Retail Dressing Rooms

Hang Bars

When I started writing this blog post, I thought that I would only write about hang bars and seating.  Hang bars are a big challenge.  What height do I put them, How many do I want? What’s the style and so on.  With seating, really it’s anyone’s brilliant ideas that can work, whether it’s a vintage stool, or a custom tufted ottoman.  Then, after I had researched what I had in my own photo inventory I though I’d check the web for additional photos.  What I discovered was a wealth of incredible images, some of which I’ll put in this blog.  I hope that I’ll inspire you to look at your own dressing rooms, and possibly make some changes. In this photo below,  you will see all types of hang rods. Doubles, singles, and so on… We know that hangers can really affect the condition of the wall behind it, so it is really worth considering what you do with them.  You should always ask ‘How long are my garments?’.  That will dictate how high you place your rods.  In a new design, I ALWAYS reinforce the wall behind the bar.  It’s critical as clothing is heavy, and customers aren’t always easy on the bars! I can feel your heads nod here!

This one below is in OSKA – Heavy Duty, True to the OSKA Brand in appearance, and there will be no marks on the wall, but limiting as to the number of garments in that fitting room.

Seating

You can see too that with seating there are many options.  Again, it is important to be true to your brand. Four of these below are ‘custom upholstered’.  One is bought through a Furniture supplier, and one is a custom wood/metal piece.

 

Design Elements of the Dressing Room

As a store designer I am always considering these following elements.  What’s the style of the client? Who are they trying to sell to?  What’s the budget?  How much room do I have? Do I need 2 dressing rooms or 4? Where do I put them? What’s the space plan?  Are mirrors important? Do I use a three-way or a single? How many hooks or bars? What kind of lighting? Overhead, sconces or back lit mirrors or combinations? What’s the seating? Paint and Wallpaper?  Really, it’s a total room design in itself.  A lot to think about!

What happens in the dressing room?

There’s an emotional response as you step into a dressing room.  Is it pretty?  Is it big enough, or do I feel claustrophobic in it?  Is it clean?  Do I want to take my shoes off? How hot is it? Trying on clothing is hot work.  What do the mirrors make me look like?  What does the lighting do?  Does it show good colour rendering so I can tell what colour the clothes are? Do I look good in this lighting? So many elements are involved as we step into the dressing room. “Here’s the facts from www.retaildoc.com

• Shoppers who use dressing rooms are 70% more likely to buy versus those who browse the sales floor at 28%.
• Those who use fitting rooms buy approximately two times what the browser buys. And they return less.
• If they’re assisted in the dressing room, they will buy nearly two times what the unassisted buys.

In case you didn’t get that, a person who uses a dressing room and has a helpful salesperson will buy nearly four times more product than the person who never walks into a dressing room.” If you ever thought that dressing rooms weren’t important, now is the time to change your mind!

Dressing Rooms are changing

• They’re getting larger
• The mirrors are better with less distortion
• The lighting has moved from overhead fluorescent to better placed light sconces and overhead lighting, and often back-lit mirrors. – Altogether more natural lighting.
• Colours have changed from neutrals to lots of brighter colours and brighter lighter wallpapers.
• There are more hooks, hang-bars and even shelves for our cellphones, handbags, glasses and clothing.
• There may often be more than one chair. Our friends are joining us in the dressing room, especially if we’re talking our younger customers!
• There is more use of technology in the dressing rooms, and also large format images of lifestyle dressing.

So, now on to the inspiration photos!

Every effort has been made to identify the source of my photos. My sincerest apologies if I don’t get this correct.

Planet Blue – Pinterest

 Source

sportsgirl hmkm on Pinterest

  Source

Lee Broom Designs – Coast on London’s Oxford Street

Terre Bleue – Creneau International

I hope you have found this post inspiring and thought provoking, and if you want to find out more about what I do please visit me at Urban Spaces Design Co. 

I am here to help you as a Consultant, A Designer, and Expert in Visual Presentation and Interior Design.  With over 20 years experience I  know how to “Get People in the Door, and Make you Money”  I work with both large Corporations and Smaller Independents

If you are seeking full design services including consulting, merchandising, store design and more.  Please contact us at 604-649 9050 or email to discuss your requirements prior to the consultation.