How do we choose the right laminates for a store?

Merino Laminates, December 8, 2024 Updated On : April 29, 2025

1. Size of the store
2. Understanding the customers that the store caters to
3. Nature of goods sold
4. Budget friendly vs luxury brands
5. Maintenance and flexibility

Are you working on a store design but are confused about the kind of finishes that you must choose? There are many factors that you must consider before you zero in on the ideal finishes for a store. When we talk about wall finishes, we are often choosing between painted walls, wallpapers and laminates. Out of all these, it is advisable to go for laminates as they are sturdy, easy to clean and the stickering and branding can be changed easily without any damage to the surface. Here are some factors that you need to consider in order to choose the right colours, textures and patterns in your finishes to create a space that is elegant, impressive and holds the attention of the visitors:

1. Size of the store

One of the most important factors that you must consider while choosing the finishes is the size of the store. The sizes of door handles, lights chosen etc., vary depending on the size of the space. Similarly, dark colours for the interiors are avoided if it’s a small space, and instead, brighter and lighter colours are used to create an illusion of space. Mirrored walls also make a great finish in stores that are small and are often paired with stark white laminated wall finishes to give the space a sleek and modern look.

2. Understanding the customers that the store caters to

It is crucial to understand the gender, age group, spend capacity and the aesthetic preferences of the visitors. The finishes you’d choose would be much different for a store that sells clothes for children versus the finishes chosen for a store that sells luxury watches- this diversified parallel helps us understand how the different finishes chosen can have an appeal for the end consumer. While vibrant, bright colours and catchy accessories work well for fast fashion, stores catering to children etc., sophisticated finishes like leather or velvet, paired with opulent accessories and lights works well for niche brands, boutique offerings etc. The key is to create a space that attracts the users and holds their attendance while exuding the ambiance that aligns with their spend capacity and preferences. It is also interesting to note that sometimes, offering similar goods but at different price points also changes the ambiance of the space. A budget grocery store will have decor and finishes that are different compared to a store that offers gourmet grocery, organic produce etc. The decor finishes, planning and ambiance should make one feel at ease so as to encourage them to come back to the store as a repeat customer.

3. Nature of goods sold

The finishes used for stores selling different items are completely different and there is no standard rule that we can follow to create a generic design. Clearly, the finishes that would work for a grocery store will not at all work for a bespoke boutique that crafts tailored suits. wHile some finishes may remain the same, there will still be a lot of differences in terms of the colours, layering of textures and finishes, depending on the typology of the store, budget etc. The nature of the goods sold, price of the goods and the understanding of the end users will help us create a space that is relevant, user-friendly and appealing. The finishes and decor should also help the customer address the task at hand, without getting distracted which would ultimately determine the business made by the store. Relevant use of colours, pleasant lighting, wall art or graphics will help you create a wholesome shopping experience.

4. Budget friendly vs luxury brands

The nature of the brand that the store houses has a lot of impact on the kind of finishes used. While a brand that is niche, exclusive and high-end will have opulent, unique finishes that exude a sense of sophistication, fast fashion and budget friendly brands on the other hand often go for bright and attractive colours and have finishes and colours that align with their branding, design of the logo etc.

You can achieve the desired end result by creating interesting displays, wall finishes, niches etc., as the idea is to create a platform for the product to be showcased while offering an engaging and user-friendly in store experience. Be it luxury finishes or something more on a budget, Merino Laminates brings to you a wide range of options to choose from that will help you create a fun and engaging shopping experience that is on par with global standards.

5. Maintenance and flexibility

As a store is a place which receives a lot of visitors, it is important to opt for finishes that are easy to clean and maintain. Going for finishes that can simply be wiped down, like laminates, makes the chore of keeping the store clean extremely easy thus, optimising the time of the staff.

If the store caters to generic products and is prone to change in ownership frequently, it would make sense to go for finishes that are neutral and would be easy to adapt to any changing business with minimal changes. This will not only reduce the cost of redo-ing the interiors, but it will also help reduce the impact on the civil structure which can weaken extensively owing to excessive wear and tear due to constant changes.

We hope that these simple design tips and guidelines will help you choose the right laminates for a store design. It is imperative to understand both the needs of the store owner and the expectation of the customers to create a successful retail design that is functional, appealing and durable.