Not lucky enough to live close to a flagship Apple store that’s already undergone the design refresh Apple’s been rolling out for the past couple of years?

Have no fear! Because as of May 16 night, Apple will reportedly be carrying out an overnight worldwide design upgrade of its older and smaller retail stores.

If you’ve visited any of Apple’s larger flagship stores over the past year or so, you probably have an idea what to expect from the design refresh. Namely wider open spaces, a “Genius Grove,” more prominence given to materials like granite and wood, trees, giant video screens, and more.

In interviews, Apple retail guru Angela Ahrendts has talked about the importance of making Apple stores the kind of “town squares” people are happy to hang out at.

Not all of the design flourishes will make it to every single Apple store, of course. Particularly in smaller Apple stores, expect something of a “halfway house” between the look and feel of Apple’s high-end flagship stores and the stores as they currently exist. Since the new look will be present when the stores re-open on May 17, this will be cosmetic work only.

Still, since some smaller Apple stores are certainly looking a bit tired these days, it’s great to hear that Apple is still paying attention to them.

Which Apple stores do you think are in particular need of a fresh lick of paint? Leave your comments below.

Source: 9to5Mac