How we are helping businesses redefine their workspaces in 2026

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What is the Focus of Office Design in 2026?

As technology, markets and employee expectations continue to change, workplaces must evolve to remain relevant. The modern workplace is currently experiencing one of the most significant transformations, the office of today is no longer simply a place to work; it has become a strategic asset that support culture, collaboration, wellbeing and brand identity.

The direction points in one clear direction: workspaces that feel far more human, comfortable and connected.

Sustainability remains a major driver, but the biggest evolution is the rise of resimercial design , the blending of residential comfort with commercial durability and function. As hybrid working continues to trend, companies must learn to recognise that offices must do more than provide workspaces that go beyond task-based work – they must offer an experience that employees want to return to.

How Can Proici Help?

With over 28 years of experience delivering commercial interior design, fit out, and refurbishment projects nationwide, Proici Commercial Interiors are already seeing and helping business adapt to the requirements that will define the workplace in 2026.

Why Human-centric Office Design is Set to Grow in 2026.

Employees increasingly expect workplaces that feel warm, comfortable and welcoming, rather than overly corporate. At the same time, businesses are looking for environments that boost productivity, support wellbeing and help retain talent.

At Proici we have been at the forefront of this shift, designing work environments that prioritise wellbeing, flexibility and culture. Our nationwide projects have had an increasing focus on adaptable spaces, holistic wellbeing and branded environments. The result is workspaces that people genuinely want to return to – spaces which strengthen culture and improve team performance.

Furnishing & Layouts: Comfort, Flexibility and Performance

Traditional office layouts are giving way to more flexible zones design for casual collaboration and breakout spaces. Upholstered seating, lounge settings and coffee tables are becoming central features, transforming everyday interactions into natural opportunity for culture growth and idea sharing.

Bespoke joinery is quickly becoming commonplace within working environments, from custom biophilic feature walls with brand-led signage to agile seating furniture that help communicate brand identity.

Another major shift is the decline of fixed desks. Agile working environment allows employees to choose where they want to work, from focus pods, collaboration tables and meeting booths, through to social lounges and breakout spaces. This not only improves the employee experience but ensures efficient use of space across the entire office footprint.

Materials and Finishes

Offices in 2025 saw the move towards warmer, more tactile materials such as natural wood, rattan details, soft upholstery and texture fabrics replacing industrial, “magnolia” finishes. These elements remain prominent in 2026 to create spaces that feel more grounded and welcoming.

Soft colour palettes are set to continue to help create wellbeing spaces – muted greens, warn neutrals and deep earth tones combine with organic textures to create sophistication and visual comfort.

Biophilia (Biophilic)

Biophilia continues to grow as a defining element of office design in 2026. Living moss walls, large planters and even small water features are being used to create a restorative atmosphere. Research has consistently shown that biophilic elements help reduce stress, improve cognitive functions and provide a form of non-repetitive visual stimuli within the workspace.

Find out more about how biophilia can improve wellbeing in your workspace here: Biophilic Design

Environmental control: Lighting, Acoustics and Air Quality

Environmental comfort has always been a core element of modern workplace design. Offices in 2026 have a keen focus on optimal light, sound and air quality to further support employee wellbeing and performance.

Maximising the spread of natural light remains a priority, but where this is not possible, tuneable LED lighting is being used to emulate the movement of natural daylight throughout the day. Lighting brightness and hue play a large role in how a space is perceived, with warmer tones giving a feeling of comfort whilst white provide the perception of surgical cleanliness.

Acoustics continue to be the go-to for controlling sound pollution within open-plan environments. From acoustic panelling and sound absorbing materials to quiet focus rooms and open meeting spaces. Future focused business are recognising the importance of protecting concentration without compromising collaboration and agile aesthetics.

AC and ventilation have always been a key component in office design. With the advancement in air filtration technology and smart environment controls bringing comfort at more affordable budgets, more businesses are able to provide healthier, more comfortable workspace for employees.

Hospitality-Inspired Amenities

Tea-points have grown in popularity over the last decade, with café-style breakout area and social hubs becoming the norm for most growing businesses. These not only provide a space for employees to prepare meals or hot drinks, but also encourage social connection and provide a meaningful break away from the desk.

Many wellbeing spaces are also on the rise, with companies investing in dedicated on-site gyms, meditation rooms and booths, quiet zones and even washrooms are receiving attention, with more business adopting residential-style finishes and hotel-inspired layouts that elevate the overall experience.

Why These Growing Trends Matter for UK Businesses in 2026

These workplace trends are not about making offices more informal – they are about designing environments that simultaneously support people and performance growth seamlessly. Businesses that adopt this human-focused approach can benefit from:

• Greater talent attraction and retention
• Increased employee engagement and collaboration
• Higher utilisation of available office space
• A stronger, more recognisable brand identity.

Looking to adapt your space in 2026?

If you’re planning an office design, refurbishment or complete commercial fit out project anywhere in the UK, Proici Commercial interiors can help you create a workspace that supports your people, reflects your brand and enhances your operational goals.

Our experienced in-house teams deliver nationwide, providing a comprehensive service from survey and design through to full turnkey competition.

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What is a feature wall and is it right for you?

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What is an Office Feature Wall?

A commercial feature wall refers to a wall or partition within the office space that is intentionally designed to stand out and make a visual impact.

Also known as an accent wall, this typically blank surface is often treated with paint, graphics, cladding or biophilic elements to create a focal point within your space.

Why have a Feature Wall in your Office?

One question often asked is; are feature walls worth the investment? The answer is often yes, and here is why. A feature wall can be used to make a statement and can become the cornerstone of your space, setting the tone and design direction of the entire space.

A feature wall can serve as a powerful branding tool, showcasing your company logo, values and personality through a smart use of graphics and finishes. This helps to reinforce your brand identity and helps communicate your values to our clients, foresting a sense of loyalty and longevity.

Accent walls also have the benefit of having functional attributes, such as providing acoustic suppression through the careful use of acoustic panels, provide a place to congregate and brainstorm by incorporating whites boards or even offering an AV solution for presentation or breakout purposes.

Biophilic Feature Wall – Bringing the Outdoors Indoors

Biophilic feature walls can be built from a plethora of materials, including petrified moss and bark, to bring a natural element into the workspace. This provides non-rhythmic sensory stimuli feature to your space; a natural break for the eyes deviates from the usual visual experience.

Biophilia ties closely with human’s natural connection with nature, which can improve the wellbeing of employees and create a calming atmosphere for clients.

Learn more about biophilic design in the workspace.

Simplicity

Accent walls are more than fancy finishes, acoustic panels and cladding; they can be a single painted colour or patterns that differentiates the location from the rest of the workspace. This works as a minimalist focal point which still functions to break the space apart and enhance visual stimuli.

Simplistic feature walls also offer the benefit of being able to be placed in multiple locations without being overbearing, allowing the incorporation of floor numbers or location labels within their design to aid in navigation.

Employee Wellbeing

Creating a visually engaging workplace has been shown to positively impact employee satisfaction and engagement within the workplace. This can make employees feel more motivated and connected to the company when working in an environment that shies away from the typical CAT A, magnolia environment which may tire the senses and negatively impact productivity.

Hybrid working has quickly become commonplace in the workspace, with many employees requesting to work partially from home. It has been shown that the visual impact of the workplace plays a large role in the retention of employees. The aim is to try to make employees feel compelled to come to the office and enjoy their time there.

Feature Wall Considerations

Which wall should you make your feature wall? Should you have multiple feature walls? What are the Cost of a feature wall?

Choosing the Right Wall

The point of a feature wall is to grab the attention of the onlooker and create a great first impression which is especially important with clients. To achieve this, we typically choose a wall that both centres your main space and makes use of your architectural features.

If clients frequent your site, we would recommend putting your feature wall display close to your entrance, this will allow you display your brand and create an brand presence from the onset, which will set the tone for the meeting ahead.

However, if your business rarely hosts client, we might suggest your feature wall be situated within the busiest workspace with your commercial office to provide visual stimuli for employees, and as previously stated, aim to improve employee wellbeing.

Can I have Multiple Feature Walls?

Feature walls need not be a singular structure, many businesses choose to have a forward facing feature wall within the reception space, providing immediate brand identity from the onset, whilst a less branded but more practical feature wall is situated within the workspace itself.

What is the Cost of a Feature Wall?

While there is an initial cost associates with creating a feature wall, the long-term benefits such as improving brand awareness, improving the visual appearance of your office and improving employee satisfaction can make it a worthwhile investment for any business.

The actual cost will vary from project to project, being dependant on a number of factors such as materials and finishes, practical elements, acoustics, branding display, LEDs and much more.

Get in Touch

If you’re still on the fence about whether a feature wall is worth your investment, why not give a call today to learn more about the benefits they can bring or what you can achieve with your desired budget. Our team is ready to provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision and can her you manage you budget as part of a full fit out or refurbishment package.

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What is a Breakout Space and Why Should You Have One?

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What is an Office Breakout Area?

An office breakout room is a space designed within your workplace to provide employees with a change of environment from their regular workstations. It serves as a space where employees can take a break, engage in informal discussions, collaborate on projects or simply work in a more relaxed setting.

Breakout spaces are intended to promote creativity, help nurture workplace culture and provide a place for employees to recharge and rejuvenate, ultimately contributing to improved productivity and well-being.

What Should I Include in Our Breakout Area?

Office breakout rooms and spaces, from comfortable seating through to casual dining areas and games rooms, all with the aim to provide employees with a comfortable environment to wind down during a long work day.

Comfortable Seating
Providing a mix of soft seating options, including comfortable sofas and beanbags encourages employees to engage in informal discussions and brainstorming sessions.

Natural Elements:
Incorporating biophilic and natural elements via indoor plants, natural lighting, organic finishes and moss feature panels can create a soothing and productive atmosphere.

Technology Integration:
Equipping your breakout space with technology such as TVs and projectors can offer a way to relax whilst also being able to facilitate informal presentations and collaborative analysis of on-going works.

A Private Space:
Including private, enclosed spaces can provide individuals or small teams with a space away from their desks to focus on their work without distractions, or a place for an individual to have some time alone when feeling overwhelmed, further improving their wellbeing.

Inspiring Art and Features:
Motivational quotes and artwork in your breakout space can significantly impact the atmosphere of the space, while being able to stimulate creativity and boost productive thinking.

Benefits of an Office Breakout Area?

Incorporating well-thought-out breakout spaces in an office layout can contribute to a more dynamic, efficient, and innovative workplace, ultimately benefiting both employees and the organization as a whole.

Offering comfortable and appealing breakout areas shows that the organisation values its employees’ comfort and work experience. This small inclusion can result in increased staff engagement, productivity and retention.

Agile working is common place for the modern office, with many employees preferring to have a combination of days working in the office and days working from the comfort of their home. A breakout space can be a unique incentive for employees to work in the office, allowing them to not be confined to the standard desk space.

Free Consultation from the Interior Experts

Are you ready to add a breakout area to your office? Get in touch today for a completely free consultation where we can discuss your unique requirements, learn about your workforce and help you to design the perfect breakout space for your business.

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What is High Pressure Laminate and Where is it used?

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What is High Pressure Laminate?

What is a High-Pressure Laminate? High Pressure Laminate is a medium-thick decorative panel with a protective finish that is designed to withstand daily use.

HPL is suitable for a wide range of commercial applications, from office wall dividers and table tops to retail changing room partitions.

The panel has two decorative laminate sides that can be tailored to match company branding or to seamlessly blend in with its environment.

How is High Pressure Laminate Made?

High pressure laminate is a panel of varying thicknesses built from multiple layers of kraft paper and thermosetting resins which are subjected to intense heat and pressure to create a non-porous surface that is use in hundreds of our projects.

Is High Pressure Laminate Waterproof?

HPL is a none-porous panel which enables to be highly water resistant, making it an ideal solution for tea-points, office and restaurant washrooms. High Pressure Laminate is not suited for regularly wet or moist environments such as shower cubicles and swimming centres where the environments is constantly humid.

Because it is entirely immune to water and fluids, Solid Grade Laminate is an excellent choice for wet environments.

What colour is High pressure Laminate?

High Pressure Laminate is highly customizable, with a variety of finishes that may be applied to the decorative front faces during the pressing process.

This enables the laminate to take on any colour or finish to suit your requirements, including brand colours, wood finishes, and the ability to be bonded with digital prints.

In contrast to SGL, the edging can be customised to match your colour scheme.

Where to use High Pressure Laminate?

The durability and decorative faces of HPL allow it to be implemented in a variety of applications and commercial environments.

Offices

When it comes to the office area, HPL has a wide range of applications. We have installed HPL as space dividers, wood finish table tops and tea-point surface tops, giving the space a bespoke premium feel.

HPL can also be utilised to create additional facilities such as locker rooms and private breakout areas.

Restaurants

HPL is perfect for restaurant washrooms and tea points since these areas are frequently prone to water damage, particularly around toilet cubicle and sink enclosures. HPL Bonded boards can also be utilised as kitchen worktops and even table tops where the water resistance is advantageous.

Retail / Shopping Spaces

Due to their exceptional durability, High-Pressure Laminate Panels are an excellent choice for changing room cubicles where significant pedestrian traffic is expected. They can also be utilised as robust, scratch-resistant counter tops.

Schools

HPL offers high impact and water resistance, making it an excellent choice for school toilets and non-shower changing facilities.

The option to bond artwork to the side face can also provide an additional flair to bathroom facilities while removing the “blank canvas” aesthetic, which has been shown to reduce the desire for children to vandalise.

Vandalism

If vandalism is a concern in the facility, we recommend SGL. Although it is more expensive, it is much easier to clean, more resilient, and completely water resistant, allowing it to be thoroughly cleaned.

Get in Touch

Here at Proici we help businesses make the most out of their property with optimal space planning, purpose focused furniture and affordable fit out services.

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What is Solid Grade Laminate and Where is it used?

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Overview of Solid Grade Laminate (SGL)

Solid (compact) grade laminate is a thick waterproof panel built for intensive, high traffic spaces due to its durability and rigidity.

SGL is generally used in washrooms or sanitary areas due to its water resistance and ability to sustain in humid environments, however it can also be used in a variety of commercial applications.

Solid grade laminate is considered self-supporting and therefore can be used more freely as toilet cubicle partition panels or dividers.

How is Solid Grade Laminate made?

SGL is a thick high-pressure laminate manufactured by compressing layers of Kraft paper and thermosetting resin and merging them under great heat and pressure. This transforms the resin into a strong binding plastic and the paper into a single sturdy, water-resistant sheet.

What colour is Compact Grade Laminate?

SGL has a black core finish and typically has two decorative front facing sides. These can be coloured to meet your specific needs or infused (embedded) with artwork to produce a bespoke aesthetic that is durable and long lasting – even in a public venue.

We can offer graphic designs to suit any office, retail or learning interior as part of our fit out and refurbishment packages.

Protection against vandalism

This unqiue construction is exceptionally impact resistant and easy to clean thanks to its waterproof qualities. This makes it an excellent choice for public restrooms in retail, public, or school settings, which are more prone to vandalism.

Solid Grade Laminate vs High Pressure Laminate

HPL, or high-pressure laminate, is constructed in the same way as SGL, with phenolic resin kraft paper heated and pressurised at 5-10Mpa. The difference is in laminate thickness, with SGL having a thickness of more than 2mm and HPL having a thickness of only 0.7mm.

While High Pressure Laminates are still very robust and water resistant, they are not suitable for persistently damp environments and are not considered “self-supporting,” making them unsuitable for extremely heavy usage.

Where to use Solid Grade Laminate

Because Solid Grade Laminate has two decorative sides, it can be used in a wide variety of applications and environments.

Restaurants / Public Spaces

We have installed Solid grade laminate in a large range of public spaces, including restaurants washrooms and library toilets.

Water damage is common in these facilities, particularly in toilet cubicles and sink locations. SGL’s waterproof properties make it perfect for these locations, providing consistent splashback protection.

SGL is an exceptional solution for disabled facilities where there is a higher risk of water exposure.

Schools

Solid grade laminate provides increased impact resistance and moisture resistance, making it excellent for environments with children. SGL may also display an attractive design or vibrant colour on its two main sides, which has been demonstrated to deter child vandalism while diminishing the “blank canvas” attractiveness of a blank wall.

Retail / Shopping Spaces

Retail areas are subject to high volume of traffic, which increases the risk of vandalism in addition to the regular water damage. Solid grade laminate is perfect for the longevity of cubicles where heavy foot traffic is expected due to its resilience and ease of cleaning.

Gyms

Solid grade laminate is the perfect solution for gym washrooms and lavatories, providing the perfect waterproof solution for dividing shower cubicles, sink surrounds, open locker rooms and toilet facilities. Easy to wipe down, SGL is perfect for use throughout the gym space.

Solid Grade Laminate in the Office?

When it comes to the office space, we would typically not recommend solid grade laminate over high pressure laminate as the additional benefits are not usually required.

We seek the most cost-effective solution for each project, and aside from use in high-traffic toilet or washroom facilities, we would propose high pressure laminate or Melamine Faced Chipboard (MFC), which we install on a regular basis.

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