05 Jan Using Interior Design & Visual Merchandising to Make Your Model Pop

Do You Need an Interior Designer or Visual Merchandiser?
When searching for the right senior community, often times seniors and/or their caregivers do not realize how much of what appeals to them has to do with the way things look. That’s why it is important for those who run the community to really consider the setups of their model apartments. Here at Model55, our interior designers view their work not only as interior design, but also as visual merchandising. Although the term is usually used in the context of retail and shop setups, we believe that the right blend of both is the key to setting up a model apartment that can be used as an invaluable and effective sales tool for our clients.

What It Means To Be Interior Designers and Visual Merchandisers

So, what does it mean to have a model apartment that incorporates both interior design and visual merchandising? It means that your model apartment will be both aesthetically pleasing and in-line with your brand promise. The priority of an interior designer is to make any given space beautiful and functional, whereas the priority of the visual merchandiser is to create an accurate depiction of your community. Here at Model55, we aim to design model apartments that are both aesthetically pleasing as well as inclusive of the special elements your community has to offer. We take the time to get to know the communities we help, and to understand what sets them apart from other senior living establishments in their areas.

How We Combine Community Differentiators with Interior Design

For example if gardening is an outdoor activity that attracts many of the residents in your community, we will work to incorporate elements of gardening into the aesthetic design of your model apartment. This creates a talking point for your potential residents when showing your model on a tour. As model apartment providers for the senior living industry, we have come to understand the importance of incorporating elements that speak to potential residents in our design. The key is to show residents what they can have by making it both visually appealing and engaging.

Using Interior Design to Attract Potential Residents

Another way the combination of interior design and visual merchandising can attract potential residents is by using design elements that speak to seniors and their caregivers. For example, using the proper lighting for the aging eye, or incorporating seating that is comfortable, stylish, and easy to stand up from are all excellent ways to use the concept of visual merchandising with interior design.

If you have any questions about how you can ensure your model apartment appeals to potential residents when they come to tour your community, be sure to reach out to us at hello@model55.com.
 
About the Author: Melanie Sullivan is the Senior Interior Designer at Model55. She holds an education in Interior Design from Becker College in Worcester, MA. She is primarily responsible for space planning and creating design concepts. Melanie is passionate about working with any space, small or large, and making it a beautiful functional space. If you have any questions for Melanie, feel free to reach her via email at melanie@model55.com.