Three ways to know if you need an upgrade

Trends are constantly changing with new ones coming in season after season, but updating your business space interior for every new trend is unrealistic. Re-doing your interiors is both costly and time-consuming; however refurbishing your working space occasionally can do wonders in the long run and benefit your business. An outdated or tired interior can negatively impact your business with customers becoming unsatisfied, affecting your revenue. So, how do you know when it’s time for your establishment to be updated - not because of trends, but because it’s become outdated? Here Liam O’Donnell, director of Valdivian Furniture, talks through ways to know if your business is due an upgrade. Wear and tear Ensure that you are carrying out regular, in-depth checks on your interior and furniture to spot physical decay; stains, fading, rips, peeling wallpaper, unsavoury smells and discoloured curtains are all signs of needing a refurbishment. Re-decorating can be an expensive job and costs can soon add up, so be sure to create a clear, definitive budget for the project and try to stick to it; perhaps allow a 10% buffer for unexpected costings that may arise. You may not need an entire refurbishment; it could just be a fresh lick of paint or a new flooring that brings your space back to life. However, if a lot of work is needed, prioritise the jobs that desperately need doing and gradually work on the smaller jobs over a period of time - this will help with costings. Check customer reviews Customer reviews are incredibly important for any business, but especially businesses that are consumer based and are made up of spaces where the customers will physically see - such as restaurants and hotels. Regularly checking customer reviews is the best way to figure out what people truly think about all aspects of your business and to establish whether or not you need a refurb. Keep an eye out for negative mentions of layout, interior or amenities. Check overall customer satisfaction over the past year; were the majority of people impressed with their visit? Some customers may have left reviews with constructive criticism and suggested ways that you can modernise your facility - take note of these as they will give critical feedback as to what may need a refurbishment. Assess your decor Do your guests walk into your facility and feel like they’ve walked into the 1980s? If so, it’s definitely time for a refurb! Yes, vintage can be a successful look, but understanding the difference between vintage and outdated is essential; if you haven’t purposely created an 1980s look, it’s time for an upgrade. One predicted trend for 2019 is mustard, so incorporating that is a great place to start. If you have concluded that you’re due an update, research into upcoming trends and figure out how you could include them into your hospitality space. By Liam O’Donnell, director of Valdivian Furniture, a British furniture manufacturer that specialises in bespoke, hand crafted contract pieces