Last Updated on March 11, 2025 by Tanya Janse van Rensburg
It's not unusual for a business to ignore the impact of decor, layout, and design when building their storefront.
Commercial design is an important factor in business success; even if you're an e-commerce brand, what your business website looks like shows your dedication, cohesiveness, and style.
Commercial interior and exterior design sends more messages than one may think.
If you're not sure how to decorate your online or physical storefront, you should start with the basic principles of attractive design.
Whether you're solely online or have a physical location, your storefront is the first impression for so many customers.
You need far more than just a sign with your name and a list of your services.
For online storefronts, use engaging but readable fonts, colors, and text sizes.
Include stylish images and use intelligent and attractive website design to help visitors enjoy and interact with your business.
Employ colors consistent with your brand messages and imagery. Work with a web designer, graphic designer, and marketer for a cohesive and engaging design.
You will use similar principles with a physical storefront. Attract visitors with decor, tasteful landscaping, and professional lighting.
Varying building textures and accent colors can make any building look sleek and stylish. You'll also want the parking lot to be sizable and accessible.
If you have major potholes or pavement cracks, consider hiring an asphalt paving contractor to maintain a fresh and convenient first impression.
Bold colors in your store or website may be exciting and engaging, but you don't want to clash with your brand or marketing journey.
Choose an attractive palette and representative of your business. Use that color palette to design and decorate your physical and digital presence.
For bolder colors, consider subtle, vibrant accents. Neutrals (gray, white, and black) are safe, but don't make much of an impact on their own.
Bright, warm colors like red or yellow usually signify urgency or excitement. Cooler colors like green or blue usually imply peace or relaxation.
You can use this color psychology to your advantage.
You may want to show off all of your products and collections, but you don't want to overwhelm your customers. Don't overcrowd walkways, shelves, or displays.
You can show off your skills and products, but limit yourself to a few examples per shelf. It shouldn't be difficult to navigate through your store or webpages.
Keep spaces clean and comprehensive. You can be exciting without overwhelming audiences.
Lighting plays a major role in a physical storefront’s style. A dimly or warmly lit environment creates a sense of serenity or intimacy.
You can use spotlights to draw the attention to certain decor or products. Bright, bold lighting can be thrilling and tasteful, too.
Different lighting styles can show off different themes, but don't go overboard; you want a cleaner look instead of a busy one.
You can even mimic lighting on a website using colors and hover animations, too!
Technology in your store shows that you're updated and modern. You can use interactive displays to show off your website, products, or social media.
Tech features like self-checkout or tap-to-pay can look minimalist and add convenience for your customers. Motion-activated doors and lights can look stylish and impressive, too.
Smart technology allows you to operate more efficiently and securely while looking sleek as a bonus. Seamless website animations and mobile optimization can be stylish online.
Sustainability is trending with audiences for a good reason.
The impact of corporate pollution and climate change is undeniable, so modern customers are becoming more conscious of their brand choices and spending.
Environmentally-friendly brands are more sought out and desirable, and you can incorporate eco-consciousness into your design and products.
Use natural materials like wood, metal, and natural fibers in your furniture, shelving, and packaging.
Using natural light from windows instead of artificial lights during the daytime can go a long way.
Indoor landscaping, including innovative concepts like living walls, can make bold and attractive statements.
Incorporate nature photography or eco-friendly marketing copy in your website, too.
All sidewalks, queues, and paths should never be obstructed.
Not only does this create a clean and organized look to your store, but it's also more accessible to all types of customers.
The checkout line should always be easy to find and access!
Don't make it difficult online, either; digital carts should always be easy to access and complete.
You need far more than a business name and products to create a memorable and attractive brand.
Both physical and online storefronts need decor, style, and organization to resonate with audiences timelessly.
Use environmental consciousness and tech-savviness to create a sleek and modern business space.
Use color psychology and brand palettes to draw in the eye with paint and accent furniture.
Make sure paths and parking lots are not just clean and functional but accessible, too.
Work with professional decorators and designers to come up with a website or storefront that looks great and meshes well with your business goals.
