Spaces We Design

Boutiques and retail shops
Cafes, coffee shops, and bakeries
Salons, barbershops, and spas
Studios — yoga, pilates, photography, and creative
Small offices, showrooms, and professional suites
Wellness, medical aesthetic, and consultation spaces
Event and hospitality spaces

Small Commercial Design Services

Space planning, circulation, and customer flow
Point-of-sale, host stand, and service counter placement
Retail fixture layout, display strategy, and merchandising zones
Custom millwork, shelving, banquettes, and built-ins
Seating layout, capacity planning, and clearance
Commercial-grade flooring, wallcovering, and finish selection
Lighting design for merchandise, ambiance, and task areas
Branded color palettes and material stories translated from brand identity
Signage and graphic integration coordination
Window display and storefront presentation
Back-of-house, storage, and staff area planning
Furniture, fixture, and equipment specification and procurement
Contractor and trade coordination

Durability Is a Design Decision

Commercial spaces fail on materials before they fail on style. Residential-grade finishes in a cafe look tired in six months. We specify to use: commercial-rated flooring with the right wear layer, performance and vinyl upholstery that cleans, wallcoverings rated for high-traffic corridors, sealed stone or quartz on service surfaces, and hardware built for hundreds of cycles a day.

Chicago small commercial work also carries its own layer of practical requirements — landlord and build-out approvals, ADA clearances, accessible restroom requirements, egress and occupancy considerations, and permitting through the City. We design with those in view and coordinate with the professionals responsible for compliance and stamped documentation on your project.

Working Around Your Opening Date

Small businesses live and die on opening dates. Lead times on commercial furniture and custom millwork are the usual culprit for a delayed opening, which is why we lock those selections first and build the rest of the schedule behind them.

We work with high-quality tradespeople and reliable vendors, and we coordinate with your contractor so your build stays moving while you focus on hiring, licensing, and launch.

Start with a design Discovery video Call

Every project starts with a Design Discovery Video Call with Sarah.

This FREE 30-Minute Video Call is a great opportunity to learn if we are the right fit for each other.

We’d love to learn about your design needs, budget, and timeline for your new space. We’ll guide you toward the right design package for your project and answer any questions you may have.