Create a Better Customer Experience with Commercial Planters at Shopping Centers

By using planters and plant pots to elevate the look and feel of your shopping center, both your customers and the stores in your mall will benefit. 

When it comes to shopping centers, design plays a big role in the customer experience and, in turn, the success of the shops and businesses that operate there.

Think about it: have you ever been to a mall that looked run-down and dilapidated? The odds are it made you want to leave in a hurry rather than sticking around to browse. 

On the other hand, when you head to a shopping center that’s designed to feel welcoming and comfortable, you’re probably more inclined to stick around and browse—in turn benefitting the businesses in that mall.

And as much as the big picture things like architecture, layout, and lighting influence how people feel in a shopping center, so do the small details. And that includes the planters and greenery.

Here’s how you can use commercial planters to elevate the design and customer experience of any shopping center.

Add to the Design Aesthetic 

The right commercial planters and plant pots are a subtle addition, but they can also make a huge impact on the way a shopping center looks and feels. 

For example, we worked on the award-winning transformation of downtown Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, with our Modern Elite Cube Planters. A major part of this project was to widen the sidewalks on Argyle and Grafton streets and remove the curbs to create a more continuous space for foot traffic to walk between establishments. Modern Elite Cube Planters were used to add to the design aesthetic. This downtown area includes a convention center, restaurants, nightclubs, shops, and hotels.

Compartmentalize Different Areas

Planters and plant pots can also be used to compartmentalize different areas within a shopping center. 

For instance, you could use them to divide walkways or create new seating areas. PureModern was proud to be able to help out when JAE Collection designed a combination of benches and couches which incorporated planters in a sitting area at the Westfield Valencia Town Center in Valencia, CA. 

The planters’ modular design fit perfectly with the selected benches and couches and created a juxtaposed design of different geometric shapes, textures, colors, and materials.

Jazz It Up with Vibrant Color

The colors of the planters and plant pots used in shopping centers set the tone for the mood and ambiance of a customer’s shopping experience.

For instance, the planters and plant pots situated at entrances start creating an impression of what the mall is like before they’ve even walked in the door.

Plants can also compliment the mall and its retailers’ branding and logos, and can also help create a uniform look and feel throughout the shopping center.

These benefits are all on full display at Southcentre Mall in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, where Siebenga Interior Design Consultants utilized rectangular, square, and tower Modern Elite Aluminum Planters in their design for the shopping center.

The custom square and rectangular planters flanked benches in hallways, and tower planters lined a long hallway on the second floor. These planters are also visible from the first floor. 

The Southcentre Mall has large skylights that allow the natural light to promote successful foliage growth, which provides a respite in the winter as well as a great place for shopping any time of the year.

Add a Seasonal Splash 

By using native plants in the planters and plant pots in your shopping center, you can add a seasonal splash with minimal effort.

Once planted, the right foliage will change with the season and won’t demand much in the way of maintenance or care. For instance, while carnations and chrysanthemums bloom well in winter, daffodils and tulips will look more vibrant in spring.

The Southcentre Mall from the previous section is a great example of seasonal plants and foliage in action.

Leverage Landscape Lighting

Here’s something you might not have considered: planters and plant pots aren’t solely for plants. You can also use them for landscape lighting.

Why is that important in a shopping center? We’re glad you asked!

Adding light fixtures to your planters and plant pots can be used to direct shoppers’ attention to shops and restaurants.

They can also be used to create a comfortable ambiance in seating areas and illuminate walkways.

Construct the Design You Want 

There’s no cookie-cutter approach to picking the right planters and plant pots for shopping centers. But the good news is you can get planters in virtually any shape, size, and color you can imagine. Whatever your project demands, you can get completely custom planters to meet your needs.

Ensuring a shopping center is well-designed and well-thought-out benefits everybody. Your shoppers feel more engaged, making them want to spend more time there. Since your customers are more open to browsing and spending time in your shopping center, the shops and stores in your mall will see greater sales. And, in turn, the reputation and value of your shopping center will increase accordingly. 

But remember: it’s not just about the big picture design and architecture. The small details are key elements as well. 

If you’ve got questions about the right planters for your shopping center, simply request a quote today. Our experts will be happy to help you find the perfect fit.