Small spaces, big problems?
If you are running a small pharmacy, you are probably aware of the problems posed by not having enough space. Overcrowded shelves, long queues, reduced efficiency and, consequently, lower customer satisfaction. The biggest challenge of small retail pharmacy design is optimising space, efficiency and accuracy while keeping the pharmacy interior design attractive.
When it comes to small retail pharmacy design, there are no one-size-fits-all solutions. Every pharmacy is different. Some have lower ceilings while others do not. Some spaces are rectangular, allowing for a more traditional pharmacy design, while others are oddly shaped with pillars. Besides having a small retail area, oftentimes several additional problems need to be solved. But how big are these problems? While you might feel like there is not much you can do about them, there is always a way to make the most of the available space and create a pharmacy interior design that suits your pharmacy’s individual needs.
When it comes to the design of small retail pharmacies, accuracy and efficiency should always come first. However, creating an efficient and optimised workflow is impossible without creating a smart layout design first. When space is at a premium, it is essential to create detailed plans for every inch of the available floor space and maximise footfall. But just as important it is to design the interior so that it makes your space appear bigger than it is.
Small retail pharmacy design ideas and solutions. What should you pay attention to?
An efficient layout design is paramount when it comes to small retail pharmacies. Without that, it is impossible to make the workflow more efficient and reduce dispensing errors and waiting times. But what aspects should you take into consideration when creating such designs? If you want to create a small pharmacy design that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional, you will have to plan carefully.
When planning to create a small retail pharmacy design, you should first think about the main problems you wish to solve by design. To do that, you will have to ask yourself a few questions first:
- Where the bottlenecks form most often? Ask yourself what causes long queues to form. Is your dispensary not optimised well? Is your pharmacy overcrowded? Do your pharmacists have problems finding medicine due to inefficient pharmacy shelving and storage solution? Think about what is causing these problems and ask yourself whether there is anything you could do about them. Is it worth investing in pharmacy automation? Would a dispensing robot help? Would a new pharmacy dispensary design make the dispensing process smoother?
- Does your pharmacy look and feel overcrowded? One of the biggest problems of small retail pharmacy design is storage. Understandably, you want to display as many products as possible. But if your space feels overcrowded that can seriously harm your business. Customers and pharmacists alike will find it hard to find products and they might get turned away. Think about ways in which you could optimise storage space. Consider investing in custom-made pharmacy furniture that allows you to make maximum use of available space.
If you are serious about your small retail pharmacy design, you should think about these issues carefully. Think about the biggest problems you face due to the space limitations. And consider whether these issues could be fixed. Try to create flexible designs that allow for minor adjustments. But most importantly, always keep your space and your business at the forefront. You have your own, unique space and your unique ways of working.
Cost-effective solutions for small retail pharmacy design
Once you have created an efficient pharmacy layout, you will also have to think about design. The primary goal of small retail pharmacy design is creating a pharmacy interior design that makes the space look bigger than it is. Doing so will not only make your customers feel more comfortable. It will also help your merchandising strategy, give your pharmacy a unique vibe and allow for greater efficiency. And the best part? It does not have to cost a fortune. So today, we share with you our best tips on how to create a small pharmacy interior design that will make your space feel more airy and spacious.
Choose colours wisely
Colour choice is one of the fundamental ways in which you can make your pharmacy visually bigger. Choosing lighter colours that reflect light will make your space appear optically bigger and also cleaner. But that does not mean that everything needs to be of the same colour. You can paint one of the walls a brighter or bolder colour to further expand your space and create a focal point to draw your customers’ attention.
Create strong focal points
Another great tip to make your space feel more spacious and airy is to create strong focal points. You can achieve this by using consistent light colours for most walls, furniture, floors and ceilings and using more vivid and brighter colours for smaller design elements. This could be a colourful feature lighting fixture, a boldly coloured table display or a piece of art on one of your walls.
Create window-like effects
Large windows allowing for a lot of natural light to enter tend to open up small spaces and create a sense of spaciousness. But what can you do when your retail pharmacy is too small for large windows? You might consider elements that create the same effects. You might, for example, cut windows into interior walls to open up space and give your pharmacy a more airy feel. Or, you can think about installing mirrors on walls or at the back of your pharmacy shelves or displays, which reflect light thereby creating the impression of a bigger space.
Go vertical
When floor space is at a premium, you will have to expand the available space vertically. Installing higher shelves and displaying merchandise on various levels will move customers’ eyes upward, thus creating the illusion of more space. At the same time, by making your shelves higher, you can expand the storage space significantly while saving valuable floor space.
Pay extra attention to your pharmacy shelves
Compact spaces require compact storage solutions. Fortunately, there is a great variety of pharmacy furniture and shelves for you to choose from. Using furniture with built-in storage behind the displays, or fitted with cabinets or drawers at the bottom gives you more storage space. Alternatively, you could also consider opting for transparent acrylic or glass shelves, which give your space a feeling of spaciousness by seamlessly blending in with the interior design.
Use lighting to your advantage
Pharmacy lighting design stands out in its importance for creating a welcoming ambience. This is no different when it comes to small retail pharmacy spaces. So try to use lighting to its best effects. Adding accent lights to create focal points and making sure there is sufficient ambient lighting to make up for less natural light will give your pharmacy a more spacious and airy feel. Specially designed feature light fixtures can also be used to create additional focal points and enhance the pharmacy interior design.
Do not forget about floors
Small retail pharmacies need a flooring design that helps make space feel bigger and airier. It is advisable to opt for floors that are lighter in colour to open up space and keep the flooring consistent. If using tiles, it is wise to go for larger tiles or use a seamless flooring option, such as resin.
Concentrate on ceilings
Careful ceiling design can also help expand your space. If you have low ceilings it is worth painting them a lighter colour. Try to opt for white or greyish colours to allow you to visually expand your space. You could also opt for small or medium-sized skirting boards (of the same colour as your walls) or beautiful chandeliers to make the design interesting and your space looking bigger.
Our final thoughts
Designing for small retail pharmacies can easily become overwhelming. From flooring, ceilings, shelves and dispensary design you will have to consider many things. But if there is one thing we strongly advise you to do is to always think about your own space and customers first. Your unique space and pharmacy will require a unique pharmacy design and layout. But if you are serious about your business, investing in a tailor-made pharmacy design is worthwhile.
Feeling lost in the process of small retail pharmacy design?
Vision Shopfitters offers pharmacy shopfitting and design services for both large and small spaces. Contact us today for help.
