Offices and commercial buildings are no longer stale, sterile and devoid of personality: today’s work environments are welcoming and comfortable, thanks to the rise of resimercial design.
Resimercial design - a portmanteau of ‘residential’ and ‘commercial’ - is all about bringing key elements of residential design into commercial spaces. This approach balances aesthetics, comfort, and practical considerations to create welcoming, fit-for-purpose workplaces.
Many studies explore the benefits of resimercial design, but the underlying premise is simple: work is more enjoyable - and more productive - when you’re in a space that feels good.
An introduction to resimercial design
Resimercial design first appeared in the 2010s. It escalated in popularity after the pandemic, when office workers returned from work-from-home environments with higher expectations around flexibility and comfort.
Resimercial design is now well-established, and often considered the next frontier of corporate wellbeing. Employers are prioritising spaces that enhance happiness, creativity, and focus - and it’s not just happening in traditional office spaces. Healthcare, senior living, and educational facilities are all adopting resimercial design principles.
Comfortable furniture, natural light and purpose-led design all feature in resimercial design.
So, what are the three key elements that make up a well-designed resimercial space?
Warm, modern interior schemes
Resimercial spaces are designed to feel welcoming and comfortable. The core features of a workspace - desks, meeting rooms, breakout spaces - remain, but they’re enhanced by comfort features like noise reduction panels, plants, and natural materials.
The furniture used in resimercial designs is reminiscent of what you’ll find in your home, elevated for a commercial environment. Shapes and textures are soft, underpinned by practical design and durable materials.
Colour schemes are softer and more playful, moving away from stark black and white towards warm palettes with rich tonality.
Commercial carpet tiles are available in an ever-increasing range of colours and patterns (pictured left: Interface Circa Then tiles), and sustainable flooring options like Marmoleum (pictured right) are becoming increasingly popular.
Natural light and task-specific lighting
Windowless offices with harsh fluorescent lighting have - thankfully - become a relic of the past. Resimercial designs prioritise natural light where possible, with artificial lighting as a complementary light source.
Lighting is layered, and chosen to support the purpose of the space. Expect adjustable desk lamps for focused individual work, soft overhead lighting for communal areas, and feature pendants in client-facing spaces.
The Qeeboo Pitagora lamp (L) and Muuto Tip table lamp are at home in both residential and commercial spaces.
Interconnected-but-independent spaces
Resimercial offices often include many independently designed spaces that make up a cohesive whole. Each space is thoughtfully designed to suit its purpose: instead of an open office and a single boardroom, expect collaborative ‘pods’ of desks, booths for cosy collaboration, and clearly delineated social spaces.
Each space is designed to encourage a particular mood and type of interaction, from high focus to relaxed conversation. The incorporation of these defined zones makes it easier for employees to enjoy their day-to-day, with specific places designed to make each task feel comfortable and natural.
Two spaces from our recent furniture fitout for My New Start: The waiting area (L) feels comfortable and welcoming, thanks to David Shaw Bowie armchair and Hayden barstools. The office spaces (R) retain the comfortable ambience, but with a more traditional, work-focused aesthetic.
If you’re planning a commercial design or fitout project, talk to our team. We’ll work with you to create beautiful spaces that enable focus, productivity and collaboration.