Commercial interior designers create public spaces that include hospitals, health clinics, schools, office spaces, retail stores, community centers, and fitness centers. Commercial interior design generally involves spaces that are much larger than residential homes. This means that the designer has to deal with more technical requirements even with the most basic designs. There are a lot of things to think about, from special lighting to films for commercial storefronts and much more.
Many designers practice both areas of professional design and complete projects for both homeowners and small businesses and even larger commercial clients. Most of the time, if you decide to specialize in home design, you will go one step further and, in addition, you will specialize in a specific aspect of residential design. A talented commercial interior designer can transform a failing business into a booming one with a few design changes. Here, we'll explore some of the major differences between the world of residential and commercial interior design.
However, when it comes to commercial design, the type of company or business for which you are designing the space will determine how you should approach the design. Commercial design can encompass a wide range of spaces, from coffee shops to hotels, leisure facilities to commercial spaces. The subspecialties of residential interior design include the interior design of kitchens, living rooms, home furniture, and bathrooms. A commercial designer must prioritize function and safety, but without sacrificing aesthetics or style.
Professionals operating in the commercial field will be hired primarily to design the interiors of commercial buildings and commercial offices. That said, there are, of course, big differences in this field, the two main ones being between residential and commercial interior design. In residential design, you'll plan and design spaces within a client's house or apartment. As a commercial designer, you can choose to specialize only in restaurant designs or only in movie theaters, bars, schools, boutiques, etc.
Another fundamental difference between residential and commercial interior design is the profit oriented nature of commercial buildings. The subspecialties of commercial interior design are related to the type of commercial building in question, such as retail, industrial, sports, corporate, institutional, hotel, among others. People who specialize in this type of interior design can expect to be hired to design the interiors of residential properties that haven't yet been built or to redesign an existing living space. When designing some commercial buildings, designers are expected to consider the functionality of the building and its representation of a trademark.