Designing an Office That Feels Like Home

As designers, we often think about home - how to make it calm, inspiring, and deeply personal. But lately, we’ve found ourselves asking: what if a workplace could feel that way too?

This project began with a brief that sounded deceptively simple: to design a headteacher’s office. But the goal was far from ordinary.

Our client wanted a space that didn’t feel like a traditional headteacher’s office - no imposing desk, no cold colour schemes, and no sense of formality or hierarchy. Instead, she wanted a room that was welcoming, comfortable, and human - somewhere she could greet parents, meet students, and also retreat for a quiet moment during a busy day.

Creating a Calm Office Through Colour and Comfort

We started with a question we often ask in our residential projects: how should this space make you feel? For this office, the answer was clear - safe, calm, and grounded.

We used a warm pinky-earth tone on the walls, chosen for its nurturing quality. It’s a shade that softens the room, creating a feeling of safety and approachability - an ideal backdrop for open, positive conversation.

Rather than standard office furniture, we sourced timeless, tactile pieces that aligned with our client’s taste - classic shapes, warm woods, and fabrics that feel good to touch.

Functionality, Flow and Thoughtful Details

A space only truly works when it’s tailored to its purpose. So, we took time to understand how the office needed to function - from daily meetings with teachers and parents to moments of solitude between lessons.

We developed a zoning plan that ensured a natural flow between desk work, informal meetings, and private reflection. Storage was designed to be both practical and discreet, incorporating a touch of bespoke joinery that kept the budget realistic without compromising quality.

One of the most meaningful touches was framing artwork created by the school’s students, which we displayed across the walls. This instantly shifted the mood - making the space feel personal and familiar while showing pride in the school community. It became a conversation starter, a confidence-builder, and a source of joy for both the headteacher and the pupils who visit her.

A Warm Welcome, Every Day

When we handed over the finished space, our client was thrilled. The office had become more than a place to work - it was a space to connect, inspire and recharge. She said, "“Working with Leo and her team was an absolute joy. She listened carefully to the many

requirements of the room and took on board my personal preferences to create a space that just works in ways unexpected and delightful.”

It’s proof that professional environments don’t have to feel impersonal or intimidating. With a few thoughtful decisions - from paint colour to furniture layout - an office can become somewhere you actually want to spend time.

Designing Workspaces That Work for You

If your office or workspace feels uninspiring, the solution might be simpler than you think. Sometimes it’s as easy as adding warmth through colour, art or natural textures. And sometimes it takes a deeper rethink, one that combines comfort, functionality, and design intention.

If that sounds like what you need, let’s have a chat. We’d love to help you reimagine your workspace - whether it’s a single room or a full-scale renovation.