When you look at the spectrum at which designing exists, it is a vast world. There are various facets to it and for someone looking at it from an outsider’s perspective, it is very easy to assume that all of it is the same. Well, it is not. Though the names themselves in this case seem to be very self-explanatory, we will be explaining the difference between the two. Oftentimes, the question that would cross your mind would be why you should listen to us? As the best interior designing company in Gurgaon, we know a thing or two of what we are talking about. So, now without further ado let’s have a look at the differences between the two. Scope The biggest difference to exist between both in terms of design is their scope. Residential interior design pertains to the planning and designing of residential spaces. These are private homes, apartments, and condos. Most of the time these are smaller spaces. Commercial spaces on the other hand deal with the planning, design, and execution of larger business or commercial spaces. You have a wider scope to cover when it comes to the design of commercial space. These spaces could be serving any function. Some of the most common examples of commercial spaces include schools, banks, industrial spaces like factories, or even spaces like malls and retail outlets. As a commercial interior designer, you are also expected to have an understanding of spaces like restaurants, exhibition halls, hospitals, museums, hotels , sports facilities, theatres, clubs, airport terminals, and a lot more. Basically, the world is your playground when you look at commercial interior design. Required Expertise Residential design deals with transforming a space into something to make it livable and pretty often the clients are involved with each and every part of the journey. As a designer, you start right from working with the architect to ensure that you are building a canvas that can easily fit in with your client’s expectations. As a designer, the onus lies on you to create a residential space that the homeowner wants to stay in, day in and day out. While this is a highly detailed undertaking that comes with its own set of challenges, it is still not considered as complicated as commercial interior designing can get. When it comes to commercial interior design, you are looking at spaces that are traditionally much larger. This means that the technical requirements of a space like this are also different. Planning and designing these spaces requires technical know-how which is often missing. As an interior design company in Gurgaon, we have seen and helped in the creation of multiple commercial spaces. We know how it works. In a commercial space, you are looking at the installation of air conditioning, parking systems, lighting, multiple restrooms, and many other design elements. Even though these are elements that are even seen in residential buildings, their requirement is on a much larger scale in a commercial setting. This is also further complicated with the fact that commercial spaces often have design needs that are inherently unique to them. Spaces like museums require you to have safety as well as aesthetic values heightened. Something like an airport terminal has to have separate arrivals and departures and so on. The required expertise of both kinds of designs is very different. Focus on Functionality and Image is Paramount When you are looking at a commercial building extra care needs to be taken about functionality. But at the same time, one also has to take care that the spaces are created in a manner that represents the brand’s values well. Functionality is directly dependent on the building’s purpose. So, if you are designing a school the most important thing that you would need to take care of is safety. In recent times another aspect of design that you need to take care of is disability access. Another aspect that an interior designer has to cater to is government and other safety standards. While all of this is being done, you also have to take care that you foster an environment that promotes productivity. Sub Specialities are a Thing Considering the wide range that commercial interior design covers, there are a lot of sub-specialties that exist which is not the case with residential design. Commercial sub-specialties include retail, industrial, sports, corporate, institutional, hospitality, and a lot more. Residential is not categorized based on the larger picture but rather broken down on the basis of the kind of room it is. These are kitchen, living room, home furniture, and bathroom interior design. In Conclusion The major point of difference between commercial and residential interior design has to be the standard rules for both are starkly different. In a residential design project, your goal is to create a space that is warm, inviting, and livable. Commercial spaces on the other side have a focus on usability and functionality. In the case of a commercial design, the goal is to make the design come to life along with ensuring the integrity of the physical structure and the safety codes that go behind it. Residential designers have a lot more freedom when it comes to executing or drawing up a plan. This has to be done in collaboration with the owner as they would be the ones using the space the most.