How to Make a Great First Impression with Your Multi-Residential Lobby

For a long time, the lobby was considered the unremarkable part of multi-residential buildings. It was a space where residents simply passed through. In reality, your lobby is one of the first things new tenants and visitors will see. It sets the tone for what they can expect throughout the rest of the building.

The lobby is the place to make a powerful statement on residents and visitors. A lobby’s interior design reflects the narrative and personality of the rest of the building, and it is critical to capturing a prospect’s attention and imagination.

Although a lobby can take up anywhere from 15% to 30% of a multi-residential budget, this space plays an critical role in accruing value. Real estate professionals agree that a beautiful lobby can increase the perceptive value of a multi-residential building as much as 15%.

You only get one chance to make an excellent first impression. Here are some ways you can design a lobby that creates a lasting impact.

The changing face of the foyer’s interior design

Until recently, lobbies were merely transit points that residents scuttled through at the beginning or end of a commute. But new economic realities are redefining what residents and prospective buyers expect from a multi-residential lobby.

The biggest change is starting in the mailroom. As online sales continue to soar, managing all of the packages coming in is becoming a growing issue for multi-residential property managers. A mountain of uncollected parcels can quickly clutter a beautiful lobby. For this reason, it’s important to dedicate adequate back-of-house space to sort and store deliveries for residents.

In the era of Uber and Lyft, ride-sharing is becoming the increasingly dominant form of transportation for urban residents. More people now use the lobby as a “waiting room” for their ride, so designing a space with adequate comfortable seating is paramount.

Please the crowds

Lobbies are one of the most congested parts of a residential building, and it’s common for residents to traffic some unpleasant guests in with them. The lobby must be designed to withstand the rain, dirt, and general grime that often comes through the front door.

The floor is the foundation (no pun intended) of any interior design and can easily make or break a lobby. Tile is the prime choice for multi-residential buildings. It is not only highly durable and easy to clean, but it also offers several colours and finishes.

The walls of the lobby need to carry the same level of durability. Though painted walls are usually the prime choice for lower-budget projects, vinyl wallcovering makes natural materials more durable.

Acoustics are also an important consideration when designing lobbies, particularly when sound-reflecting materials like tile are used. Softer furnishings, such as plush pathway rugs, can absorb the sounds of reverberating footsteps and raucous hallway conversations.

Play with contrast in your lobby’s interior design

When it comes to colour, darker colour schemes are making a resurgence in multi-residential lobbies. Dark interiors do not necessarily have to be sullen or unappetizing. When the right lighting and materials are combined with darker palettes, they can help create a high-end aesthetic that is more resonant with a boutique hotel.

Deep, dark backdrops can also effectively highlight specific areas of the lobby space. They can give a room weight and depth while creating a surprisingly opulent and calming atmosphere.

In dark rooms, it is essential to create a strong contrast. A mix of materials will let some textures and colours stand out against a dark background, so occasionally, be sure to use lighter or bolder colours.

Layer your lighting in the lobby to give the space character

Although we’re often not aware of it, light is the first to greet us when we enter a lobby. When thinking about a lobby’s lighting, it is important to consider the room’s scale, as well as the lighting shapes, sizes and styles.

Layering different sources of light is a surefire way to achieve excellent lighting. This means using all three types of lighting (accent, ambient, and task) to achieve a room that glows, with bursts of interest from various fixtures and brightness levels.

Create a stunning accent wall

​​Accent walls offer a great opportunity for companies to showcase their brand through various colours, shapes, and patterns. This is your chance to experiment, so it’s important to select the right wall to accentuate while ensuring the colour or pattern exists in harmony with the rest of the room.

A strong accent wall will highlight the lobby’s existing focal point, which is the singular spot the eye is naturally drawn to. Highlighting the wrong wall means the eye will not have a place to settle on.

A great way to liven up feature walls is to bring the outdoors inside. Natural stone, greenery, and wood can transform the standard lobby experience to one more akin to a rustic or sophisticated retreat.

Wall art also serves a very important role in creating a striking focal point in the space. When choosing a piece of wall art, the most important factor is scale. An artwork that is too small will get stunted by the surrounding furniture. Similarly, an oversized piece will look as though it is pouring over the feature wall.

Want to see how 34F Design can take your multi-residential lobby to the next level? Check out our work with Aquarius.

Great multi-residential lobby design revolves around creating a first impression

When people walk into your multi-residential lobby, you’ve got one chance to make your brand sparkle. Regardless of the building or budget, these simple design concepts can help you make an indelible impact on both residents and visitors.

Looking to make a great first impression with your multi-residential lobby? Contact 34F Design for your next multi-residential project.