Resimercial Design: 20 Design Elements to Include in Your Next Virtual Staging Project

“Resimercial design” is an emerging trend in commercial real estate where design elements, or staging, is inspired by residential staging.

This has become increasingly popular for two reasons: first off, renters are increasingly attracted to the modern “homey” feeling of commercial spaces that inspire comfort out of the home.

The second reason is because more renters are relying on digital assets such as virtual tours instead of in-person tours, making it easier for tools such as virtual staging to prosper where you can get more creative, and implement such techniques as resimercial design.

To help prep for your next virtual staging project, here are 20 design elements that will make your resimercial design shine.

1. Create multiple themes for your resimercial design

The thing about commercial spaces is it’s harder to pinpoint exactly what kind of design or theme renters may be attracted to—or maybe there’s more than one target market you’re trying to appeal to.

Having multiple “themes” like property management group, JLL, did for their 3D office space is an excellent way to expand your target audience and not limit your options.

Take a look below to see how JLL successfully incorporated themes for all of their potential prospects:

Modern:

Natural:

Urban:

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2. Combine residential and commercial design elements

I know, it’s in the name. But here’s a few pointers to get you started on planning your virtual staging.

What a lot of commercial properties are currently doing is leaving the “shell” of a space (basically the ceiling, floor, and walls) as a commercial looking building with concrete, brick, etc., and then adding couches, rugs, lighting, and so on that would typically be seen in a residential property.

This allows a space to be both professional, yet provides the comfort and style of a home.

3. Mix and match designs

Mismatched design elements may seem too quirky for a residential property, but for a commercial space? Iconic.

Don’t be afraid to mix prints, colors, material, etc., to create a unique space that also inspires creativity. If you need help, checking out pinterest or Instagram for some interior design inspo will definitely help get some ideas flowing for your virtual staging.

4. Incorporate a "less is more" aesthetic

On the contrary, sometimes less is more fitting for your target demographic.

By keeping things simple with neutral tones, basic styles, and coordinating themes, you can create a space that’s less distracting or cluttered.

This resimercial design still feels homey, but implies more of a professional property as opposed to possibly an overly modern or creative one.

5. Go basic with the big stuff, but unique with accent decor

If you want a good in-between of the two, this section is for you.

If you want to get creative, but not so much so that it could potentially be off-putting, try keeping big stuff, such as seating, desks, etc., to a basic design, and then add unique accent decor to provide that home-like feel.

This could be lamps, rugs, wall art, mirrors, and more, just to really keep an in-between of residential and commercial.

6. Stick to a color scheme

Resimercial design works by invoking familiarity, and a home-like presence.

By choosing a color scheme or palette with warm or neutral hues throughout the property, you’re creating a consistency that will resonate well with tenants.

Just be sure you’re not sticking to a single color or any harsh colors that could be seen as a bit too much or unsettling.

Here are some good examples of palettes that work with resimercial design elements:

• Neutral tones with one or two pops of color within furniture
• White, light gray, or light wood mixed with natural colors
• Darker tones with more unique lighting fixtures
• Mix and Match colors with designs and textures for a more creative space

7. Mix old and new design elements

Depending on the generation and/or general target demographic for your commercial property, design elements from different eras can help with familiarity, and even nostalgia.

A mix of the two is even better because it allows you to appeal to numerous audiences.

An excellent way to do this is by sticking to either old or new for furniture, and then the other for decor.

So, for example, desks, chairs, and technology could all be modern adaptations, or high tech, and then decor could be inspired by older interior design, which is becoming extremely popular within the bar and restaurant industry.

8. Focus on lighting

Furniture and decor can do a lot to create a comfortable space, but without the right lighting can seem harsh.

Lighting can be difficult to get down, especially when you consider which specific industry you’re working with, but virtual staging that shows a little bit more of a dim appearance in community spaces with extra lighting in work areas will be a good route to go to create a homey feeling.

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9. Add unique or modern features

Residential properties are starting to really invest in unique amenities or extras due to renters prioritizing community spaces—so, why can’t commercial properties do the same?

Incorporate advanced or cool features into your virtual staging such as an espresso machine, a golf simulator, a fitness center, and more to impress renters as well as inspire a home-like feel with just your amenities.

10. Leverage comfortable features

Probably the best way to execute resimercial design, adding comfortable features such as seating, desk arrangement, an area to relax, etc., will definitely succeed with prospects.

Especially if they want to start bringing employees back to the office after working from home for so long, this will be the key to making them comfortable in a safe work environment.

11. Don't be afraid to add informal elements

Some might say that a formal environment inspires a formal work space—but that’s not necessarily the best for every property.

Adding informal resimercial design elements to your virtual staging can be subtle, yet make a big difference in comfortability.

For example, an area dedicated to relaxation with couches and ottomans, or giant fluffy area rugs on a concrete floor can really invoke the sense of being at home while actually at work (and not in a negative way).

12. Create a darker environment

Listen, fluorescent lighting doesn’t inspire anyone to do anything, and it can also be harsh on the eyes.

In addition, nothing seems more sterile and off-putting than an office or commercial space with white or light features and no decor.

Our solution? Mix in some, not all, darker design elements to negate that typical office space feeling.

This can be done with lighting, or even the color of the walls and furniture. Just be sure you aren’t adding too much to your virtual staging so that it looks more like a late-night bar than a potential work space.

13. Create an open-concept floor plan

Now that tenants are starting to have people coming back to the office, it’s important to create a safe space for employees.

Having an open concept floor plan for your resimercial staging with desks appropriately positioned 6 feet away from each other is a great way to ensure confidence in both safety and comfortability.

14. Work with plants and flowers

Nothing inspires more comfort than nature, and so bringing a little bit of that to your resimercial design will definitely bode well with prospects.

This can be as easy as placing large plants, colorful flowers, or even a small tree within working spaces in virtual staging to bring some life and residential elements to a commercial space.

15. Don't forget the bathrooms!

Speaking of resimercial design elements in the office, LCP actually just got a makeover and surely did not skimp on bathroom design.

Everyone has had their own personal experience with a public and/or office bathroom that just screams discomfort—which is why bathrooms are extremely important to incorporate within resimercial virtual staging.

Start with lighting - focus on quality, non-harsh lighting fixtures - and incorporate advanced or modern sink areas with the correct cleaning and drying features for safety purposes.

16. Safe desks are essential

Similar to an open floor plan, safe office desks are an important component to ensuring comfort.

Try adding virtually staged desks with glass protectors around them and a standing option to incite safe, and increased movement for ultimate comfortability.

This trend has become increasingly popular within commercial office space to promote a safe work environment—virtual spec suites also generate enviable ROI due to how budget-friendly and informative they are.

17. Replace walls with glass

When considering the layout of conference rooms or closed off spaces, it might seem a bit exclusive or hidden.

By adding glass to meeting areas as opposed to concrete walls, tenants may feel more included in work conversations, even if they aren’t a part of them.

Not to mention, it adds a unique touch to spaces if other resimercial design doesn’t work out for your property.

18. Add a mural

Murals - including graffiti - are becoming pretty popular in residential properties—and there’s a good reason why.

When done well, murals of any kind can be inspiring while also creating a unique brand image. It doesn’t have to be monumental or placed everywhere, but adding some color and creativity to a space can definitely inspire comfort and creative thinking.

19. Add features that incite brainstorming (or relaxation)

Working from home had a lot of benefits, and one of them was being able to take moments to oneself that help with brainstorming or encourage movement while taking a break.

These features will be great to add to your resimercial virtual staging that renters will love:

• A stacked library
• A pingpong table
• A coffee bar
• An art gallery
• A lounge area

Consider the things that people have been doing at home that help get them through the work day without completely distracting them—these are excellent ways to relax or inspire the brain while taking a second off of work tasks.

20. Don't forget the exterior

Subject to each property, however, if you have an outside space such as a patio or terrace, you’ll definitely want to give it a resimercial makeover.

Try adding a garden like atmosphere that’s easier to manage, like a plant wall or small garden in addition to plenty of comfortable places to sit (both socially and singularly) to inspire tenants to get outside during the day.

Oh, and don’t forget outside lighting! String lights can be a nice addition to add some soft lighting for a more comfortable experience.

LCP360 is a National Digital Marketing company located in Chicago specializing in photography, virtual tours, 3D renderings, video animations, virtual staging and floor plans. LCP360 offers multifamily, senior living and many other real estate industries a creative and innovative way to showcase space. By combining the best technologies from web marketing and panoramic photography, LCP360 has developed a best-in-class virtual tour web application that lets renters virtually tour a property from any location.