You know the challenge.
DIY retail isn’t easy. Balancing stacks of stock, bulky goods, seasonal promos, and trying to make it all feel inviting, not overwhelming? That’s the daily juggle of DIY store design.
It’s one thing to get customers through the door. It’s another to hold their attention, guide them through your space, and give them reasons to come back.
We’ve worked with some of the biggest names in DIY, brands like Dulux and B&Q. So, we know how quickly even the best DIY product displays can get buried under too many products, too much clutter, or layouts that just aren’t pulling their weight.
Let’s talk about the ways we help DIY stores and hardware showroom designs turn bulky items into standout displays, while shining a spotlight on those easy-to-miss products…
What’s Stopping Your Store from Flowing?
When was the last time you walked your shop floor like a customer? Not just glancing at shelves but really experiencing the space.
- Do your bestsellers get lost in the mix?
- Are bulky items clogging up aisles?
- Is there a point where the flow just… stops?
Every DIY showroom design is different, but the problems are often the same. Too much stuff, too little space to think.
We’ve helped clients fix this in ways that suit their space, their stock, and their customers. No cookie-cutter solutions here, whether it’s DIY store design or hardware store design.
Got Bulky Products Eating Up Space?
It’s an eternal headache. Cement bags, power tools, seasonal items take up room, and suddenly, your welcoming layout feels like a warehouse.
One of the tricks we’ve used? Vertical thinking.
Deep-set pallet displays, tiered shelving, wall-mounted fixtures. All designed to lift products off the floor without blocking sightlines. That’s how we help transform DIY product displays into part of the customer journey.
For Tops Tiles, we made sure heavier items sat near the entrance – easy to grab, no dragging through the store. And clear aisle signage helped prevent bottlenecks.
Designer insight – Richard, Retail Designer at Ripple:
“When we’re looking at bulky stock, we always ask, ‘how do we make this feel part of the journey, not just a roadblock?’ It’s about keeping space open without losing product visibility.”
What’s cluttering your aisles right now?
See how we tackled this for Dulux →
Signage That Speaks to Your Customers
It’s a fair assumption that signage is simply a necessity. But this often leaves it as an afterthought. Good signage? It’s a silent salesperson and a cornerstone of any effective DIY store design.
Think about your categories. Are they clear from the moment a customer walks in?
Beyond just directions, are you telling the story behind your products?
- Overhead signs keep navigation frustration-free.
- Shelf-edge labels? Great. But how about pairing them with QR codes linking to quick how-to videos?
- Highlight the why: comparisons, use cases, benefits.
We’ve seen this turn passive browsers into confident buyers, whether it’s DIY product displays or hardware showroom designs.
Need proof? Check out our Little Greene case study →
Where Are Your Paint Brushes Hiding?
Here’s one we hear a lot: “How do I make small items like paintbrushes and measuring tape stand out without cluttering up the space?”
Our advice? Stop thinking of them as ‘small’ and start thinking of them as essential.
Grouping products by intent is a simple but powerful tool. Decking tools go together. Paintbrushes with masking tape and filler. That’s what makes DIY product displays work harder, by subtly nudging shoppers toward that next item they didn’t know they needed.
And placement? High-traffic zones near key categories or checkouts should never be an afterthought in any DIY showroom design.How are you handling the essentials? Do they have pride of place?
Your Checkout: Last Impressions Count
The checkout is often where sales end, but it can be where extra revenue begins.
We’ve helped clients turn their counters into small-space powerhouses.
Forget messy, cluttered displays. Think curated essentials:
- Superglue, batteries, decorator’s brushes – stuff people always forget.
- Bold, simple price tags: “3 for £5” grabs attention.
And rotate that stock. Keep it fresh, seasonal. De-icer sprays in winter. Wood filler in summer.
Whether it’s hardware store design or DIY product displays, the checkout matters.
See how we use countertop displays to boost sales →
Branded Displays: Are You Getting Enough from Your Suppliers?
You’ve probably got supplier-provided branded stands. But are they working hard enough?
We often see them shoved into corners or blending into the background. But when positioned right, in places near demo areas, mixing stations, key decision points, they reinforce trust in major brands and keep customers engaged.
Lighting. Signage. Context. These are the touches that make branded displays shine – whether in a DIY store design or a hardware showroom.
Got displays from suppliers gathering dust? Maybe it’s time to rethink where they live.
JT Atkinson Living Showroom Case Study
JTA Living was a brand new showroom concept for JT Atkinson. They wanted help creating a showroom that was adaptable and versatile which could also be replicated across different branches for brand consistency. We focused on customer engagement and showroom layout to improve the customer experience.
This had an immediate impact delivering a 29% increase in revenue within 2 months of re-opening and a 200% increase in footfall within a year.
Take a look at the full JT Atkinson case study →
Every DIY Store Design is Different – Let’s Talk About Yours
No two DIY store designs are the same.
Your space. Your customers. Your stock. They all need something bespoke.
At Ripple, we craft retail spaces that work. Whether it’s DIY showroom design, hardware store design, or something in between, we help brands create environments that drive engagement.
Need fresh eyes on your showroom? Struggling with stock flow? Or just want to see what’s possible?
Let’s chat.
