There’s an intricate balance between style and functionality that store owners need to achieve with their shelving and display options. In this blog post, we will delve into the strategies for seamlessly merging functionality and aesthetic appeal when selecting shelving solutions for your store.
Discover how to maximize space utilization, incorporate brand identity into shelving design, and create an inviting shopping experience for customers. Uncover insightful tips and real-world examples that showcase how a thoughtful approach to shelving can enhance both the practicality and visual allure of your retail space.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Store Shelving
So much goes into choosing the right store shelving, and the balance between functionality and design is incredibly important for many store owners. It’s understandable to want shelves that match the look you want for your store, but choosing shelves that meet your functional needs is just as important, if not more so.
Fortunately, with the right shelving options, you can have pieces that are both stylish and functional. It’s all a matter of evaluating your preferences and making the best decision based on what you know you’re going to need.
Here are a few factors to consider when choosing the right type of store shelving to display your products.
Space Availability
The space available in your store will have a lot to do with the shelving options you end up choosing. If you have more floor space than wall space, free-standing gondola shelves might be a decent option. However, you’ll need to consider the amount of space your customers will need in order to move freely across the floor.
If you’re limited on floor space or you don’t want to make your store seem too crowded, wall shelving might be a better option. With this option, though, it’s important to place shelves only as high as your average customer’s line of sight. This way, your products won’t be in the way, but they’ll still be seen.
Weight Limits
Consider the weight of the products you plan to place on your store shelving, as several options may or may not be applicable due to weight limits. One product may not seem very heavy, but if you’re displaying multiple products on a single shelf, you might need to choose something that can accommodate the weight of your displays.
Many free-standing shelf options will be able to support a considerable amount of weight, which may make them a more reasonable option than some of the lightweight wall shelf varieties.
Materials & Color Schemes
Colors and materials play an important role in combining style with functionality. While it might be easy to purchase metal shelves to place throughout your floors, the material and color options might not align with the style of your store.
For example, let’s say your store carries mostly skincare products, and you have your floor designed with a light and airy aesthetic. Cold metal shelving likely won’t fit the motif you’re going for, and as such, it might be better to seek more stylish options like wood, plastic, or even glass.
Similarly, if you own a store that carries mostly power tools, lightweight shelving is not going to cut it, especially if your average product weighs more than 10 lbs. In this scenario, the cold metal shelving might be more appropriate both because of its durability and its more industrial style.
When choosing colors and materials that match the look you want to present, be sure to evaluate the rest of your shelving components as well. You’ll need to choose the right shelf size, positioning option, cost, and weight limits.
Adjustability
Determine whether you foresee any changes you may need to make in the near future when it comes to how your store is positioned. Do you expect to move to a bigger location? Do you plan to carry a lot more products than you currently do? Are you getting ready to host a special event in which large displays might be necessary?
Keep the future in mind when you’re picking out store shelving. Though a small set of lightweight shelves might seem like an appropriate option right now, things may change quite quickly and your shelving needs to be able to adjust right along with your store’s growth.
For example, if you’re planning to move to a location that offers you more floor space but less wall and ceiling space than your original site, buy store shelving with the future in mind. In some situations, shelving pieces serve as both wall or floor shelving, depending on the installation process. If you predict significant changes in the future, do what you can to secure shelving that you can adjust as you go.
Budget
Finally, your budget is an essential factor to consider when you’re looking for new store shelves. While you probably shouldn’t opt for the very cheapest options on the market, it’s important to purchase shelving that you can afford. When researching your options, check the prices for different shelving vendors, as you might find that the perfect shelving from one vendor is just beyond your budget while the same product is quite affordable through a different vendor.
If your final decision comes down to style vs. functionality, it’s in your best interest to choose shelves that meet your
functional needs first and foremost. Remember, most store shelving pieces can be painted or otherwise decorated so that they reflect the style of your store, but very rarely can store shelving be easily adjusted so that the pieces serve a more functional purpose than what they’re designed to do.
Initially, it’s not easy to find the balance between style and functionality when you’re shopping for store shelving. This is especially true if you operate a specialty store or one with a complicated floor layout.
With so many options available, making the right choice can become overwhelming very quickly. However, if you take all of the above-mentioned factors into consideration, you’ll find shelving units that meet your needs on both fronts.
Visit Display Connection for all of your shelving needs. We carry a wide variety of store shelves and display cases, so you’ll surely find something that exceeds your expectations.
