Creative Store Decor Ideas- “Don’t judge the book by its cover,” may sound accurate for humans, but it is definitely not the case when it comes to non-living items. Especially when it comes to retail businesses, it is all about first impressions, which is why the top businesses have unique store decor that screams volumes for their quality.
Even if your shop has the finest quality of products, but the display is disappointing, you would likely not be able to attract customers. There are plenty of inspirations worldwide, available online for store decoration ideas. Here we have gathered 15 creative store decor ideas to help your new business break out of the ordinary.
How to Have a Creative Retail Display?
Before we share the list, you must go through the following important pointers to have a creative retail display that can catch the potential shopper’s eyes.
- Decide on a colour scheme and theme for your store which can be a cohesive visual language for your brand
- Use your products as artwork or decor items
- If needed, invest in interactive displays such as digital catalogues, VR headsets etc
- Make your store smell amazing all the time with a unique scent
- Incorporate a little nature into your store such as indoor plants
- Create unique product displays
- Have a tempting POS display to attract last-minute purchases
- Have an “Instagram-Worthy” wall for your customers to take pictures with
- Place seasonal products out at the front
- Get creative storefront decor done
- If your business is kid-centric, have a kids’ entertainment corner
My Favorite Store Decor
I would like to start off this list with one of my personal favorites store – one that I never feel like leaving. Typo is basically an Australian brand that sells unique and fun stationary, homeware, gifts and accessories. They have stores in many locations around the world and I’ve visited them in Malaysia and the UK.
Most of their stores are relatively slow in size and often very crowded but still the place feels like home because of how they set the store up. They also always set up the store according to themes like Halloween and Christmas so every time you visit, there are some new surprises in store (literally).
How to Decorate Different Types of Stores?
In the list below, I have discussed different types of stores and the best decor ideas for them but don’t feel that you’re limited in any way – you can always mix things up and use any of these ideas that you like for your own store:
1- Dollar Store Decor Ideas
Planning on opening up a local dollar store in your area? You can stack up colour-coordinated items together on a display rack to catch customers’ eyes.
Also, organize your stock category-wise so it is easier for customers to find a skincare item near to cosmetic aisle or find a gift bag near the stationery aisle.
For miscellaneous items such as sunglasses or hats, you can have them displayed near the POS terminal.
2- Thrift Store Decor Ideas
You can decorate your thrift store finds by organizing colourful vintage finds together in a corner. The picture above has red, white and grey items that can also serve up as Christmas seasonal decor items for your store.
3- Beauty Supply Store Decor Ideas
Look at the interactive displays of beauty brands catching attention even from a distance. Moreover, the neatly organized and categorized items also help in bringing your potential customers back.
This picture is of the ULTA beauty store, which has cosmetics on the front and hair care at the back. This is because the company wants to lure customers into the store by stashing colourful cosmetics at the entrance.
Here are some of the Top Cosmetic Brands that you can add to your store.
4- Clothing Store Decor Ideas
The above picture showcases a colour-coordinated section from Zara Clothing Store. Do you notice how long dresses are showcased in a longer rack, whereas, the short tops are placed in the centre at the shorter rack? Also, look at how creatively they have used mannequin heads to display their hat collection.
5- Boutique Store Decor Ideas
Slapping outfit on mannequins is not the only way to display your designer wear in a boutique. Take inspiration from the Louis Vuitton store. There is branding going on the walls with a huge LV centrepiece, that is definitely Instagram-worthy.
Moreover, look at the mannequins in sitting and walking postures, slaying the LV clothing. So cool!
Adding some musical elements in a boutique store is also a good idea and for this you can take inspiration from our post on Music Themed Room Ideas.
6- Consignment Store Decor
Look how this consignment store has made an attractive display corner by placing a matching rug, sofa, paintings and lamps all in a “Living Room Inspiration” style. This will definitely help customers shop for more than what they came for.
7- Wine Store
Since wine or alcohol are stored in dark-coloured glass bottles, it is recommended to display them in a well-lit area so the shine on the bottles draws attention to themselves. Take the above store picture of EATALY Wine Store for example.
The bottles are safely placed on wooden shelves that have strong iron pillars to hold the weight. Moreover, the store has used bright warm lighting which goes well with the light brown interior.
8- Lingerie Store
Victoria’s Secret comes to mind first when you think of a lingerie store. The classic pink stripes illuminated at the storefront will draw customers’ attention from the furthest corner of the mall. The brand only plays with the set brand colour scheme across the store i.e. Black, Pink and White. Moreover, the sexy lingerie display right at the front will also draw the eyes of both potential customers and window shoppers.
9- Shoe Store
Whether you want to open your own brand of shoes or resale branded shoes under one roof, you should take store decor inspiration from DSW. Nobody likes sales person walking behind you as you look around. It makes a customer conscious and run out of the store.
In the above picture, you have a set of each sandal/shoe displayed over storage tables with their available sizes stored right below. This way you do not need employees to help the customer find their size. They can find their desired size by themselves.
10-Perfume Store
Perfume bottles are decoration items themselves. However, how you place them on display is important. If you place bottles on an all-glass shelve, the bottles won’t draw attention, as the glass of the shelve will divert the light from the bottles. This is the reason why the perfume store above has used glass shelves with solid wooden backs, so the attractive scent bottles stand out.
11- Candy Store
A candy store is full of colours colourful candies. This is why, you should keep the wall colour scheme bright, yet neutral, so the colourful candies pop more. Since candies do not reflect light, these can be kept in clear glass compartments or acrylic cases so the light falls on them. You can use candies as decor for your store as well.
12- Chocolate Store Decor
The smell of a chocolate store will always draw customers but how you can stand out from the rest by going the extra mile. Look at this Hershey’s store in Massachusetts which has this KitKat Trick or Treat Bowl placed at the entrance to attract customers.
This magic bowl is kept in the spirit of the Halloween season and no matter how much KitKat you pick from the bowl or even take a handful, the bowl will magically refill it to the fullest capacity.
13- Candle Store Decor
A candle store is full of brightly coloured candles that fill the air with amazing scents to draw customers’ attention. Similar to a candy store, since the product is itself colourful, displaying the items against a neutral backdrop in a well-lit store is important.
14- Travel Store
Having neck pillows is a must in any travel store. And usually, the neck pillows are displayed at the entrance. Why? Because a traveller is already travelling with a piece of luggage but the softness and comfort of the neck pillows may lure him into buying one for his trip also look at the other luggage bags variety you have in store.
15- Souvenir Store
Unlike other stores, a souvenir shop must have its best items displayed outside the store than inside. As tourists usually do not have the time to peek inside every other shop to find a keepsake they like. You should keep the inside of the store as your inventory and have a nice quirky souvenir display outside, so it attracts tourists to stop, look and purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How do I decorate a small retail store?
Use light colours on walls to make the space appear large. If you have a brand colour scheme you can have an accent wall for it. Moreover, use windows and glass panels as much so the store does not appear to be confined. Also, illuminate your store well.
Q. How can I decorate my storefront?
There are different ways you can decorate your storefront. Use plants as decoration, place a welcome doormat, and have a wind charm placed at the door that rings when someone opens or closes the door, you can paint the trims, signboard and shutter as per your brand colour scheme and have quotes or fun statements to attract passerby’s attention.
Q. How do you display items in a new store?
Your items play an important role in how they should get displayed. If your product is bright and colourful, you should place them in acrylic or glass containers or shelves to draw light. if your product packaging is already of glass, you should use a matter solid coloured backdrop to limit reflections to the product only. The size of the store also plays an important role. If the store has ample space you can utilize it by having display racks across the floor. However, if the store is small, you should limit the display to the walls only so there is space for your customers to walk.
