Limited floor plans can be frustrating, especially for property owners and designers with a vision for the space that they cannot achieve. Not everyone can fully remodel their rooms, push out walls, and add square footage to their existing space. Most commercial millwork designers, contractors, and owners need strategies to make the most of every square foot of space. When used strategically, custom millwork, ranging from banquette seats to reception desks, can expand limited spaces and bring the vision to life.
This guide goes into detail on the commercial millwork design that can squeeze every inch out of a space, from commercial retail lobbies and restaurant dining rooms to residential living rooms. Custom, collaborative, and above all, solution-oriented custom millwork layouts can bring out the best in your space if you know how to apply them.
1. Turning Reception Desks Into Focal Points
Custom millwork can turn reception desks into the focal points of reception areas, and they can do more for visitors than simply look beautiful. Hidden in custom desks, skilled millwork artisans can add storage compartments, hidden POS systems and supplies, and branded imagery, such as inlays in the company typeface. Even the material, grain, and finish of the wood can be changed to convey the designer’s intentions for the mood of their space.
Best Use Case: While many spaces can use a reception desk, retail business lobbies need one as a touchpoint for essential customer interactions. A reception desk with a clear function can prevent customers from wandering, declutter the space with hidden storage, and add depth and purpose to the entire reception area.
2. Wielding Banquette-style Seating to Save Floor Space
Banquette seating is a useful space-saver in restaurant and retail businesses, and it’s versatile enough to serve multiple functions. On the one hand, banquette seats can replace chairs and be built with hidden storage to declutter the space. Staff can retrieve linens, supplies, and more from these seats without needing dedicated cabinets.
On the other hand, banquette seating can save even more space in a bench-style, even being built into the walls of restaurants, retail reception areas, or the breakfast nooks of homes. By replacing chairs and turning wall space into seating, banquette seating can conserve floor space in practically any seating area.
Best Use Case: Modular banquettes can be rearranged based on the room’s needs at different times, adding an element of strategy to day-to-day operations that only custom millwork can provide. Restaurants can use this flexibility to accommodate varying levels of foot traffic, with seating arrangements that match.
3. Expanding Workspaces with Custom Details
Workspaces, whether for corporate employees or remote workers at home, can be too small to accommodate all the supplies and functions workers demand. However, clever custom millwork can create an illusion of extra space by adding casework details.
For example, floating shelves can provide extra storage without taking up floor space. Built-in studio furniture, technology storage, and desk space can also save valuable floor real estate.
Best Use Case: Though it may require creative maneuvering, custom millwork can significantly enhance the usability of small home offices, providing work-from-home employees with creative solutions for limited space.
4. Taking Advantage of Corners to Set the Mood
Corners often go unused in cafes, restaurant dining rooms, retail lobbies, offices, and even homes. Custom millwork can be used to make use of this space and turn it into functional seating or display areas. Some designers call this space a “microzone,” meaning it can become its own niche, perfect for collaboration, setting a particular mood, or finding quiet space within a larger communal area.
Best Use Case: Cafe owners and designers often aim to create a mood of cozy intimacy, calm, and focus. Using custom tables and banquette seats, a corner can be transformed from awkward extra space to the most romantic and mood-fitting seat in the house.
5. Displaying and Storing With Floor-to-Ceiling Constructs
One of the best ways to create more space in a room is to use floor-to-ceiling areas for display, storage, and more. Custom cabinets and overhead compartments can be built vertically to take advantage of the room’s height, which, in small kitchens and living areas, can declutter usable space and make the most of small floor plans.
Best Use Case: Kitchens and bathrooms need to be clutter-free while storing numerous tools, appliances, and amenities. Using vertically constructed cabinets for extra storage can save valuable counter and floor space.
Commercial Millwork Design Artisans Bring Spaces to Life With Creative Layouts
Creating a distinct layout can be difficult without the guidance of custom millwork artisans, since creating utilities to feel both distinct and approachable requires skill and experience. Owners and designers who have a desired look and goal for their space need craftsmanship that rises to the challenge of their vision.
At Sixth Avenue Custom, our custom millwork artisans work with owners through all phases of their redesign to make sure their intended feel is preserved from start to finish. Strategic layouts that utilize commercial millwork design, such as vertical cabinets and banquette seating, can make even small spaces feel functional and integrated.
Contact our team today to learn how we can create millwork to realize your vision for the perfect customer, client, or work-from-home experience, regardless of the square footage you have to work with.
