Rapid actions taken in response to pandemic lockdowns and the rise of remote working have now evolved again into something far more strategic - a total re-evaluation of what we really want from our offices, how they perform under that lens and what they say about us as the brands who occupy them.
But one crossroads every business will reach sooner or later is the same as it’s always been: when your needs change, is it smarter to stay and reinvent the space you’re in, or move on and start again?
For many, the instinct used to be relocation - a fresh start, a new postcode, a clean slate.
Now though, with leasing costs climbing, sustainability targets tightening and hybrid models demanding more flexibility not more floor space, the answer isn’t quite so simple.
Today’s occupiers are realising that value lies not just in square footage, but in how intelligently that space is designed and used.
And in that context, a full refurbishment or CAT A+ upgrade can often deliver the same level of transformation as a move - without the disruption, cost or carbon footprint.
At Design Tonic, we call this the modern office rethink - and it’s one of our favourite starting points for any office design project, offering us the chance to take what already exists and turn it into something that performs better for its people, for their productivity and for our planet.
Design Tonic X Phoenox Textiles: A Beautiful Refurb of an old Mill Floor
Why more Businesses are choosing to Stay and Transform
Over the past few years, lots of organisations have made bold changes to how they occupy space - reducing square footage, subletting surplus floors or adopting hybrid models to save costs and meet sustainability goals.
And while the pressures that inspired these moves still exist, there are signs of a more optimistic shift in the market.
Recent research by Irwin Mitchell for their 2025 Office Occupiers Report shows that 45% of UK businesses are now planning to expand their office space, with a whopping two-thirds (63%) believing they downsized too far in the wake of the pandemic.
And interestingly, almost half (49%) of those planning to grow say they’ll reconfigure or refurbish their existing premises instead of moving altogether - choosing design-led transformation over disruption.
We see this as a pragmatic response to a number of current pressures:
- Cost efficiency, with refurbs typically more affordable than a move and fit-out.
- Sustainability, because a “refurbish first” strategy is a great way to reduce carbon impact.
- Flexibility, because a redesign creates a space that can evolve with hybrid needs.
- Ongoing economic volatility, making businesses more cautious.
For many, upgrading an existing footprint is a best of both worlds solution, bringing all the benefits of a new space, without any of the risks - or hassle - of relocation.
Our team has been seeing this shift throughout our client conversations, from professional service firms refreshing heritage buildings to sports clubs reimagining underperforming facilities.
Now, the brief is less “more space” than it is “better space” - and that’s exactly the kind of brief our talented team loves to deliver.
Design Tonic X Phoenox Textiles: A Beautiful Refurb of an old Mill Floor
Why Full Refurbishments - especially CAT A+ - are on the Rise
It’s not just occupiers who are finding that intelligent refurbishments can reshape the way we think about value - it’s landlords too.
Having shown their potential to attract and retain great tenants, CAT A+ fit outs are becoming a new standard, with these “ready to go” spaces bridging the gap between a basic CAT A handover and a full tenant fit out.
Executed well, a good CAT A+ scheme offers potential tenants a space they can walk into, plug in and get to work - an instant competitive advantage in a busy market.
And as a result?
The result? Buildings lease faster, void periods are reduced and landlords stay ahead of the curve.
Read more about how CAT A+ fit outs help landlords secure long-term tenants
For occupiers, the appeal of a full refurbishment is equally strong.
You get all the benefits of a fresh start without the upheaval of moving, meaning less downtime, lower capital expenditure and complete design control to align your space with your culture, brand and operational goals.
There’s also a clear sustainability advantage.
Refurbishing rather than relocating reduces embodied carbon and improves ESG performance, a win both for your people and your stakeholders.
And if you’re wondering whether office design can actually improve your EPC rating?
The short answer is yes (learn more here), because a thoughtful refurbishment creates the perfect opportunity to hardwire sustainability into the very fabric of your building.
Design Tonic X LifeSearch UK: A Sustainable, Multi-Site Refresh Project
So - exactly when is a Refurbishment the smarter choice?
Now you’re armed with a bit of background, when exactly does it make sense to stay put and reimagine what you have?
We’ve helped clients across a huge range of sectors unlock the potential of spaces they thought they’d outgrown, proving that - with the right design strategy - the smartest move can be not moving at all.
Our experts have pinpointed these scenarios as ideal for a refurb:
Your location still works beautifully
If your address offers good transport links, client access and brand visibility, a redesign can help you maximise those advantages without the cost or upheaval of moving.
Your space isn’t small, it’s just inefficient
Often, it’s not about square footage but how that square footage is used. Smart space planning can unlock underused areas, improve flow and create a layout that supports hybrid collaboration and quiet focus alike.
Your EPC rating needs a boost
A refurbishment provides the perfect opportunity to upgrade your lighting, materials and HVAC systems - boosting your building’s performance and your sustainability credentials in one move.
You want to enhance your workplace culture
If morale, creativity or connection have dipped, a design refresh can have an instant impact, reshaping how your teams interact and breathing new energy into everyday worklife.
You need better flexibility rather than more floorspace
For many hybrid businesses, the challenge is often a lack of adaptability rather than a shortage of space. Agile zones, modular furniture and multi-use areas can deliver the freedom you need, without the extra rent.
You’ve still got time left on your lease
If a relocation would trigger significant costs or tricky legals, investing in your current footprint can be the most pragmatic option.
You want to reduce embodied carbon
Reusing what’s already there avoids the environmental cost of any move or new build, helping to meet sustainability targets and demonstrating environmental accountability.
And when might Relocation be the Right Move?
Of course, there’s times when even the most creative redesign can only go so far.
If your current building can’t support the way your business needs to operate, or if location itself is holding you back?
Relocation may still be the smarter long-term move.
Our team usually advises clients to consider a full move if:
Your location isn’t fit for purpose
Whether it’s accessibility, client proximity or staff commute times, if your postcode no longer serves your people or your brand, it might be time to look elsewhere.
You’ve genuinely outgrown the space
When there’s simply no way to expand or reconfigure efficiently, a fresh start in a larger footprint could deliver better ROI.
The building can’t meet your needs
Older properties sometimes just have limited access to natural light, ventilation or smart systems - or simply can’t accommodate the amenities your evolving business needs.
Lease renewal costs outweigh refurbishment
If your rent review or renewal terms push costs beyond what a refurbishment can justify, relocation could be the more strategic option.
Even then, the process doesn’t have to mean starting from scratch.
Design Tonic’s commercial interior design experts can help you assess potential properties, weigh up fit out costs and design a space that supports how your people actually work - find out more here.
DT Sports by Design Tonic X Leeds United: East Stand Offices given a new lease of life
How Design Tonic approaches a Full Refurbishment
At Design Tonic, every refurbishment begins with one essential question: how can this space work harder for the people who use it?
Having seen how often the root of productivity concerns is not remote work but how well an office is designed to help people thrive (read more here), we start our consultation-driven process by understanding how your teams work, how your clients engage with your space and what your building needs to deliver to keep everyone happy.
Through a detailed workplace analysis, we spotlight inefficiencies, explore cultural nuances and pin down the opportunities to futureproof your office, designing in hybrid versatility and sustainability from the ground up.
And only then do we move into space planning - ensuring that every decision, from layout to lighting, is grounded in strategy.
Proven time and again, our design-and-build model is what keeps that strategic thread strong from concept to completion - and by giving our clients a single, accountable partner through the whole journey, we can make sure that the creative intent is never diluted by process, timelines or technical constraints.
Some Real-Life examples…
You can see this strategic, human-centred approach across our portfolio:
- Like at Phoenox Textiles, where we transformed a dilapidated mill floor into a bright, high-performance workspace that balances industrial heritage with modern function - exposed brick and timber beams sitting alongside sleek Crittall glazing and Cubeform dividers for both storage and flow.
- Or take the design and build transformation of 34 Boar Lane we delivered for repeat client Kinrise alongside the concept team at Anomaly. The perfect example of how a strategic refurb can unlock the potential of an existing footprint, this is now an uber-contemporary coworking and event space - warm, elegant and highly flexible, it offers a whole new experience that’s added meaningful value for tenants, users and landlords alike.
- At LifeSearch UK, whose 3-city refresh project redefined what a sustainable multi-site refurbishment can be, we conducted a full workplace consultation, repurposed existing furniture and introduced flexible layouts that brought consistency, creativity and efficiency to every location.
- And through DT Sports, our specialist sports interiors division, we bring the same intelligence into elite environments - like with our work for Leeds United, where we revitalised their East Stand offices to enhance light, flow and functionality, celebrating the club’s heritage and ambition all the while.
The result is always the same - an out-of-this-world transformation that balances design flair with commercial logic for a space that doesn’t just look exceptional, it also works smarter, performs better and feels genuinely connected to the people who use it.
The Smartest Move
So, refurb or relocate? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but there is a right one for your business.
And we can help you find it! Talk to us today and we’ll work with you to weigh the pros and cons, from cost to culture and sustainability to future needs, so you can make the call with total confidence.
