Are you looking for tips and ideas on how to decorate a boutique? If YES, here are 10 tips and ideas on how to decorate a boutique. A boutique is defined as a small fashionable supermarket. Note that these businesses attract customers who are searching for very specific styles and kinds of clothing.
Since a good percentage of customers stick to their styles, satisfied customers in this industry tend to return to a place they feel comfortable and fulfilled. Owing to that, it is very necessary to create relationships with these regular customers, as their recommendations and satisfaction can contribute to your boutique’s success.
As the owner of a boutique, note that your day-to-day activities will involve interacting with customers. This starts with greeting them, initiating small talk, replying to their questions, and technically guiding them to clothing and styles that suit them personally. Other activities include managing stock, displaying everything attractively, storing and receiving clothing deliveries, and making sure everything displayed has a price tag.
To succeed in this line of business, some of the skills you need include being organized and self-motivated. You are expected to be comfortable conversing with strangers. Note that the job revolves around sales and marketing, most of which you’ll be doing yourself, therefore, skill and experience in those areas are vital.
A good number of boutique owners start their business as a labor of love, with a passion for specialty clothing that customers can’t get at massive, big-box stores. Although a good percentage of boutique shopping’s future is likely online, most customers still love and crave traditional shopping. Even in years to come, you just can’t replace seeing, smelling, and trying on the merchandise before buying.
Tips and ideas on How to Decorate a Boutique
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Consider the Floor Plan First
Have it in mind that your floor plan is one of the most essential considerations when decorating your boutique. Your interior design company will recommend the best possibilities, depending on the size and the layout of the available space. Three common possibilities are used in retail but not all will look good in a boutique.
- The grid floor plan, for instance, is quite unsuitable. It more or less features numerous shelves and sections for the sole aim of stocking goods like books, cosmetics, or groceries. Such a layout is best for larger spaces and supermarkets.
- Loop and free flow floor plans, according to experts, are a much better idea for a Boutique. Note that the loop floor plan leads the shopper along a certain way. Racks and sections may be leveraged to hold the attention of the visitor. Loop floor plans are a perfect choice for small spaces.
- A free flow floor plan more or less features a few scattered racks or shelves. It also entails that there is a lot of space, giving room for the products to shine. Free flow floor plans are used most often in upscale boutiques and high fashion retail venues.
If you have a few handmade items and costly accessories you intend to display in your boutique, you should ideally go with the free flow floor plan. For less expensive clothes and boutiques that come with a bigger selection of items, the loop design will be a much better idea.
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Choose a Good Colour Scheme
Endeavor to pick a color scheme that aligns with your boutique image. Select complementary insignia that either matches the chic of the merchandise or contrasts with it. If your boutique offers a wide range of styles, then do not bother to add many insignia in various areas.
For instance, in a corner that samples everything 1970s, consider bold patterns of yellows, browns, and oranges. For an area sampling 1980s supply, consider neon greens and pinks. For contemporary merchandise, you should stay neutral with your background. White with black adorns or earth tone gives room for the designers to speak for themselves.
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Avoid Displaying Too Much Product
Clutter, or sampling too much product is, without doubt, the greatest enemy of boutique decoration. This interferes with shoppers’ ability to visually and physically move through your space and locate the things they want.
Owing to that, it is imperative to understand the right amount of product for your space and boutique. For instance, higher-end boutiques should sample fewer products and leave more unused floor space, as this will heighten the value that customers place on the merchandise, and they will be eager to spend more.
Boutiques in the lower spectrum should leverage every inch of space they have, as this will reinforce the notion that shoppers are getting a deal and will help sell more products.
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Display and Furniture
Note that to create a cozier, luxurious feeling in your boutique store; endeavor to show your products in very unique ways. For instance, you can fold sweaters and pile them on a mahogany desk instead of a metal desk. You can hang robes in an antique armoire; mount a small dresser in the corner and leave the top drawer wide open to show your products such as accessories or jewelry.
In addition, a baker’s rack is a very realistic way to show everything from food to clothing to spa gifts. You may invite your customers to stay or linger by positioning comfortable chairs around the space. Also note that an antique chaise lounge, bench with cushions, and other unique chairs will dress up your boutique much more than boring metal chairs will.
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Reinforce Your Brand With Theme
Always remember to decorate your boutique to buttress a theme that aligns with your brand image so that your design reinforces your brand. This is one of the primary reasons why it is necessary to thoroughly know your brand or the emotions and ideas attached to your business.
Note that a disconnect between design and brand will confuse customers, and also influence their trust and spending. Have it in mind that when your brand and store design align, you can boost your customers’ ability to connect to your brand and business. This alignment will help grow your sales and improve customer experience and perception.
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Make Very Good Use of Lighting
Have it in mind that the degree of lighting in your boutique will vary depending on the mood you intend to create. For contemporary items, you will require enough rays of light. For vintage, lukewarm lighting is very perfect.
However, ensure to avoid fluorescent or green- or yellow-toned lighting, especially if customers will be looking in the mirror. Note that these are not flattering light sources. You can choose to add extra tiny white illumination to shelving, borders, and even several draped around plants or tables.
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Grab Shoppers’ Attention With Digital Signage
Digital signs use LCD, LED, and projection to show digital images, video, streaming media, and information. Since digital signage is still a new merchandising technique, it is a wonderful tool to draw in customers. Also consider using interactive elements with digital signage, such as motion activation or touch-screen monitors.
Mount your digital signage out front of your store or in your window displays to attract people or you can place it toward the back of your store to entice people to flow throughout your entire space.
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Fitting Room Design is Also Necessary
Agreeably, every upscale clothing boutique should feature a unique, spacious and functional fitting room. Fitting rooms are expected to have adequate lighting. When trying new clothes on, people would want to see every little detail. Also, note that the warmth and the color of the light are as crucial as the brightness. However, if you want an innovative solution, then consider leveraging motion detectors that will adjust the lights in the fitting room as soon as somebody enters.
In addition, fitting rooms are expected to create a feeling of privacy. Although curtains are mostly utilized, they may not be the best option when it comes to closing the changing space. Panels and doors are quite better and should be considered. Note that when privacy is encouraged, people will feel comfortable spending more time in the fitting room.
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Maintaining Flow and Customer Interest
Note that the primary purpose of boutique decoration is to maintain the interest of the boutique visitor. When people spend enough time in the boutique, they will ideally find something that they like. To maintain a good flow and customer interest, you have to follow a few interior design principles.
According to experts, upon entering a boutique, a greater percentage of people will turn unconsciously to the right. You should consider placing some of your most exquisite and distinctive items, as well as your best-sellers here. After people have made the turn to the right in your boutique, you will need to choose interior design solutions that will keep them exploring the rest of the store.
Wide walkways and minimalist storage solutions are designs to consider. They help with visibility and also make it possible for the visitor to see a dress or a beautiful handbag mounted across the room. Also, know that well-arranged displays along the back wall are a must. These should be noticeable from the entrance.
Your mannequins and decorations should be arranged strategically to display both clothes and accessories. Have it in mind that such displays visualize an entire outfit, which can grow the desire of the potential buyer to purchase the individual items.
Also, note that customer interest can be maintained by placing smaller displays throughout the boutique. Remember to give such merchandise some space, because if the display is crowded, the visitor may become overwhelmed and choose to exit the venue.
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Consider the Practical Appeal of the Boutique Checkout Area
According to experts, counter placement is often faulty in modern boutiques and clothing stores. Note that mounting the checkout counter on the right, for instance, is a grave mistake. Also, a checkout counter that’s in the middle can distract visitors from the shopping experience. Therefore, the ideal place for the checkout counter is on the left and to have it explicitly designated as the ending point of the shopping experience.
Additionally, since shopping baskets are barely used in clothing boutiques, the counter should be large enough for buyers to keep all their items on. A compact POS system is a wonderful choice to enable you to maximize space at the checkout area.