​If you’re a movie buff, you might feel it in the air — the surge of award season movies that tend to come out during the fall and winter months. Or maybe you’re more of a casual viewer, who savors cozy days spent catching up on your streaming to-watch list at home. Either way, it’s easy to see cinema’s impact on our daily lives — but what about on commercial interior design? 
Yes, that’s right! For multifamily and student housing developers, your potential residents’ movie-viewing habits can certainly influence your design choices. Fortunately, you don’t need to guess about how to best attract your silver screen lovers. Here are a few tips to keep in mind during the design stage. 
Survey Potential Residents On Their Movie Habits
There’s something undeniably appealing about a home theater. After all, think about every great mansion you’ve ever seen in movies or TV shows — isn’t a home theater always part of the deal? 
Chances are, a theater room is something that may interest your residents, too! Of course, when it comes to installing luxurious amenities, you don’t want to simply guess or assume what potential renters want. Put local insights to use and know exactly what renters in your area value most — and what they’re OK doing without, too. That kind of information isn’t easy to source on your own — but for Mood’s research team, it’s all part of the process. We can conduct local, custom-crafted surveys to determine what amenities are sure to “wow” in your area. Of course, if a movie room of some sort is on that list, there are a few ideas to consider next. (Fortunately, this is where the fun part begins!)
Must-Have Movie Room Features
Not every multifamily movie room or clubhouse theater will look the same. In fact, today’s technology makes it easier than ever to watch movies from home — so you’ll want to incorporate features that set your space apart from the basic living room setup! These might include:

• Reservations: Having the option for residents to reserve your movie room may make it easier to keep the space clean and functioning its best — while also providing a fun opportunity for birthday parties and special events!
• Themed Décor: Whether you pull inspiration from silver screen regalia or the local community, themed décor can set your clubhouse media room apart from the rest.
• Streaming Options: Ten years ago, you might have been able to get away with a standard DVD setup in your movie room. Today? Not so much. Smart media access to residents’ favorite apps is a must-have your community will appreciate.
• Versatility: Remember those surveys we talked about earlier? Sometimes, they might point to other amenities residents want just as much as a movie room — like, say, a place to watch the game or host a video game night! Equipping your space for all of these big-screen activities can make it a more versatile (not to mention valuable) addition to your community.
• Events: For multifamily and student housing developments that want to foster a sense of community, look to your movie room as a potential event spot! Whether you host viewings for the big game or Oscars night, this can be an attractive component of your complex for community-minded renters.

Of course, these are just a few fun considerations to keep in mind as you plot out the perfect multifamily movie room — let Mood take it from here! From conducting local trend research to design, renderings, and FF&E procurement, our team is ready to help you create a community people want to call “home.” 
 
 

​Charlotte. Austin. Raleigh/Durham. What do these metropolitan areas have in common? Well, there’s a lot — from their thriving arts scenes, to their Southern charm, to the delicious foodie offerings that abound in every direction. 
But perhaps most importantly, these three enclaves are listed among U.S. News & World Report’s 25 Fastest-Growing Places in the Country — a ranking based on net migration (i.e., how many new people move to a given place in a five-year period). At Mood Interior Designs, we operate in these communities (and then some!), and have had the privilege of witnessing that growth firsthand.
Playing a part in local population booms isn’t just rewarding on a personal level — it’s taught us a lot, too! For multifamily developers and investors looking to harness growth in their own communities, here are a few key insights we’ve gained along the way. 
Reflect The One-Of-A-Kind Landscape & Culture
The fastest-growing places tend to be among the most popular metro areas in their state — Austin is No. 1 in Texas, for example, while Raleigh/Durham and Charlotte are No. 1 and No. 2 in North Carolina, respectively. They’re also the kind of locales with enough name recognition to be known by city alone — no state clarifier needed. (Kind of like a one-name — or mononym — celebrity à la Beyoncé, Adele, Shakira, or Rihanna, right?)
All that is to say, these cities are rich in character — and that’s bound to be a large part of why so many people are moving in! As a multifamily or student housing developer, you can capitalize on local charm with subtle nods throughout your clubhouse and community. Showcase the local geography, if possible, with well-positioned pool views or picture windows. Reflect natural color schemes in your furniture and décor choices. Opt for wall hangings, coffee table books, and anything else that ties into the local je ne sais quoi — so when it comes time for tours, potential residents are left with a positive, one-of-a-kind impression of your space as part of the local *insert iconic city here* culture.
Stay On The Edge Of Local Trends & Preferences
When communities grow quickly, local trends tend to evolve just as fast! Custom research from Mood Interior Designs can help you stay on top of changing styles and preferences, so you know exactly how to entice today (and tomorrow)’s potential leasee.
Get To Know Your New Neighbors
It’s not enough to simply know your community is booming — ask yourself, who’s moving in? Are young professionals flocking to your area for a rising job market? Are families transplanting from a larger metropolitan hub nearby in search of something more suburban? These are just a few possible answers, of course, and most community booms will be fed by more than one source alone — hence, the boom! But by getting a better idea of the local population makeup, you’ll know how to serve and attract new residents — and when you’re a multifamily housing developer, that’s everything.
These fast-growing communities may have made the top rankings — but at Mood, we proudly offer our turnkey design services in metropolitan hubs across the country, too! Contact us today to see what we can do for your multifamily or student housing community. We can’t wait to work with you.
 
 

​Raise your hand if you work where you live — or is it live where you work? We get confused sometimes, too! With the advent of the remote (or hybrid) workspace over the last two years, that line has been blurrier than ever. That isn’t to say working from the comfort of home is a bad thing, of course — for families, young professionals, and many more groups, a flexible workspace is more productive and conducive to a well-rounded lifestyle.
If you develop multifamily or student housing communities, the work-from-home (lovingly referred to as WFH) crowd is one you’ll want to keep in mind as you design your commercial clubhouse — because they’re on the move! According to a 2022 FlexJobs survey, nearly 65% of respondents cited the ability to work remotely as a factor that would make them consider moving. That makes sense — if you don’t need to live near a busy city center, you have some more options! 
And of course, even those who do go to the office will likely still WFH from time to time — so it’s safe to assume that your clubhouse should have some kind of remote office setup. What does that look like, though? Here are a few places we love to look for inspiration.
Celebrity Offices
Yes, really! Let’s take it back: two years ago, the celebrity interview changed forever. As opposed to only appearing in person on late-night or daytime talk shows, actors and musicians could suddenly video chat to the studio from their homes — their very beautifully designed homes, that is. Carefully crafted studies and workspaces that were previously relegated to the fodder of home design magazines, could now be witnessed by the world — and we took notes! 
Of course, celebrity bookshelves and office backdrops aren’t the be-all, end-all of workspace inspo. Some of the furniture and accents they have may be too abstract (or downright expensive) to implement in a communal space. However, when you’re feeling uninspired by the countless clubhouse design ideas online, they can come in handy as a fun creative icebreaker. 
Luxury Resorts
Another great place to seek out inspiration? Your favorite hotel or luxury resort! Again, the idea isn’t to recreate what you see piece for piece — rather, it’s to get a sense of what “wows” corporate travelers, and imagine ways to recontextualize that feeling on a more practical scale. Gone are the days of the bare-bones business center with just a printer and a few functioning computers. Decorate! Make a splash — and a statement! (Or better yet, let a professional, passionate team like Mood do it for you.)
University Libraries
Modern workspaces and commercial clubhouses need to accommodate WFH employees on different schedules, with varying needs — some will need computers, others a spacious seating area to kick back and toss some ideas around. What else does that sound like to you?
If you said a university library, well — ding ding ding! We’re on the same page. Modern collegiate libraries and media centers do a great job of serving students of all different academic backgrounds, and the well-appointed WFH space should do the same for employees and self-employed remote workers. 
Nature
Studies show that exposure to natural green and blue views (i.e., trees, grass, and water features) can help people feel calm, refreshed, and productive — all good traits for a thriving WFH space! Take a walk through a local park or visit an outdoor landmark to see what draws people to your unique environment — then, seek out ways to infuse your commercial clubhouse with that feeling (think gorgeous picture windows, plant life, or even seating options arranged in a natural, garden-inspired formation). 
Ready to craft a commercial, WFH-friendly clubhouse design you and your residents can feel good about? Mood has you covered with everything from design, to local research, to FF&E procurement. Contact us today to get started! 
 

​From cronuts to avocado toast, it seems like there’s a new culinary trend every year — and with the advent of social media, it’s easier than ever to witness the rise and fall of a food fad. But while the actual dishes may wane over the years, the phenomenon that’s known as being a foodie isn’t going anywhere. In fact, according to Google Trends, the term “foodie” — a handy self-descriptor for people whose hobby is cooking, dining, and discovering delicious new ingredients — hit an all-time high earlier this year. 
Let’s face it: we’re hungry! Not just for straight-up sustenance, but for the layered experience that a delicious meal (or the making of) can bring to us and our loved ones. If you’re a multifamily or student housing developer, it’s important to recognize that your commercial clubhouse design shouldn’t just look beautiful — it should also provide a welcoming place for communities to gather and share in the foodie fun. Wondering how to do that? Mood Interior Designs has a few fun ideas to keep in mind. Just read on and dig in!
Outdoor Kitchen
An outdoor kitchen and/or bar area is a natural pick for attracting the foodie crowd! Having access to a gorgeous, communal cooking space helps potential residents envision themselves truly living in your community — not just as renters of a single apartment unit. Even if your outdoor kitchen isn’t a full-service, gourmet space, you can still accommodate food prep and serving with features like a sink, countertops, or grill area.
Dining Room With A View
Pools, walking paths, and other outdoor features help residents enjoy nature from the comfort of home. Why not take things a step further by fashioning an outdoor dining room that invites them to kick back and soak in the view? Dining tables with various comfy seating options make your multifamily community feel even more livable — like an extension of your residents’ homes that they feel free to make their own!
Don’t Forget The Practical Touches!
Even the most beautiful outdoor dining space can be thwarted by what’s missing — poor lighting, insufficient seating, or even inadequate waste disposal options. These practical finishing touches seem small, but they can make a huge difference when it comes to achieve a fun and functional outdoor foodie haven.
On-Site Snack, Dining, & Coffee Options
If you really want to take things to the next level, consider providing on-site snack, dining, and/or coffee options for your residents! This may be especially wise for student housing communities — after all, parents like to know that their adult children have access to nutritious meals without venturing away from home. However, research suggests that it makes just as much for general multifamily communities, too! According to a 2021 report from Multi-Housing News, the pandemic seems to have “quickened” the trend of on-site food amenities. And it makes sense — when people started leaving their homes less, they sought out ways to enjoy being at home more! And the idea of dining out without really, well, dining out may be one trend that’s here to stay.
Local Culture
Mood proudly operates in a variety of foodie communities known for their delicious cultural scene, and we know that food is as much as an artistic consideration as a practical one. That is, you can entice residents by incorporating local foodie culture into your community’s design — think, beautiful clubhouse artwork that references local cuisine! 
You can also instill a lively sense of culture in your multifamily community by hosting regular events like food truck visits — giving your residents more to savor from the comfort of home.
From initial design to FF&E procurement, our team is ready to help make your new property a foodie paradise when it comes time for lease-up! Plus, we can help conduct custom local research to determine the features your potential residents crave most in a community clubhouse environment. Get in touch today to learn more — we can’t wait to work with you.