Custom Fixtures: How to Get a High-End Look at a Fraction of the Budget

Posted on September 24, 2024 by CBSF
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Custom Fixtures: How to Get a High-End Look at a Fraction of the Budget

Posted on September 24, 2024 by CBSF
 

FIVE PROVEN STRATEGIES TO LOWER THE COST OF CUSTOM FIXTURES AND DISPLAYS

Every retail designer works to bring their vision and the company’s brand experience to life, while every retail operations team must manage timelines and budgets. That’s the all-too-familiar tension between creativity and practicality.

As one of Canada’s leading retail fixture manufacturers, we’ve seen it all—every unique request, every challenging project. So when we can prototype a new design, test a new material, streamline a manufacturing process, or look for ways to produce more durable or cost-effective fixtures – we jump at the opportunity.

Through trial and error, we’ve learned what works—and what doesn’t. The result? A set of strategies that allow us to deliver high-end looks while cutting costs.

Here are five ways we help designers and clients achieve the look they want—without breaking the bank:

1. The Pros and Cons of Custom Retail Fixtures and Displays

Custom work is both a blessing and a challenge. While going custom means getting exactly what you want, it also requires careful consideration to ensure you’re not over-committing to unnecessarily expensive materials, details, or manufacturing processes. At CBSF, we guide retail teams in making smart, cost-effective decisions that still deliver high-impact results.

  • Custom doesn’t mean extravagant: Many fixtures can be simplified or produced using more affordable materials that still deliver a high-end look.
  • Right-sizing for the use case: We ensure every fixture is designed to fit its intended purpose, balancing durability, aesthetics, and cost.
  • Focus on what matters: Sometimes, choosing a more affordable material that offers the same visual appeal is the smartest move.

There’s the old saying, “You can’t get champagne on a beer budget.” But if something needs to look like champagne, and no one will take the time to smell or taste it, what’s the difference?  As strange as that analogy might seem, the same principle holds true when building out a retail environment.

2. Materials Matter: Know When to Spend and When to Save

Choosing the right materials is key to achieving a high-end look without going over budget. Some materials are worth the investment, especially in high-traffic or functional areas, while others may be substituted with more affordable options that still deliver a premium feel.

  • Stainless steel: One of the most durable materials, stainless steel is perfect for high-traffic areas or environments where cleanliness is critical, like restaurants or food prep areas. For these use cases, we select the appropriate grade to meet your functional needs. But if you’re after the look rather than the durability, there are cost-effective options like aluminum, painted or powder-coated steel, laminates, or vinyl wraps.
  • Glass accents: Glass is fantastic for accenting displays and works beautifully in high-end shelving or where lighting can play off the reflections. However, acrylics often provide a safer and more budget-friendly alternative in areas with higher foot traffic or where breakage is a concern. Acrylics are about ten times more impact-resistant than glass, and due to their lighter weight and clarity, they are a smart choice for high-traffic retail environments.
  • Solid wood finishes: Natural wood, particularly maple, oak, and walnut, adds a warm, timeless aesthetic to any space. However, solid wood comes with a higher price tag. A cost-saving alternative is veneers, which offer the same visual appeal but at a lower cost. Veneers maintain the beauty and texture of natural wood while being less expensive and more sustainable due to reduced material use. Additionally, pre-finished engineered woods and laminate panels can achieve the same effect in areas that don’t require the weight or durability of solid wood.
  • Copper tones: Copper adds a luxurious, warm tone to any design, but it can be costly. A smart alternative is using bronze or brass, which deliver similarly rich, metallic finishes without the premium price tag. These metals are more affordable while still providing a high-end aesthetic, making them great substitutes for decorative elements, especially in retail environments where both durability and style matter.
  • Natural stone: While marble and granite are go-to materials for luxury retail environments, they come with high material costs and may be porous, requiring regular sealing to prevent fading and staining. Instead, manufactured stone offers an excellent alternative, achieving the same natural look and texture at a lower cost. This material is lighter, easier to install, and more budget-friendly while still providing the high-end appearance customers expect, with the added benefit of being more resistant to fading and staining.
  • Wood wall treatments: Tongue-and-groove wood panelling adds a rustic, handcrafted feel to any space. While this option delivers high-end appeal, installing it can be costly and labour-intensive. For a more budget-conscious alternative, prefabricated panelling can achieve a similar look from a distance. Often made from materials like MDF, plywood, or engineered wood, they replicate the warmth and texture of natural wood while reducing labour costs due to their faster installation time.

3. Innovation Through R&D: Materials We’ve Tested

At CBSF, we’re always experimenting with new materials to provide creative and cost-effective solutions for our clients. Through R&D, we’ve found materials that bring fresh design possibilities to retail spaces.

  • Cardboard shelving: Specifically designed for pop-up stores or temporary retail environments, cardboard shelving provides an affordable, lightweight solution that eliminates the need for storage after use. These shelves can be easily recycled after a campaign or event, making them cost-effective and sustainable.
  • Cloth ceiling tiles: We’ve also developed cloth ceiling tiles framed in wood, where cloth is stretched and glued to create geometric ceiling patterns. This approach enhances visual interest and offers sound-dampening benefits, making it an aesthetic and functional choice.

4. Total Cost of Ownership Matters

When planning for custom fixtures, material costs are just one part of the equation. The total cost of ownership includes extra factors that can significantly affect your expenses over time:

  • Manufacturing costs: The process of building your fixtures, from raw materials to final assembly, can vary depending on the complexity of the design and the materials chosen.
  • Shipping logistics: Bulky or heavy fixtures can drive up shipping costs, especially when rolled out nationally across different geographies and locations. We design with this in mind, creating solutions that minimize unnecessary bulk without compromising quality.
  • Initial installation: Installation costs can add up, particularly for complex or intricate designs. We simplify the process by designing fixtures that are easy to assemble and install, reducing labour time and costs.
  • Reconfiguring over time: Fixtures often outlast store setups, so we design them with flexibility in mind, ensuring they can be reconfigured easily to meet new layouts, saving you from future rebuild costs.

At CBSF, we consider all of these factors when designing, prototyping, and manufacturing custom retail fixtures. Our goal is to ensure that what you invest in now will continue to work for your store tomorrow.

5. Thinking Ahead: Installation and Shipping

As mentioned in #4 above, one of the most challenging aspects of custom retail work is planning for installation. It’s not just about creating a beautiful fixture or display; it’s about ensuring it can be installed quickly and cost-effectively.

For instance, when working on the Adidas flagship store at the Toronto Eaton Centre, the designs included a large display that had to be moved through the store’s staircase. Because it was a custom project, we were able to build and ship all of the parts as knockdowns to ensure it could be assembled on-site without sacrificing the visual impact.

Let Your Design Team Dream Big—We’ll Make It Happen

With decades of experience, CBSF ensures your design vision becomes a reality without sacrificing efficiency or budget.

Custom work gives your team the freedom to create anything they imagine. And when you bring your plans to CBSF, we help you figure out how to turn those ideas into reality, all while keeping costs, timelines, and practicality in mind.

Ready to transform your retail space? Contact our team to learn how we can help bring your design vision to life, no matter your budget.