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sustainable interior design

Commercial Design

Creating an environment that performs

The last few years have seen a big shift in the workplace. Covid lockdowns had a dramatic and lasting impact on workplace design. Employees who created comfortable, home offices were reluctant to return to uninspiring corporate environments. Our solution at Flippa Interiors was to embrace a hybrid ‘resimercial’ design and this strategic blend of residential comfort and commercial functionality works for a broad variety of commercial settings. Our approach brings the best elements of home into the workplace: tactile textures, comfortable seating, ambient lighting, and accessories like rugs and plants.

Thoughtfully designed spaces don't just look better - they perform better - over the last few years we have successfully brought our ‘resimercial’ design to a variety of clients from schools to offices and luxury retirement complexes.

Are you sitting comfortably? Then I’ll begin…

Sitting comfortably no longer means simply using an ergonomic chair at a desk. Diverse seating options can support a variety of working styles and needs. We’ve designed banquette benches for communal dining, used armchairs in cosy corners for focused conversations, large sofas for team collaboration and pods for moments of reflection and quiet concentration.

These varied environments acknowledge that different tasks require different settings for best results, while portable technology makes this flexibility possible. Of course, all fabrics in commercial settings must meet fire safety standards (Crib 5), but this doesn't limit our design possibilities. Take a look at the bar area and the bespoke bar stools designed for the boarding staff and teachers at an independent school who were keen to attract and retain the most talented teachers and needed to ensure the teachers out of hours relaxation space stood out from the competition.

The Wellbeing Connection

Forward-thinking employers understand the correlation between environment, wellbeing, and productivity and are now demanding it in their workspaces. Elements once the reserve of homes are considerations in creating a healthy, positive workplace.

Communal dining areas foster inclusivity and camaraderie, informal gathering spaces and break out spots encourage natural and spontaneous collaboration, introducing plenty of indoor plants creates a natural feeling and can improve staff wellbeing, whilst ambient lighting creates warmth and reduces eye strain and artwork and decorative elements add personality and warmth.

These ‘creature comforts’ fundamentally transform how a workspace feels - and more importantly how people feel within it. At this school for boys on the autistic spectrum the teachers’ staff room needed to provide a supportive, calming space for teachers to recharge their batteries, hold meetings and work. We designed the space below using a soft, muted green colour palette as it is especially good for promoting a sense of calm and tranquility and used acoustic paneling to ensure sound was softened. Clever zoning provides informal seating for large groups, as well as private spots for conversations of a more sensitive nature, a communal dining space to foster a sense of belonging,  and individual offices for private discussions.

Branding Through Design

Resimercial design also serves as a powerful tool for cultivating a distinctive company identity, reinforcing brand presence, and creating a strong sense of community and belonging amongst those using the space. Company colours can be woven into paint choices and furnishings, artwork can be commissioned that tells your company's story or reflects your values, and custom elements that reflect the local area or company heritage can be incorporated into the design aesthetic. As part of a larger project with a luxury retirement complex we commissioned an illustrator to design a series of bespoke wallpaper murals showcasing the Oxfordshire flora and fauna. The enchanting, large-scale wallpaper murals forge a meaningful connection between residents and their local surroundings and have been much loved.

Bottom-Line Benefits

Investing in resimercial design delivers substantial returns for our clients that extend far beyond aesthetics. These spaces increase productivity by supporting diverse work styles, significantly improve staff wellbeing, reduce absenteeism and healthcare costs, and can dramatically enhance both employee retention and recruitment efforts.

At Flippa Interiors, we understand that exceptional commercial design transcends mere appearance - it’s about creating environments that function seamlessly, evoke positive emotions, and ultimately drive your organisation's success. As the boundaries between commercial and residential design continue to dissolve, we believe forward-thinking businesses that embrace this evolution gain a powerful competitive advantage in today's work place.