How to Design a Retail Gallery Space
The design of a retail gallery space is almost as important as the products themselves. Like any other form of design, retail space is an opportunity for expression. In this case, the expression is a multi-sensory message to the customer about your products and, ultimately, about yourself. With the right combination of artistry and practicality, you can create a space that increases sales and invites customers back for more.
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Instructions
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Determine the specific goal of your gallery design. Take into account your type of merchandise and the type of image you want to sell to your customers.
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Draw a floor plan of your gallery space. Use a ruler to divide the plan into a scaled down version of 1 foot by 1 foot squares.
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Assess what you're working with. Determine the relationship between the size of your space and the maximum amount of customer traffic you can expect. After you leave estimate how much room your customers will need to move around comfortably, draw a logical flow direction on the floor plan. Figure out where the checkout points will be and mark them on the plan. The rest of the space is free for you to create an atmosphere that can showcase your products.
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Think about how you want the customer to feel when she enters the store. This includes almost all of the senses. One of the most effective ways to create atmosphere is through lighting. Bright lights remind people of warehouses and bargain prices; dimmer lights denote luxury and comfort. Red neon lights saturate Las Vegas because red has been shown to stimulate and actually make people want to gamble more. Blue lights increase productivity and can even enhance athletic performance. Painting the walls and fixtures a particular color can change a customer's perception as well. An executive at a painting company received complaints that the temperatures in a blue-walled office were too cold. After the office was painted peach, the complaints stopped even though the thermostat hadn't moved.
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Use aromatherapy to enhance the mood of the space. Citrus scents relax shoppers. Lemon scents, however, do not because people associate lemon with cleaning products. A room in the Magic House at Disney World's Epcot Center is filled with a chocolate-chip cookie scent because visitors find it comforting. Lavender, basil, cinnamon are also soothing scents. Peppermint, thyme, and rosemary scents, on the other hand, can energize.
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A store's signage can add to its atmosphere and still be practical. Fonts and colors should reflect the mood you want to create. Be sure the information can still be clearly read, however.
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Now turn your attention to the exterior. Incorporate your company's name, product type, and desired atmosphere into what you have to work with. Even if you just have a small storefront, an attractive sign or awning can make a big difference.
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Tips & Warnings
Less is often more when it comes to retail gallery spaces. An art gallery typically has an extremely minimalistic design, but it still looks like a highbrow space.
You can also use computer software for floor space design. This would especially be more helpful for larger spaces than just designing by hand.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit earrings in case image by gary kaPLOW! from Fotolia.com
