BIM News

Commercial interior designers often have a difficult task in trying to reach solutions that are cost-effective and functional, and yet unique and inviting. What is more, as expectations and trends are constantly changing, interiors must have the flexibility to match the current taste of the employees and clients. On top of it, interior designers who specialize in commercial spaces needn’t only understand the current trends, but also the future trends, as well as those which never get old, and incorporate them all in their designs. Whether you’re looking to throw in a few design changes to uplift your company’s morale, or want to do a complete office overhaul, take a look at these modern, yet persisting trends.

Industrial elements

Thanks to its raw, urban, and edgy qualities, industrial workplace design seems to be holding a firm ground. Industrial elements such as hanging pendant lights, exposed ceilings, beams and brick walls won’t appeal to every company, but some of them can be integrated with more conventional interior designs with a great success. For example, due to their practicality, pendant lights have found a place in many design schemes, while some designs incorporate brick-style wallpapers, as a modest homage to high-productivity industrial environments of the past times.

BIM for interior design

Apart from being an immensely useful tool for architectural teams, a BIM software has a great potential in interior design, as well. Although for an experienced interior designer, a sketch might be enough to visualise the space arrangement, clients may not be able to tell what’s what by looking at 2D drawings alone. Aside of improving communication with clients, BIM also allows collaboration between different teams involved in the project. Finally, having certain elements saved in design library allows designers to work faster, modifying the dimensions as they move from one project to the next.

Dual purpose designs

Breaking through harsh startup years and prolonged budget tightening often prompt businesses to find new ways to save money, and one of them is by adjusting the interior design. The widespread use of multipurpose designs offers a huge number of possibilities, for example having filing cabinets with slide-out seats that come handy for informal powwows. Lounge chairs for office environments are often equipped with tablet arms, allowing employees to remain productive even as they take a break off their desks.

Branding interiors

As an immersive process that makes a company stand out against the competition, branding includes pretty much everything from the media campaigns and office culture, to the corporate HQ address. However, when it comes to branding, commercial interior design is often given little thought, yet it has a vast potential to reinforce your company’s public image. By applying the branding design strategies through using the right architecture, colour scheme, and floorplans, you can transform your office into an environment that lives and breathes with your brand.

Lack of permanent workspaces

First implemented in the Silicon Valley, the concept of open office has spread throughout the commercial segment around the world. While it took time for companies to adopt this style, today even the businesses which consider themselves conservative and traditional employ elements of an open space plan, such as non-assigned seating arrangements, and creative hubs like community work tables. A contingency of the open workspace theme, community work tables increase collaboration, keeping the employees connected throughout the projects.  

Spa-like restrooms

Although a hallmark of many home designs in the past few years, the trend of creating spa-like bathrooms has spilled over into a commercial interior setting. Emphasising serenity and meditation, interiors designers have reinvented the restroom facilities with lush materials, bright whites, unexpected details and authentic accessories. With their new spa-like atmosphere, commercial restrooms have become an inseparable element of the interior. Whether the designer has opted for unique styles that add their personal touch to the restrooms, or chosen simple, but sophisticated designs, the result is always directed to inspiring relaxation.

Residential themes

With high-productivity employees spending more time in the office than at their homes, the workplace definitely feels like a second home to those people. This is why the residential design is one of the most popular design trends today. Ranging from comfy “eye-resting” pods to elaborate kitchen islands, elements of home look not only increased the productivity, but also contribute to the overall uniqueness of the space.

Biophilic interiors

By introducing natural elements into the workspace, biophilic designs support the original human need to be connected with nature. Since today people spend much more time working and living indoors, many companies in large metropolitan areas which don’t have a direct access to the outdoors have embraced natural elements, such as living walls, water features, rooftop gardens, and designs which allow for plenty of natural light.  

By adopting some of these design trends, you can transform your commercial interior beyond recognition. These emerging designs for commercial interiors not only help your brand grow strong, but also improves your staff satisfaction levels, which in return boosts their productivity.