From Desk to Domestic: How Offices Are Borrowing the Best of Home Design

As hybrid working becomes standard across Ireland and beyond, offices are undergoing a quiet revolution. No longer just a place to sit at a desk from 9 to 5, workplaces are now being reimagined as spaces that inspire, comfort, and connect. This movement, often called Resimercial design, blends the warmth and familiarity of home with the efficiency and function of a commercial space. The result? Offices that feel human, practical, and inviting, a “home away from home”.

Why the Home-Like Office Matters

The shift to Resimercial offices reflects how employees’ expectations have changed. After years of working from home, many people value comfort, flexibility, and a sense of belonging over rigid structures and corporate formality. Businesses have responded by redesigning workspaces to feel more residential, introducing soft textures, natural materials, flexible layouts, and spaces for informal interaction.

This is more than just style. Experts note that well-designed offices improve wellbeing, engagement, and productivity. A workspace that feels welcoming reduces stress, encourages collaboration, and increases the time employees want to spend in the office. It also strengthens company culture by creating spaces where teams can connect naturally.

Core Elements of Resimercial Design

A successful home-inspired office goes beyond furniture selection. Here are key elements that define the trend:

• Comfortable, lounge-style furniture: Sofas, armchairs, ottomans, and soft rugs turn breakout areas into inviting spaces for casual meetings or quiet focus.
• Warm, layered lighting: Table lamps, pendant lights, and soft ambient lighting replace harsh fluorescents, creating a relaxed atmosphere.
• Natural materials and textures: Wood, leather, stone, and textiles give spaces a tactile, homely feel while adding warmth and character.
• Greenery and biophilic design: Indoor plants and living walls improve air quality, reduce stress, and provide a psychological connection to nature.
• Flexible zoning: Offices now mix open-plan collaboration areas with private nooks, acoustic pods, and cosy corners — allowing employees to work how and where they perform best.

These elements work together to create an office environment that feels personal, inviting, and adaptable — a contrast to the cold, standardised designs of the past.

The Office Kitchen: A Key Hub

One of the most impactful areas to incorporate home-style touches is the office kitchen. In a resimercial office, the kitchen is more than a functional space; it becomes a social hub and a place for brief respites from work. Just as at home, the kitchen encourages connection and informal conversation, boosting morale and creativity.

This is where our products shine. Multi-functional taps combine design and utility, providing filtered cold water, boiling water, and standard hot/cold water from a single fixture. They help create sleek, uncluttered kitchens that look as good as they feel.

Featured products for office kitchens:

• Quanta 4-in-1 Swan-Neck Tap (Gun-Metal Black): Provides instant boiling water, filtered chilled water, and standard hot/cold, perfect for busy office kitchens.
• Revisita 3-in-1 Tap: A simple, stylish option delivering hot, cold, and 98°C filtered boiling water. Ideal for smaller kitchens or minimalist designs.

These taps reduce clutter by replacing kettles and bottled water dispensers, supporting a cleaner, more residential feel.

Supporting Wellbeing Through Design

Resimercial offices aren’t just about appearance, they’re about supporting employee wellbeing. Research shows that natural materials, soft lighting, and flexible work areas reduce stress, increase comfort, and promote engagement. Staff can choose where and how they work, whether collaborating in a lounge, focusing in a quiet pod, or taking a short break in the kitchen.

Additionally, providing easy access to high-quality water supports health and productivity. A multi-function tap in the office kitchen encourages hydration, reduces queuing, and makes it effortless for employees to enjoy hot drinks or refill bottles throughout the day. Small touches like this contribute significantly to a positive, human-centred workspace.

Hybrid Work and Flexible Spaces

Hybrid work has made flexibility essential. Offices now need to accommodate employees who are in the building only part of the week while ensuring the space feels alive and functional when teams come together. Resimercial design supports this:

• Modular furniture allows quick reconfiguration for meetings, workshops, or quiet focus zones.
• Breakout areas can double as social hubs or informal collaboration spaces.
• Kitchens and dining areas become destinations for connection rather than simply functional spaces.

By integrating comfort and adaptability, offices can ensure every visit feels worthwhile.

The Strategic Advantage

Companies investing in home-inspired office design gain a competitive edge. Spaces that feel welcoming and well-designed improve staff retention, boost morale, and help attract talent. They also foster stronger collaboration and creativity, which drives better business outcomes. In other words, Resimercial design benefits both employees and the bottom line.

Practical Tips for a Resimercial Office

1. Blend aesthetics and function: Choose furniture, lighting, and finishes that look homey but support office productivity.
2. Prioritise social spaces: Kitchens, lounges, and dining areas should encourage informal interaction.
3. Incorporate greenery and natural textures: Plants and wood finishes create warmth and improve wellbeing.
4. Invest in smart, stylish kitchen taps: Multi-function taps from HotWaterTaps.ie reduce clutter while enhancing convenience and design appeal.
5. Provide flexible zones: Mix open and private spaces so employees can choose their ideal working environment.
   

From Desk to Domestic

The modern office is no longer a place people reluctantly visit, it’s becoming a destination, designed to support comfort, creativity, and collaboration. By blending home-like touches with practical work functionality, offices are creating environments that feel welcoming, human, and productive.

And when the office kitchen features high-quality, stylish taps, even the simplest daily routines, making tea, filling a bottle, or enjoying a hot drink, contribute to a more enjoyable, home-inspired workday.