Offices

Breakout Area Renovation Planning for Offices

Survey existing services and finishes before committing to a demolition or reuse plan. Identify what can stay and where hidden work may surface.

Explore the ideas
Two lounge chairs and a sofa arranged around a shared coffee table
Gathering inspiration: varied seats oriented toward a shared center.

Walkthrough checklist

  1. Record existing walls, openings, services and damage, then verify uncertain items with the appropriate trade.
  2. Separate required repairs from optional replacements so quotes show where the budget goes.
  3. Agree which access, isolation, removal and protection steps are needed before work starts.
Worked example

Removing a partition between dining and living rooms may expose old flooring and leave switches on a wall that disappears.

Survey floor continuity, wall construction, and electrical routes before fixing the new layout. Mark retained finishes and ask the relevant trades to price repair and service changes separately.

How to test it

Walk through the marked-up plan with the installer and record conditions that would change scope or cost.

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
Entry corridor opening toward a dining area with a glass-front cabinet
Arrival inspiration: keep the route into a shared dining space legible.

The Elixir portfolio

Details worth a closer look

Photographs for design inspiration
Dining area with a six-seat table and pendant light
Dining inspiration: a central table beneath focused pendant lighting.
Open dining and living area separated by a wood partition
Shared-space inspiration: distinguish dining and lounge zones with a light divider.

Related design guides

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