It’s been quite a while since we first talked about Resimercial office design on the Design Tonic blog and, if that passage of time tells us anything, it’s that this is no short-lived workplace fad.
In fact, the concept of resimercial has evolved into something far deeper - it’s now simply “the way we work”; a happily embraced interior style that appeals to employees at all levels and from all generations.
Why? There are countless good reasons, which we’ll cover in greater depth below.
But simply, today’s offices are much more than just functional spaces, they’re environments designed to foster engagement, productivity and wellbeing.
Your office space should be designed to help everyone do their best work - as well as reflecting your company culture and values in the most positive light, helping you attract and retain both top talent and great clients.
Resimercial design (and its bouji counterpart, hotelification) have taken centre stage by blending the comforts of home and hospitality with the practicality of a modern office, creating comfortable, irresistible workspaces that people want to spend time in.
It’s a concept we’ve always loved, and something we’ve liberally applied to our client projects for many years - adding bags of inimitable Design Tonic style as we go!
Intrigued? Explore our projects archive here
So, if you’re wondering how you can embrace resimercial for your own office, we’re perfectly placed to explain…
Design Tonic X The Property Buying Company
What is Resimercial Design?
But let’s begin at the beginning, with a deeper description of what constitutes the resimercial style.
At its core, resimercial design combines the best of two worlds - the comfort and cosiness of home with the functionality and efficiency of a commercial office.
The term itself is a blend of “residential” and “commercial”, and its runaway success comes from the fact that it addresses a fundamental need in today’s workplaces - creating hybrid-friendly spaces where employees feel comfortable, relaxed and supported in their work; spaces where collaboration, creativity and social interaction can thrive.
And how do you design such a space?
Resimercial spaces…
- Embrace the tenets of biophilia (think plentiful natural light and natural materials, lush planting and feel-good colour schemes suited to the task/s of the space).
- They layer in homely elements, like soft seating, ambient lighting and warm, tactile fabrics.
- And they incorporate a range of environments, complementing more formal work settings with breakout zones designed for cooperation, connection and chill time.
Why do Businesses love Resimercial?
It might be easier for you to see the benefits of resimercial to workers than it is to see them for companies - but stick with us, because there’s plenty to gain from a business POV too.
By prioritising your employee’s experiences, a resimercial design approach helps you:
Boost Employee Wellbeing - and Productivity
The connection between workplace design and employee wellbeing is well-established, but to recap…
Comfortable, thoughtfully designed spaces help reduce stress and encourage creativity, as well as positively impacting how your staff feel about spending time in the office.
When employees feel at ease they’re more likely to engage deeply with their work, and that leads to higher productivity and better job satisfaction.
And that’s good for them - and good for you too.
Attract and Retain Top Talent
In a competitive job market, your work environment can be a major deciding factor when you’re seeking to secure the best talent.
This is especially true for your future workforce, with younger generations, especially Millennials and Gen Z, prioritising work and work environments that offer flexibility, comfort and a sense of belonging.
By creating a space where people enjoy spending their time, a well-designed resimercial office doesn’t just help you attract great talent - it also helps you keep them.
Embrace a Hybrid Approach
So many businesses have adopted hybrid working - and that means that our offices need to be more than just functional spaces; they also need to be welcoming enough to entice people away from their homes.
By bridging the gap between home and traditional offices, the inviting flexibility and comfort of a resimercial space draws employees in, meeting the needs of a more fluid workforce with ease.
Design Tonic X Caddick Construction HQ
How to Create a Resimercial Office: Key Design Ideas
If you’re looking to design a great resimercial office, you want to strike a balance between style, comfort and functionality.
Of course, you could just speak to our talented team, and we’ll help you create an out-of-this-world space that addresses all your office design needs :)
But, if you’re thinking of going it alone, here are some of our design team’s key ideas to help you bring the concept to life:
Your Breakouts
Any modern office needs multipurpose spaces and, if you’ve been following us for any time at all, you’ll be well aware of our love of a breakout zone.
These zones, lounge areas and informal meeting spots in one are ideal for collaboration, relaxation and creativity - and they should feel congenial and informal, encouraging spontaneous interactions and socialising among your team members.
Find 7 excellent reasons to build Breakout Spaces into your Office design here
Your Furniture and Layouts
One of the hallmarks of resimercial design is the use of furniture that blends the softness of home with the practicality of the office - think cosy seating in communal areas, paired with sleek, ergonomic chairs and desks in individual work zones.
The key is to offer a range of options, allowing employees to choose between formal workspaces and more relaxed, collaborative settings.
Your Lighting
Lighting is so important to creating a welcoming atmosphere. Natural light is a must, as it helps regulate mood and energy levels - but, in places where natural light is limited, ambient, energy-efficient LED lighting is the way to go, both for functionality and sustainability.
Use soft, warm-toned bulbs for a more inviting feel or cleaner, brighter hues for task-based work.
Whatever you do, steer clear of harsh overhead lighting - and don’t forget that your lighting can be stand-out spectacular too, like the stunning LED installations we built into our design for Caddick Construction’s HQ (above).
Your Materials
Incorporating natural materials such as wood, stone and fabrics can help homify and soften the look and feel of your office, as well as tying it to the natural world for a touch of biophilic benefit.
Textured rugs, upholstered furniture and tactile surfaces like wooden desks or cork walls add warmth, and don’t forget to use plants and greenery with abandon - they’re absolutely invaluable to add visual interest, brighten, soothe and bring nature to your workspace.
Your Brand Personality
And of course, adding decor that reflects your company’s personality is a must - but it needn’t stop at branded signage.
From colour schemes to artwork and custom murals, there are endless ways to stamp your company’s individuality on a space.
Our favourite? Branding that nestles within a plant installation is a contemporary and stylish way to make your mark, like at Irving Knight (above).
Design Tonic X Goodall Brazier
A Nod to Hotelification: The Boujiest way to elevate your employee experience
Where resimercial brings home-like elements into the office, hotelification borrows elements from boutique hospitality to create luxurious work atmospheres that feel indulgent and elevated from the off.
This is, after all, an era where experiences are becoming more and more important.
In commercial interiors, hotelification is another level again, looking to replicate the hospitality industry’s ability to entice people in - so that workers don’t just want to come to work, they almost don’t want to leave!
Hotelification is about transforming your office into a destination, blending opulent hotel-style design - like the beautifully designed reception area and meeting rooms at Goodall Brazier (above) - with added-value amenities, from wellness rooms to barista coffee bars.
The goal? Like resimercial, it’s to encourage people to spend more time in an office space, with the obvious benefits that brings to employers.
Design Tonic X Kinrise Real Estate
The Resimercial Revolution - Transforming the Employee Experience
Essentially, a stunning resimercial office doesn’t just look incredible - it can transform the way your employees feel about the workplace.
And those staff who feel comfortable and valued are more likely to engage with their work, be creative and collaborate effectively with their peers.
Better still?
An out-of-this-world resimercial workspace can also boost your clients’ perception of your company, by presenting a modern and human-centred brand that reflects their values in everything they do.
Ready for your own Resimercial Revolution?
Our expert design team is ready to help you realise the out-of-this-world workspace of your dreams, with a bespoke office that perfectly balances comfort and functionality.
