So much of what we do in this industry is based on appearances first, with function coming in a close second. Our clients expect a design to be as beautiful as it is functional – so it seems natural that consumers also expect our showrooms to look a certain way: orderly, clean and tidy.

Displays and selection areas should be kept neat and organized – everything in its place – no shipping boxes, employee lunch leftovers, cleaning or office supplies in sight.

The same goes for dust and grime: While some grit might be understood – even expected – in a behind-the-scenes work area, it’s not meant to be seen on the sales floor. After all, if consumers don’t like the way kitchen and bath dealers present their showroom – their direct link to the buying public – are those consumers going to trust the business with (and in) their home, one of their biggest investments?

Not likely, says Matt Hendrickson, president of Son Cabinetry and Design in Bermuda Dunes, CA. “Your showroom is a reflection of the type of work you do,” he says. “In other words, if you look good, you are good.”

Hendrickson should know. His 1,500-sq.-ft. showroom is a testimony to his belief that the showroom makes the business. It is open, yet welcoming, allowing consumers to walk into each vignette to experience the design, layout and cabinetry up close, instead of simply looking at it from a distance.

Most notably, as soon as you enter Son Cabinetry and Design, you see – and are drawn in by – the showroom displays. There are no structural barriers or visual clutter to obstruct the view.

What does your showroom say about you? Are there changes you could make to improve its appearance and presentation?

To help you find the answers, Hendrickson recently shared some of his strategies for keeping a well-maintained, uncluttered showroom.

Less is More

To begin, he operates according to the “less is more” philosophy, especially when it comes to using props in the showroom. A showroom should look like a home, if not better, he says. It should be clean, livable and spotless. Displaying items on the countertops and in cabinetry is necessary to give the display personality and tie it all together, but these things should be kept to a minimum. That way, the consumer can imagine his or her own possessions in each cabinet.

Balance is key. Every prop you place should be intentional and should have a reason for being shown. For example, a kitchen display should include a nice set of pots and pans. They don’t need to be high end, but they should be new and must look nice.