When you hear the term curb appeal, you probably think about how attractive a home looks from the street. After all, a home that looks great on the outside is going to attract more prospective buyers and will usually sell for more as well.
However, curb appeal also applies to commercial spaces. Think about it:
Have you ever come up to a business or store that just looked shabby, unkempt, or otherwise unappealing from the outside? Unless you needed something that business offered right away, did you go in? Probably not! You probably looked for a competitor with a more enticing appearance.
Your exterior may very well be the first impression a customer gets of your business, so you don’t want to blow it. And it isn’t just about attracting customers. Just as a nice-looking home attracts more eyes and buyers and commands a higher price, so does a commercial site when it’s on the market.
Why Curb Appeal Matters
We’ve already covered the basics, but here are a few more reasons to create better curb appeal for a commercial space:
- Better appearance usually correlates with a better product or service.
- Strong curb appeal also sets you apart from the competition.
- Employee morale is higher. They’re proud of where they work and are more likely to stay. That saves time and money replacing departed workers, it increases productivity, and it builds consistency, reliability, and trust.
Ways To Create Curb Appeal in Commercial Spaces
To start with, walk out to the actual curb or parking lot and take a good look. What do you like? What don’t you like? What could use a little improvement?
After that, you can move to the next step: developing a plan to tackle the problem.
But if the above is a little too vague, then here are some tips:
- Focus on places that draw the most eyes. Which spots and features do customers see first? The front entrance and any side that faces a street need special attention. How could you make these places look better?
- Evaluate the existing landscaping. Are there plants or trees that have become unhealthy, overgrown, or just plain ugly? Get rid of them or trim them back, and replace them with younger, healthier, and more colorful plants.
- Keep the region and the season in mind. Designs that reflect the local colors and climate create a welcoming feeling. They also instill a subtle sense that you’re in touch with the area, its character, and its people.
- Go native. Exotic plants may grab some attention, but they’re more work to maintain than native plants are, they tend not to live as long, and they can disrupt the local ecology. Save time and money by going with native plants. They’re also another sign that you understand the region and care about its character and sustainability.
- Make it user-friendly. If you’re managing an apartment complex, create spaces with sun and shade in mind so that tenants can enjoy them all year long. Are you running an office? Develop places that employees can enjoy on their lunch breaks, places they can get some sunshine, shade, or fresh air.
- Tend to the parking lot. If a parking lot is difficult to navigate, people will avoid it. Repair potholes and cracks, and keep the striping fresh so that it’s easy to park.
- Provide good lighting. If your site is open when it’s dark, people are going to want to feel safe there. Night lighting is essential here, whether it’s for tenants getting home late or customers having to walk across a large parking lot in the dark.
- Keep all walkways clean and smooth. This contributes to a sense of safety.
- Make it even more user-friendly. Our society is changing, and more and more people are leaving cars behind to reduce their carbon footprint. Bike racks, for instance, are great ways to attract customers and employees who want a greener way to work and shop.
LandArt Solutions
If you’re a business owner or a property manager, you probably have enough on your plate already. For expert assistance with creating curb appeal in your commercial spaces, see how LandArt Solutions can help.
We’re a fully licensed professional service with more than 20 years of experience in the field, and we help residential and commercial properties alike achieve their full potential.
Whether you have a particular idea you need to see implemented or you want a partner during every step from design through installation, we’re here for you.
