Month: January 2022

Creating a Retail Experience Your Customers Will Love – and Why it Matters

Space Plus Blog

Designer Network NYLA Interior Room Dividers

We love helping brands with ample opportunity to redesign and upgrade the way their consumers interact with their retail spaces. Men’s Warehouse reached out to us at Space Plus, A division of The Sliding Door Company, to amplify a handful of their retail interiors. With people returning to their passions of shopping in person and getting out of the house, having an attractive retail space is a must. Men’s Warehouse, one of the top men’s suits retailers by Tailored Brands, was an exciting client to work with, as they are widely known for tailoring the finest suits across America. Because of that, we knew how crucial it was to uphold their elegant reputation. Preserving the company’s status and endorsing the high quality of their suit’s aesthetic largely related to their brand’s visual representations.

Glass Wall Partitions for Retail

Our project for Men’s Warehouse made use of sleek black aluminum frames and clear glass office wall partitions for their chic Men’s Warehouse in NY. The idea behind this custom design was to provide more of an interactive and inclusive experience for the tailor to enjoy while in the retail shop – while also being able to maintain necessary working production. The occupant can now easily look out onto the sales floor and see other associates while having a defined space to work in. This not only offers a much more attractive alternative to boxed-in walls or a cubicle sort of feel, but it also creates a working environment that is a pleasure to exist in, increasing efficiency and allowing for natural light to enter the working space.

Free-flowing and open retail spaces are dominating the market because consumers like to feel included. We want visibility and when we have the ability to visually connect with everyone in our space we feel more connected, uplifted, safer and overall – happier.

Additional Partition Features for Retail

This was one of a few projects done for Men’s Warehouse locations. The others included fitting room enclosures with fully opaque glass. The artistic flourish of clear, frosted or fully opaque glass does wonders for any retail space. With a touch of sophistication and an undeniably modern feel, these Glass Wall Partitions and glass doors instantly update and transform a space – elevating it toward contemporary luxe.

When a retail space is thoughtfully considered and luxurious, it lends an enhanced and viscerally appealing shopping experience for the customer. They need to feel that their time and financial investment is well worth it. Especially when selling luxury goods, designer clothing, footwear, you name it – the store’s aesthetic must match the status of what goods are being sold.

Retail Customer Experience

The interior layout, furnishings, and overall design will make or break a sale. Customers want to feel that they are entering into and enjoying an opulent experience. A recent survey conducted found that 32 percent of customers say that they would stop doing business with a brand they loved after a single bad experience. That bad experience could most definitely come from visiting a retail store and being turned off by an unsavory environment. Feeling overwhelmed by the lack of organization within the store, too many clothes being fit into too small space, no place to sit, etc. will all leave a negative effect on the client. Ample floor space, neatly organized racks and tables, helpful but not pushy sales associates will all garner major points from your clients and result in sales and long-standing customer relationships and brand loyalty for years to come.

We at Space Plus have a genuine care for each and every client and their project-specific needs. We ensure that our clients are delighted with the final outcome of a project and feel proud when that is accomplished. We provide spatial solutions to upgrade any environment, regardless of size or industry. We are here and happy to address your spatial needs to enhance your interiors, and improve your business. Visit Space Plus, A Division of the Sliding Door Company, for ideas and inspiration on how to transform your retail atmosphere. Get a free quote from one of our professionals to get started today!

A Step-by-Step Guide to Apartment Renovation

Space Plus Blog

Apartment renovation isn’t something you can just jump into and expect instant results. It is an intricate process that requires preparation, permissions, and financing. You have to know who approves of the work and how much you can put into the project.

Without a plan, your renovation project can turn into a disaster, both in terms of the function of the finished apartment and how it looks. Do you know why you are renovating? Figure this out first to determine what kinds of benefits you may see later.

Funding is another factor. Do you have the funds allotted to cover the cost of the project and potential issues along the way, as well as a lender who is willing to work with you?

Once all the pieces are in place, think about your inspiration and whether it is practical. Choose your contractors wisely and follow through with the renovation as you best see fit. How will you gauge your progress and determine whether the final result meets your expectations? There are so many things to consider, so never put off having professional guidance. Feel free to use our guide here as a launching point for organizing and executing a successful apartment renovation.

Commercial Space Interior Design Trends Enrich Every Work Area

Space Plus Blog

COVID-19 has changed the commercial real estate landscape

As we reset our work-life balance, the workplace must also evolve

Home offices, smart amenities, technology, and safety are now all need-to-haves, not on the wish list. Adaptation is key, as many new leases are short-term or sublease in order to keep physical space flexible.

Who is changing how they use their workspace?

Architects
Engineers
Designers
School Study Rooms
Insurance
Medical Collaboration
Any commercial office
Training
Libraries
Banks
So many more!

Multi-purpose workspaces are still on trend

Even the government has office space and conference rooms that previously were gray, dreary & uninspiring.

Room dividers, sliding glass doors, glass office fronts, suspended barn doors, conference rooms and lockable offices all play a part in multi-purposing commercial spaces to optimize them.

As those returning to work are letting upper management know, disinfection and visibly clean space instills confidence. Glass partitions are a great way to divide and keep spaces open yet separate.

Workplaces have changed dramatically in the last 50 years

Many of the changes ahead of us impact workplace design and functionality. What used to be characterized by productivity and efficiency was changed when personal computers came about.

Then the internet brought information to us real-time and our workplaces were re-shaped again and continued to evolve to drive more innovation.

While productivity is still VITAL, leveraging knowledge and promoting innovation is on the top of the goal list along with collaboration and cross-functional teamwork. Any lost productivity while being at home can be regained as we return to work. Employees are eager to reconnect.

In order to foster innovation, workspaces, conference rooms and consultation areas must provide natural light, places to meet, PLUS more quiet places to think and focus.

Interior glass door solutions including room dividers, swing doors, fixed glass walls and pass-through windows all contribute to the kind of workplace that is ripe for innovation and creativity. Innovation is seen as critical to maintaining a competitive edge.

Sliding glass doors that can stack or lock for privacy provide significant functionality and offer a clutter-free, organized yet relaxed setting.

Conference room dividers that double as dry erase boards

In line with collaboration and innovation, our interior glass door solutions can be designed with different sections of glass. Milky glass for example can be used as a dry erase board in a training room! Focused work requires a lot of attention to detail and concentration. And this is especially helpful in schools and universities. What could be more perfect than a private, calm area to set your mind free to think and create?

Having a room divider that can slide closed and offer privacy when needed is a productive way to utilize your office space.

The combination of an open floor plan to innovate with others and the private areas required to focus is the key to success!

Stacking room dividers open the space for collaboration in seconds while offices fronts close off more private areas for focus and concentration. Check out more options today at spaceplus.com, or get started with a free consultation by calling us at 1-866-536-2113.

Tips for Building a Coworking Office to Attract Top Millennial Talent

Space Plus Blog

The traditional office structure has been shaken up recently in big ways. The tech-savvy generation by and large is rejecting rigid workplace hierarchies and wants to work with a company, not for it. They appreciate autonomy at work, collaboration, and the free exchange of information and ideas. As some offices return to work and make changes, coworking spaces are becoming very attractive to many millennials.

And since millennials will make up 75% of the workforce by 2030, it only makes sense to create attractive workspaces for this soon-to-dominate group.

Coworking Spaces Continue to Grow in Popularity

Open office layouts have been popular for decades—these millennial-friendly spaces encourage spontaneous run-ins and collaboration. Coworking spaces are similar but are designed to allow employees from multiple businesses to work side-by-side. Many coworking spaces are like gyms in that members pay a monthly membership fee for regular access to the building or unit, as well as its amenities.

Coworking spaces are gaining popularity, and for a good reason. A study by Gensler found that access to coworking is associated with better employee experience and greater effectiveness at work. For those tired of working from home in less than ideal conditions, the coworking space is a welcome change.

Employers like the lower overhead costs and fewer responsibilities of renting a workspace. Workers enjoy the energy of these spaces and the networking opportunities and crossover of ideas shared spaces provide. Coworking spaces have mostly attracted tech startups and entrepreneurs, but they hold promise for other industries as well.

Tips for Creating a Coworking Space That Attracts Millennials

Coworking spaces are popping up all over the country, but if you’re not near a major city, finding a shared space can be a challenge. In this case, you might consider starting your own. Here are some tips for creating an attractive coworking space.

1. Make sure there’s demand

The idea of coworking spaces is still new for many people. If you have an established company, make sure there’s buy-in from your employees. If you’re a startup, you might need to host a few events to generate interest and excitement.

2. Choose your location wisely

You want your space to be conveniently located in a safe area with parking. The beauty of coworking spaces is they work well in all kinds of buildings, from underutilized offices to vacant buildings to old banks and factories. If you’re outside a city center, you might be able to find a landlord or property manager willing to offer you an inexpensive lease or month-to-month arrangement. This will allow you to test out the concept and see if it works for your business.

3. Strategically plan your layout and furnishings

Studies find that employees who had access to a variety of different types of spaces and who had a choice in where to work reported having better workplace experiences.

Workers need spaces to focus, collaborate, learn and socialize. Use this as a guide to map out the layout and design of your coworking habitat. Here are some popular features in shared working spaces:

Communal seating
Private individual offices
Conference rooms
Modular interior walls
Mobile and stackable furniture (e.g., mobile pods and tables on wheels)
Greenery-covered walls and other natural features
Tech-enabled spaces
Phone booths and nursing rooms
Beverage bars and comfortable lounges

If the space is small, an open floor plan can help you maximize space. If you have plenty of room to spread out, experiment with different modular layouts.

To keep the space flexible, choose movable glass walls and partitions, which you can reconfigure as your needs change. Keep in mind that everyone has different temperaments for noise and distractions—office dividers can help you create customizable private areas where employees can retreat for quiet time.

4. Invest in connectivity

It’s not enough to have high-speed Internet these days. To create an in-demand coworking space, create an environment designed for connectivity. Consider adding docking stations, interactive whiteboards, digital wayfinding technology (to help workers find open desk spaces), multimedia displays, virtual or augmented reality tools, and even personalized temperature and lighting controls.

Space Plus: Helping You Build an In-Demand Coworking Space

The modern workplace needs state-of-the-art solutions, and Space Plus, a division of The Sliding Door Company, provides them.

Our office divider walls and sliding doors can help you create dynamic coworking spaces for every need—from conference rooms to sanctuary spaces to “huddle rooms.” Our partitions are sleek and modern, constructed of the highest quality tempered or laminated glass. Our talented team will help you choose from a variety of designs, glass types and frame finishes to suit your space’s aesthetic, as well as the right locks and handles for secure office rentals.

View our gallery for inspiration and learn more about our glass partitions and sliding glass door solutions for coworking office environments. Ready to get started on building your own coworking space? Request a quote today.