What goes into the interior of a new or remodeled church building plays a significant role in creating a space that supports your vision for ministry. In our previous post, we discussed the first four of seven steps toward making your interior church design a success.
Now, in Step 5, we arrive at the point where church leaders begin to select the actual interior elements. It’s time to pick out the colors, materials, and finishes that will shape how your church looks and feels to all who enter. But before making any decisions, there are a few important preparations that can help ensure the best choices are made.
Let Go of Personal Preferences
First, make sure to set personal opinions aside. It’s a very important step that can be a challenge. Everyone on your team naturally has views about what looks good or what they like. However, this step is not about what the design team likes, it’s about the vision that God has given your church. Maybe blue isn’t your favorite color, but it might be part of your church’s logo or may align well with the brand and atmosphere you want to create. Putting aside personal likes and dislikes allows your team to focus on what serves the greater purpose of your church’s ministry.
Use Observation and Site Visits
A great way to gain inspiration and clarity before making any interior design selections is by observing and visiting other churches. Thanks to the convenience of cell phone cameras, it’s easier than ever to document ideas that resonate and then share them with your design team. Whenever you see a space that feels right or an element that aligns with your vision, take a quick photo.
Later, gather your team to review these images together. Discuss which features, finishes, or design details might work well for your own church building. This collaborative approach helps unify your team’s ideas and gives you a clearer sense of where to begin, as choices can sometimes be overwhelming. It’s also important to remember that the goal is not to replicate other interiors, but instead to draw inspiration from them.
Choose Commercial Grade Materials
While it might be tempting when selecting materials to choose residential-grade finishes, especially when they come with a lower price tag, it’s crucial to remember that your church is a commercial building. It experiences far more traffic and wear than a typical home. Using commercial-grade materials ensures that your finishes are durable, safe, and designed to withstand years of use. This is especially important when choosing flooring, which must handle heavy foot traffic while maintaining its appearance and functionality.
In addition to durability, you’ll want to consider ease of maintenance. Sometimes, the best stewardship decision is to spend a little more upfront on higher-quality materials that will last longer and require less upkeep over time. Working with professionals, like the McKnight Group, can help you navigate these decisions to find materials that balance cost, performance, and design.
Design from the Floor Up
Once last recommendation: when planning your interior church design, it’s best to start from the floor up. Flooring sets the foundation, visually and functionally, for every other interior element in your church building. The color, pattern, and material of your floors will influence wall colors, furnishings, and finishes.
Looking Ahead
In our next post, we’ll provide some specific design suggestions for creating inviting and effective first-impression spaces, the areas of your church that impact visitors and members the most. Meanwhile, to learn more about church design and construction, join one of our upcoming i3 webinars. These free sessions explore key topics in the church building process, helping church leaders make informed decisions. Visit our website to view the schedule and register for the next session.