Commercial interior design involves designing interior spaces for business purposes, including offices, retail stores, restaurants, and public areas. It focuses on optimizing functionality, their work or activity flow, customer journey and enhancing the aesthetics of the brand and business space.
In today's article, we'll explore the 5 types of commercial interior design in Malaysia. We'll discuss each type's distinct characteristic in terms of function and brief and how they cater to different business needs
Generally commercial interior design focuses more on the client's branding and purpose, their mission and vision, specialized requirements on space planning, function. Uniqueness is still crucial to create USP (unique selling point). designing for commercial spaces have more safety regulations and strict authority requirements to adhere to such as building codes, fire hazard safety, public safety and local building bylaws. For larger scale public spaces or retail spaces the ambience also needs to be grand, immersive and relates to customers' experience which in our opinion is the key in design,
Commercial Interior Design #1 - Retail
Retail interior design is centered on creating and enhancing spaces for stores or any sales activities. This encompasses designing for small shops, stores, and shopping malls.
The aim of retail design is to attract customers and offer them an enjoyable shopping experience. This involves innovative space planning and employing distinct interior design techniques to effectively display products or merchandise, such as lighting, display shelves, ceiling and wall designs, and furniture arrangement.
Even if a store has limited space, effective interior design can make it seem larger and more inviting. This is crucial for new businesses as it helps attract customers and improves their shopping experience. When establishing a new company, consider these elements to ensure your store is both appealing and functional.
The layout is designed to allow customers to move around efficiently and find products easily, with every detail, from the store theme to Instagrammable corners, being considered important. Storefront design is vital to attract customers from afar or capture attention.



Commercial Interior Design #2 - Workplace/Office
Office interior design aims to create workspaces that enhance productivity while ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of employees. In today's world, I believe workplace design is about crafting spaces where people enjoy working, boosting their creativity and performance, and achieving a balanced lifestyle. Sustainability is not just a buzzword; it's essential to incorporate it. ESG (environmental, social governance) is a core principle in our office design approach.
A well-designed office can make everyone feel more positive and work more efficiently. Good design helps improve moods, increases productivity, and enhances the overall environment.


An effective office design should feature open spaces to facilitate teamwork and clear communication, while private work areas remain important for high-focus teams. Choosing bright, cheerful colors can also uplift the mood. Involving all stakeholders and departments is crucial to initiate a successful office design, ensuring that work activities, workflow, filing and storage needs, space usage, and programs are addressed. Balancing creative and interactive spaces with high-focus work areas is vital, while lifestyle elements like wellness rooms, music or games rooms, cafeterias, break areas, and green plant zones are what modern offices should incorporate. We particularly enjoy integrating plants to maximize oxygen flow in our office design.

Commercial Interior Design #3 - Hospitality
Hospitality design involves creating hotels, boutique hotels, and their amenities. It must be adaptable to meet the diverse needs of various guests and to offer a unique customer experience from the moment guests enter. Impressive lobbies, whether featuring stylish modern elements or classic timeless designs, should closely align with the hotel's branding.
In addition to space planning, the careful selection of materials, furniture, feature designs, lighting, public safety, and adherence to building and fire codes are essential in hospitality design.
As the saying goes, "God is in the details." Even the choice of down pillows and bedsheets is part of the intricate details in hotel design.

People often visit restaurants or cafes to relax with friends or family. The atmosphere in these places is vital as it helps create enjoyable and memorable experiences. Hospitality interior design plays a key role in crafting such environments that enhance these moments.


Commercial interior design in hospitality is crucial for creating spaces that are both adaptable and inviting. The goal is to ensure that each design element positively impacts the guest's experience, making their visit memorable and satisfying.
Commercial Interior Design #4 - Healthcare
We frequently visit healthcare facilities for illness or routine check-ups. The essential aspect of designing these spaces is to effectively blend functionality with comfort.
Creating the interiors of healthcare facilities requires making complex decisions. Every design element must be meticulously planned to ensure the environment is both aesthetically pleasing and functional. Interior designers in this sector must address several critical factors, including infection prevention, sound management, comfortable temperatures, adequate lighting, clear navigation, and easy access.
Moreover, they must keep up with the latest research to incorporate features that aid healing and enhance well-being.
Commercial Interior Design #5 - Education
Institutional interior design prioritizes functionality and durability, adhering strictly to local laws and regulations. This design approach is vital for environments like schools, where creating a positive atmosphere is essential for learning and healing. It aims to enhance learning, interaction, work, play, and wellness. Sustainability and the use of eco-friendly materials are also key to ensuring a safe learning environment.
When designing spaces such as classrooms, training rooms, cafeterias, hobby rooms, bathrooms, and open areas, they should be well-lit, well-ventilated, safe, and made with easy-to-maintain materials, especially in schools for children.

Incorporating modern technology further supports learning and interaction. Soft, calming wall colors can aid students in maintaining focus. Classroom layouts should facilitate easy communication between students and teachers.
Role of Interior Designers in Commercial Projects
Commercial interior designers are essential in transforming a business's design concepts into reality. They handle everything within business spaces, from layout to intricate details, from administrating the contract, managing contractors, budgetary and timeline to advising the client and stake holders. Their role also involves selecting materials and furnishings that align with the business's desired expression.
An effective commercial interior designer ensures everything is visually appealing and distinctive. This aids a brand in showcasing its uniqueness and attracting new customers.
At MIL Design & Construction in Malaysia, we excel in crafting exceptional commercial spaces. We've assisted numerous brands in developing interiors that mirror their identity and attract their clientele.
FAQ
Can good interior design make a small retail space appear larger?
Good interior design can strategically arrange the store layout and use visual merchandising techniques to make a small retail space appear larger and more welcoming.
How can interior design optimize small retail spaces?
Through strategic layout planning and visual merchandising, interior design can make small retail spaces appear larger and more inviting.
How does office interior design contribute to employee productivity?
Office interior design can boost productivity by creating a positive work environment that includes open spaces for teamwork and clear communication.
Comments