Offices

Breakout Area Colour Palette for Offices

Choose colour against the surfaces that will stay. Test it on a large sample at the room's brightest and darkest points.

Explore the ideas
Open dining and living area separated by a wood partition
Shared-space inspiration: distinguish dining and lounge zones with a light divider.

Compare the options

Set the brief
Collect samples of permanent finishes, upholstery and hardware before picking a paint or laminate.
Compare
Assign a background colour, one wayfinding or feature colour, and contrast where people need to distinguish edges.
Before buying
Check painted or laminated samples vertically beside the same light source the finished room will use.
Worked example

A living room has a patterned rug, colorful art, and an existing wood floor that all need to remain.

Use the rug and floor as fixed samples; select a restrained wall field and draw one accent from the artwork. View large samples beside each element in both daylight and evening light.

How to test it

Compare the samples in daylight and artificial light, and check that handles and door edges remain easy to distinguish.

Apply it to this space
Layout
Place soft seating near team areas but buffer it from focus desks with storage or a change in flooring.
Detail
Combine wipeable tables with comfortable upholstery and a separate local light switch.
Trade-off
A central lounge is easy to reach but spreads conversation noise widely.
  • Listen from the nearest desk
  • Check that furniture leaves a direct route through
Two lounge chairs and a sofa arranged around a shared coffee table
Gathering inspiration: varied seats oriented toward a shared center.

The Elixir portfolio

Details worth a closer look

Photographs for design inspiration
Entry corridor opening toward a dining area with a glass-front cabinet
Arrival inspiration: keep the route into a shared dining space legible.
Dining area with a six-seat table and pendant light
Dining inspiration: a central table beneath focused pendant lighting.

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