturdy, and has an endless number of options when it comes to creating elegant-looking displays. On the surface, they look simple enough. But the powder-coated metal material can cater to many different looks.
Freewall panels are individual wall slats made of powder-coated metal material. Many of our happy customers agree that it is the best investment they've made for their businesses in a long time.
The same goes for our Wallnut wall panel display series. With almost the same flexibility as Freewall which conceals unsightly fixtures and imperfections on your wall, they're more modern, chic, creative and is absolutely straight-to-the-point.
The amazing thing about installing Slatwall panels in your store is that they're simple to adjust and offer a versatile solution. The grooves allow for repositioning, quick and effective adjustments to your selling space. How? Just take your pick from all the accessories we have in store which include shelves, hardware, hooks, brackets, baskets, acrylic displays, arms, clips, holders, and boxes and change them up as and when you like.
Designing your Own Concept Wall – Retail or Home
Having a concept wall is nothing new and, contrary to popular beliefs, it did not get its start from retail, commercial businesses, or the world of interior design.
It began in schools.
Remember that plain-looking board stuck with thumbtacks at the back of your classroom that your teacher consistently adds to over time? THAT's the original idea of a concept wall.
The idea behind a concept wall is for people, in this case 'students', to keep track of important details. They add new stuff to it as they go along to help gel everything that they've learned throughout the year.
The idea has, however, evolved. Today, it's quite common to see chalkboards placed either at the front or back of cafes or restaurants as a part of the design concept. The intention is for it to be a place for customers to leave supportive messages and relate their experiences while they were in the store, cafe or restaurant.
It's a living wall that changes because of new definitions, concepts, ideas, and key details.
The same way teachers and students add to their concept wall in the classroom, you can have your own living wall in your store too! The most important element to a concept wall is flexibility.
Just browsing through Pinterest and Instagram for concept wall alone will give you whiplash because of the sheer creativity and commitment of some people. Here are some examples I found intriguing.
With Decowall, you can easily and quickly create your own concept or display wall whether at home, in the office or retail outlet! The wall panels make it possible for you to create an art gallery, bookshelf, closet, storage space for your kids' toys, or a space to display your best products.
When placed in a strategic and prominent place, it creates a good impression and you know what they say about making a good impression...it counts!
Changing Things Up Without Straining your Budget or Wrecking your Wall
One of the biggest concerns about wall decorating is wrecking the paint job because of sticky tapes and nails. Many people I know would rather leave their walls bare because the thought of nailing in ten or twenty nails into the walls which may, at the end of the day, be temporary by nature, hurts not just their wallets but their hearts.
I feel you.
Repairing the walls will not only take much of your precious time and money but also some ingenuity. Patching holes up, filling up cracks, and slathering on a new coat of paint will cost you your business.
Apart from using our Decowall Slatwall panels with unique, versatile grooves, here are other ideas you may want to take into consideration as well.
- Using a clothesline
- Hooks with special adhesives. They, however, may not hold heavyweight objects like framed pictures too well
- Special tapes that don't leave a mark on the paint job, made especially for hanging light décor and items. Today, there are literally thousands of decorative tapes out there for you to choose from, especially in art-themed stores
- I've personally seen some really awesome decals in the market that are made for easy on-and-off pictures and posters that come in many different shapes and sizes. The idea behind the decals is that they're meant to be temporary, hence, the special adhesive
- Using magnetic paint and magnets to hang up objects around your home or store.
- If you don't have the time to do all of the above, wallpapers are fantastic options. All you need to do is to find out that suits your style and preference and stick it on!
The wonderful thing about all the ideas above can be applied across the board, be it your bedroom, office, store, or office cubicle. The key point is to play around with ideas and options, and own it.
Conclusion
- Think big, start small
- Adding a pinch of personality to your walls is easier than you think
- Creating the right impression means impressing your customers' socks off right from the get-go
- Adding a splash of uniqueness with anything from paintings to mirrors takes just a little bit of effort
- Use online resources to find inspirational ideas and stuff to print to add to your walls
- Keeping things flexible is important because you'll never know when you want to change things around
- Designing your own concept wall with Slatwall panels make life easy and simple
- Keep to your budget
- Think outside the box
- Use DIY ideas if you have to
We're into the 2nd day of a new decade and it's still not too late to think of something new for your retail outlet. If you'd like to have a look at some wall display racks in Malaysia or see what your options are for wall furniture for sale, you can always look us up at www.formedge.com.my, www.decowall.com.my, call us at +603-61566222, email us at enquiry@formedge.com.my, or pop by our showroom in Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
If you're more an internet person, don't forget to follow us Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, or Twitter. We're always online to keep our customers in the loop about the latest happenings and trends. So, hit us up.
Ready to revamp or reno your store to give it a new pow-wow look? Check out the video below created by Pitch.TV below!
Have an awesome new year ahead, everyone!
The whole point of a designing minimalist retail outlet is for the backdrop to be clean, orderly, clutter-free, neutral, and absolutely pleasing to the eyes. Some might say it works the way a museum does where everything is kept neutral but with a few key points that simply SINGS when they meet your eyes.
You've invested money into ensuring your displays are not only pleasing to the eyes but would also help your customers find what they're looking for. But along the way, there will be speed bumps for pause. Don't forget that.
So, it is absolutely crucial to take a clear look at your retail floor plan before deciding on the shelves and decor. This can still be done without the help of an interior designer, although it is, admittedly, much easier with the keen eagle-eye, and experience of one.
The Decompression Zone and Checkout Counter
One important element we must never forget is to focus on the position of your checkout counter and traffic flow.
- Position of the checkout and entry point(s) has a huge influence on the overall shopping experience of your customers and their behavior
- Traffic flow helps your customers instantly spot stuff they like. The reason they stepped foot into your store has to be apparent to them right from the start. These products should receive maximum exposure. For instance, stuff on sale.
- Place fixtures like gondolas, standalone shelves, wall-mounted shelves, and decorative displays to keep your customers from walking out. Every now and then, there should be something to catch their eyes.
Interior designers would often try to keep the space in front of the entrance approximately 5 to 15 feet wide...but it is OK if you don’t have that real estate luxury. Called the 'decompression zone', it's where people transition from the outside environment to a smaller, most probably, indoor one. It is common for them to either come to a full stop to take in the overall feel of your store or slow down to a sauntering gait to soak in the environment.
The truth of the matter is this is precisely where they make the most judgments based almost solely on their first impression. Simple things like lightings, the position of shelves, cleanliness of the retail store, coordination of your displays, the smile of your salespeople, and the color theme are all taken in in one sweeping glance.
This transition can be rather confusing and they’ll likely miss the small intricate details that you’ve gone the extra mile to do up which includes shelving decor, carpeting, posters and more.
That’s why it’s important to first have an as clear as possible interior decor plan in mind before purchasing shelves and display units.
Staying Organized in Style Without Splurging
Decorating a home or store doesn’t come easily to everyone. Otherwise, interior designers would not be able to place the kind of price tags on their services like they do today. As a beginner, the endless number of possible designs and concepts can be overwhelming.
So, if you want to keep things simply organized, appealing, and clean, instead of making a grand plan, it's better to start making a list of things you DON’T want.
For example, you don’t want it to have a rustic look so, you rule out browns, blacks, and wood furniture. If you prefer to keep things clear off the floor, you don’t want cluttered displays that take up a lot of space.
Many people opt for floating shelves which you can quickly hammer into the wall. Not only do they take up very little space, they're also easy to personalize. In fact, there are hidden brackets and accessories in the market to help you create the seamless, organized look you want. We know retailers who actually change up their displays every so often just to keep things fresh and to highlight new products!
A compact shelf design will allow you to decorate without taking up too much space or cut into your budget. These shelves use hidden brackets to create seamless looks enhances any room or space.
Don't forget to also do your own research online. Pinterest and Instagram are awesome places to scour and study retail outlet design. You might even want to organize your Pinterest boards with differently-themed designs so that you can change them as the year goes along. Have a board for Chinese New Year, Christmas, Deepavali, Big Promo sale, etc...so that when the time comes, you'll know exactly what to do!
If you have a business partner, have him or her look at the designs for a different perspective. We’re also pretty sure your family and friends are more than happy to provide you with some feedback!
Mindful Minimalist Decoration
The best ways to achieve the minimalist look for your retail outlet is to utilize the walls, get things off the floor, keep to the same color theme, and ensure the decor on your display racks are skillfully organized.
Many interior designers will tell you the same thing: if you don’t want to confuse your customers when they walk through the door, choose white, off-white, or beige. It's hard to go wrong with these neutral colors.
Quote: “As a good rule of thumb, about 2-3″ between pieces is a great place to start but then play with your pieces and move them around until they look right to your eye” - Kris Jarrett
When your store has a minimalist look, whatever else you choose to place in your store tends to more easily snatch the spotlight. It sets the stage for them to shine even when there are a lot of products on display.
The theme can also change according to season and according to promo periods. You can decorate the walls and shelves with just about anything which includes feathers in vases, natural-looking wheat decoration, flowers, or posters of products on promotion. Pretty much anything goes with a minimalist design.
In fact, you can go even further with creative DIY ideas like using wrapping paper, gift wrappers, scrapbook paper, inspirational posters, gift bags, thank-you cards from your customers, kids’ art, original paintings and scribblings, dried leaves and flowers, old book (ripped ones too!) pages, antique documents and decor, printables, and of course, meaningful photographs.
The idea goes well if you’re trying for the eco-friendly store look.
You can also take your cue from The Zoe Report's 10 Designer-Approved Home Decor Gifts for the Minimalist In Your Life if you don’t know where to start.
The Wonders of Long-Lasting Wall-Mounted Shelves
Depending on the quality of the shelves, they can last up to a decade, with proper and regular maintenance. So, before you buy the shelves, find out more about the kind of material it is made of because some shelving systems, be it for home or retail, are not weather-proof.
Some shelving systems are merely made for indoor use. If it comes with a manual, read it. If you're visiting the showroom, have a long chat with the salesperson in charge before purchasing it. Many salespersons and designers are willing to share their personal takes on how to create the right ambiance for your store.
The less you move it around, the longer it will last. Most shelving systems come with good finishing touches so that all you need is a gentle detergent, a washcloth, and a quick wipe every now and then.
If the manufacturer's manual tells you to keep it in cool, dry storage spaces, heed the advice. How many times you clean it, however, is a personal decision. If the shelves are exposed to the elements, clean them every day. If they're located in an indoor shopping mall and in an air-conditioned environment, wiping it once every couple of days is often good enough.
Designing your Own Retail Outlet, Digging in your Heels
You don't really need to hire an interior designer to come up with the design of the store but go ahead if you have the budget for it. At the end of the day, we want to help you make sure the shelving system installed makes full use of the space you have to work with.
With the internet these days, you'll find tons of ideas and may even set you off to become your own interior designer!
The idea is to start with a blank slate. This way, you get an overall picture of the space you’re working with and decide an overarching theme.
After that, get to the larger stuff like furniture, shelves, display units, counters, storage space, kitchen, bathrooms, living space, rest areas, etc. As the picture gets clearer, you’ll get to move on to other things like books, vases, flowers, decorative items, plants, picture frames, poster stands, mirrors, lighting, candles, coasters, lanterns, orbs and many other things you can slowly add to the retail outlet design.
QUOTE: "When you’re shopping for frames, look more at the size and style of the frame than the color because the color is something that you can easily change" - DrivenbyDecor.com
Just remember that when you’re designing a minimalist or eco-friendly retail outlet, it doesn’t have to be expensive. Instead, the most expensive investment of it all should be effort and time.
As long as the store has a welcoming and comfortable ambiance as well as enough speed bumps, or what we call ‘merchandise outposts’, along the way, you're on the right route. Customers tend to pause and think a little more when they see something that wanders into the radar screen that encourages them to buy a little bit more....and yes, most of the time, on impulse.
Conclusion
So, before you go, here’s a recap. We hope we’ve been able to shed a better light on how to design your minimalist retail outlet better.
- Neutral colors and keep things simple
- Pay attention to the decompression zones
- Position the checkout counter strategically
- Determine the traffic flow within your store
- Use gondolas and wall-mounted shelving systems intelligently
- Make the right first impression
- Start with a list of things you DON'T want in your retail outlet
- Start with an empty slate
- Use the internet and social media to come up with an idea
- Ask for feedback
- Utilize the walls
- Set the stage for your promotional products and highlights of your store
- Make sure you're using quality furniture
- Ask the salesperson relevant and useful questions
- The most expensive investment for your store is time and effort
Find out more about what Formedge.com.my and Decowall.com.my has to offer if you’re decorating, redecorating, revamping, or renovating your retail outlet. With our decades of experience in the industry, we’ll help you find the perfect solution for your retail interior design needs in no time. Give us a call at +603-61566222, email us at enquiry@formedge.com.my, or drop by our showroom in Kota Damansara to speak to our personnel. For ideas, check out our Slatwall projects or Freewall projects. If you’re on social media, you can follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. We hope to connect with you and share some of our future projects with you!