Why music selection can make or break a space.
We are naturally drawn to people with whom we share positive rapport. This connection is often built and reinforced through matched energy levels, body language and shared interests. When we mirror one another, we're in sync—energy flows. The same is true for our relationship with physical spaces. We gravitate toward environments that reflect our style, interests and tempo. Places where we feel safe, understood and welcome. More often than not, this sense of belonging is no accident—it's carefully curated.
Music is one of the first cues we pick up when we enter a space. It’s a subtle, but powerful signal that tells us whether we’re in the right place. From the moment a song plays, we subconsciously ask: Should I stay or should I go? Any experienced DJ will tell you—one off-key track is all it takes to lose the room.
At Apply Within, we believe music has the power to elevate a space—to transform it into an environment that supports well-being, engagement and productivity. But this only works when the music is chosen with care, purpose and expertise. A generic playlist won’t do. Music must be aligned with the brand, the audience and the intention behind the space.
In many commercial settings, music selection is often left to whoever’s on duty—security, the receptionist, the office manager, or a barista who remembers to hit "play." If that person happens to have great taste and understands the mood and needs of the clientele, you might get lucky. But more often, the soundtrack is a reflection of personal preference, not professional intention.
A 2020 UC Berkeley study identified 13 core emotions music can trigger: amusement, joy, eroticism, beauty, relaxation, sadness, dreaminess, fear, triumph, anxiety, annoyance, defiance and the feeling of being pumped up. That’s a broad spectrum—and only a few of those emotions are desirable in a professional or public-facing setting. An off-brand soundtrack can quickly generate the wrong vibe, repelling rather than attracting your ideal audience.
There are smart tools available to automate scheduling and volume—but the content itself? That still needs a human touch for selection. An expert. Someone who understands both the psychology of sound and the emotional landscape of your brand.
Your space is speaking—make sure it's saying the right thing. Music is not background noise. It’s atmosphere. It’s energy. It’s identity. Get it wrong and everything feels off. Get it right and people won’t just come in—they’ll stay.
Lighting design: The illuminating success factor.
Attention to detail translates to commercial benefits.
Generally, when we launch a place, or introduce a new space we take time to curate ambiance factors such as artwork, furniture, temperature, finishes, soundtrack and our target demographic. Why is specialist lighting design so often sidelined, leaving schemes uncurated?
It’s not just about filling a space with light; it’s about how that light is used to complement the design, enhance the mood, and provide a cohesive experience. Successful lighting designs create a narrative, put us at ease, influence our physical well-being and can ultimately determine a visitor’s desire to spend time in any place, whether for work, or indeed play.
Less considered lighting schemes can cause fatigue, decrease focus and have a negative impact on mood, not to mention creating a sense of uncomfortable-ness. In a restaurant setting, we need our food and menu illuminated, not our faces. Similar workplace considerations are equally impactful.
Lighting design falls between the gaps in so many contractor schedules, becoming a technical afterthought, only for loose ends to be picked up and bundled in with the focus then leaning into functionality - broader advantages and nuances are missed - A pro-active specialist can balance not only functionality from the outset, but also the emotional and aesthetic impact that lighting can have on a space; they can elevate the entire environment, deliver a more impressive and on occasion an apparently enlarged space. When lighting is added retrospectively, though, it can feel forced or disconnected, as if it’s trying to play catch-up with the design intent. People can instinctively sense when something doesn’t quite align and lighting that’s “tacked on” rarely blends seamlessly with the broader vision of the space. This approach frequently misses the chance to tap into lighting’s full potential to enhance the experience, mood, and functionality.
Expertly lit spaces offer commercial benefits too; a room can go from a four to a ten out of ten in terms of demand, luring people into a superior environment then keeping them there. Ask any venue owner how to clear a room fast and they’ll tell you to turn the house lights on full - killing the music and closing the bar helps too of course, but bad lighting equals bad space.
A flat lighting aesthetic does a disservice to a space and its often high value contents; what is required is layering and depth to highlight and accent objects, artwork and architectural details, to optimise visibility in higher traffic areas, to reduce shadowing dim corners - as in capable music composition, for dramatic and emotional effect, the darker areas are of equal importance to those more generously lit. Create some drama.
My rule of thumb: an assortment of separate sources to achieve the coverage and depth synonymous with fabulous spaces. Ambient, Accent, Task…… spotlighting, floodlighting, uplighting,.... track, recessed, pendant, table, wall, floor, step. On occasion, all of these in combination. If you're looking for pop and to minimise glare, a narrow-beamed spot with quality led is a great and inexpensive go-to. Every source serves a distinct purpose.
Light fixtures themselves are at the intersection of aesthetic design and functional light emission, adapting and transitioning to suit the weather, the room set up and the desired dynamic mood. Thankfully evolving technology and modern lighting controls have democratised and automated processes. Achieving atmospheric warmth requires the seamless, hourly rebalancing of intensity as the day(light) unfolds - these adjustments engage guests and visitors, allowing them to assimilate positively, balancing energy, inspiring productivity; it’s almost like a silent guide that directs how people feel and act within a room. Agreeable lighting is subtle, but it can shape behaviors, interactions and even the overall experience of a space - it can flatter one’s look and inspire confidence, ensure we feel safe and perhaps more discreet, it has the power to elicit mischievousness and other behaviours. Ultimately, presenting an enticing place of interest to offer a sense of belonging in those who encounter it.
Neighbouring, competing spaces with differing uses can create conflict via light spillage with their necessary function and needs - a busy workspace such as a kitchen adjacent to a lounge requires different colour temperatures to coexist. In the leisure sector, the downward trend for open theatre kitchens can only help to reduce the conflict here, but separate spaces are frequently ‘zoned’ within larger open plan settings. Equally, rooms full of daylight require the experience and sensitivity of an expert hand to balance the transition between natural and electrical light sources throughout the day and the seasons.
A gorgeous space and rich, immersive experience can be ruined with the flick of a switch - enlisting a lighting designer can mitigate the risks from the outset, optimise performance and supply a room to remember. Don’t be caught making light of a vital project element and success factor.
Workplace hospitality: Come to your senses.
Under-utilised space costs money.
Making better use of such spaces often involves rethinking the sensory experience and ensuring every detail contributes to a cohesive, inviting atmosphere. An independent holistic approach can revise perceptions, increase attendance, visitor numbers, dwell times and reduce void periods.
As a former restaurant owner and operator, the primary goal and commercial imperative used to be filling seats with diners and drinkers. Today, I apply the same principles to transforming under-occupied spaces in other sectors into thriving, productive environments; consideration of company cultural and brand values, market positioning and perception, guest and tenant experience, digital experience, sounds, smells – in fact every touchpoint frankly.
The sudden upheaval caused by COVID-19 forced me to reconsider how my hospitality experience could translate to other areas. I discovered that my personal passion and hospitality catnip lies in creating enjoyable, memorable environments, regardless of the sector. I flourish when making people feel welcomed and valued, which is a key driver of satisfaction and motivation in any setting.
In the restaurant industry, I was always curious about what kept me and others coming back to a particular spot. The motivation wasn’t derived solely from the food or drink, but also from the personal touch—being recognised, valued and made to feel at home. This same principle applies to the workplace: recognition and a sense of belonging are crucial for employee motivation and productivity.
Post-Brexit and post-COVID, the hospitality workforce has been significantly reduced and re-skilled, adding to the challenges faced by employers in that sector. Similarly, the economic downturn impacted those managing other workplaces, prompting a re-evaluation of how to balance remote work (WFH) with office presence (WFO). Employers are scrambling to boost productivity and employee satisfaction in this new landscape where the balance of power has shifted. Today’s work environment must cater for evolving expectations. The workforce evolution from Boomers and Gen-X, who often felt grateful to have a job, to Millennials and Gen-Z, who expect more from their employment, has intensified the need for a compelling workplace experience. Recent thinking held hope that the fear of layoffs in uncertain economic times would entice employees back to the office to impress, but additional incentives are needed.
Many workers have embraced the convenience of home offices, leaving traditional workspaces underused. While remote work platforms and tools have made home working feasible, in-person interactions still play a vital role in inspiration, learning and idea exchange. The question arises: could a more hospitable workplace play a role in bridging the gap?
Put another way, how might we turn our workers into our ‘regulars’?
Consider the workspace as a 'home away from home.' The secret to a competitive edge lies in creating an environment where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, as with any great food recipe. Just as in hospitality, where a positive guest experience is multi-sensory and memorable, a workplace must also evoke positive emotions and a sense of belonging in employees. Feeling ‘at home’. We can all remember how we were made to feel, above all else.
In the hospitality world, much energy is directed to evaluating the guest journey and it involves both internal and external company perspectives. Similarly, workplace experience design should focus on both employees and visitors. We believe that keeping employees engaged and motivated is as crucial as attracting and retaining customers. To add to that analysis, that physical journey is now often bookended by a digital beginning and an ending where the touchpoints are less tactile.
To draw workers back to physical offices and attract new hires, we must aspire to elevate the workplace experience to ‘excellent’, as a minimum. Creating a positive environment involves thoughtful design and attention to detail, from location and amenities to company culture, values and leadership. Sustainability and broader ESG factors are also increasingly important, and all that on top of the more obvious warmth of the daily human interactions. Seldom is there any glue combining all of these elements in locations to ensure their sum exceeds the parts, most advantageously we find at commencement of any project – in other words someone to take a holistic view, who then ensures the magic dust gets sprinkled and the available premium realised.
Success often lies in the details: the sensory experiences — audio, smells, lighting, visuals and the warmth of a personal welcome—can make a significant difference. Operationally, our integrated approach that considers all these elements can turn a space into a dynamic, attractive environment.
Apply Within has first-hand profitable examples of helping to reduce the length of void periods and delivering exceeded rent expectations by adopting this approach.
My experience has shown me that an alluring place of work, or play is one that radiates energy and inspiration, engendering a sense of belonging and well-being for the user. Relatable, attractive, magnetic places create an air of inspiration and the potential of improved productivity. Even an unoccupied space can exude anticipation and possibility.
Your place might look good, but how does it feel?
