THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DECORATING AND DESIGNING A COMMERCIAL SPACE

I feel like this is something that gets confused quite often with interior design, especially in commercial settings. There is a clear distinction between decorating and designing.

Decorating = making it look good.

Design = making it work.

And making a commercial space work involves a lot more than what you see on the surface.

🔄FLOW

Flow is one of those things a designer does without even really thinking about it. It’s something that gets drilled into you at the beginning of your career, until eventually it becomes second nature. But it’s incredibly important. Flow is the way people, products and information move through a space. So when designing a commercial environment, we’re thinking about:

→ How easily people can move through the space
→ Accessibility and inclusion
→ Fire safety and compliance
→ Zoning and functionality
→ How different areas interact

📋COMPLIANCE

Making sure the design meets the relevant requirements and regulations. And, sometimes, this can mean that a grand design idea must be reconsidered. That dramatic staircase might not work with the required escape routes. That open-plan layout might create issues with fire safety or occupancy. But ultimately, it’s non-negotiable.

🛡️SAFETY & LONGEVITY

A commercial space needs to stand up to a lot more than looking good on opening day. It needs to work day after day, year after year, often with a much higher level of footfall and use than a domestic environment. That means considering how the space will be used and specifying materials, finishes and furniture that are appropriate, durable and fit for purpose.

🪑 Is the furniture suitable for the level of use?

👣 Can the flooring withstand the expected footfall?

🧱 Will the finishes cope with the environment they’re being used in?

🧼 Can surfaces be easily maintained and cleaned?

💡 And will the design still work when the novelty of the new fit-out has worn off?

✨BRAND IDENTITY

Creating an environment that reflects the personality and values of the business, rather than simply following a trend.

👥USER BEHAVIOUR

Understanding who is using the space, what they need from it and how they are likely to interact with it.

🪑SPECIFICATION

Commercial specification is very different from domestic specification.

Furniture, for example, needs to be considered for ergonomics, durability, frequency of use and, where required, fire-retardant performance. Sometimes a standard product works perfectly. Sometimes a bespoke solution is needed to make the space work properly.

And this is where I think the difference really lies. A commercial designer isn't simply choosing what looks good. We’re considering why it’s there, who it’s for, how it will be used, how it needs to perform and how everything works together.

The finished space might look effortless. But good design rarely is.

Decorating makes a space look good.
Design makes a space work.

And the best commercial spaces do both.