Well-finished spaces for ambitious businesses

Commercial decoration needs to work for the people using the building as well as for the appearance of the space. A hotel corridor has a different pattern of wear from a corporate meeting room; a retail entrance must make a strong first impression, while a school may require careful scheduling around term dates. The brief should capture both the visual objective and the practical demands of the premises.

MAR Decor welcomes enquiries from business owners, facilities teams, architects, property managers and main contractors. The right starting point is to establish areas, quantities, existing condition, finish requirements, access and timescales. That creates a more meaningful quotation and reduces uncertainty once work is under way.

Commercial interiors frequently contain a mix of plasterboard, previously painted walls, doors, trim, metalwork and high-contact circulation areas. Product selection needs to take account of substrate compatibility, cleanability, colour consistency and expected wear. A dramatic dark wall in a restaurant may suit a different finish from the hard-used walls of a school corridor.

Preparation is no less important in commercial work than in a private home. Failed coatings, movement cracks and damaged corners should be considered in the scope rather than concealed temporarily. Where particular performance standards or manufacturer systems are specified, those requirements should be confirmed against the tender documentation.

On a commercial refurbishment, decorating is usually one part of a larger programme. Completed joinery, dry plaster, fixed services, floor protection and the timing of other trades can influence when the decorative package should start. We can discuss the intended handover sequence, working areas and agreed interface with the wider project.

For direct clients, we also look at whether spaces can remain in use and how disruptive activities should be scheduled. Exact working hours, site rules, insurance or documentation needs and access arrangements should all be agreed rather than assumed. This approach makes the decorating element easier to manage.