It’s the hot trend and you can find it everywhere: The reclaimed, refurbished, and rustic look. We see it in our homes with old furniture painted in bright colors to look fresh and playful, the farmhouse décor that is prevalent, and the accessories made from pallets and reclaimed barn wood.
The corporate environment is no exception to this trend. The number of clients who already have or ask us to incorporate old barn wood or similar concepts into their interior increases every day.
It’s a fun approach, and if it truly is reclaimed materials it’s an environmentally conscious thing to do, however it is still a trend. Before you jump on this bandwagon, here are two important questions to ask yourself:
- What type of business do you have? Does this environment reflect the image you want to portray to your clients/customers? Do you wish to portray elegance, sophistication, refinement, or detail? If so, the rustic style may not be for you. On the other hand, if your company is environmentally responsible, casual, industrial, eclectic, or fun, a rustic environment may appropriate.
- How long do you expect to stay in this space, or when do you expect to renovate again? If you are looking for a classic, timeless design to last many years with only minor modifications, this is not for you. If you expect to renovate and refresh your space every 5-8 years or move within that timeframe, then this could be a great fit for you.
Before you incorporate the popular rustic/reclaimed aesthetic, think about what you are trying to achieve. Does barn wood, pallet walls, and their kin align with your brand, identity, and company culture?
Will it still fit in 10 years, or will your staff and clients/customers say, “Yep, that was done in the teen years (2012-2019)”?
It is a trend. Make sure it’s a trend that aligns with your company before you implement it.
