When clients or partners step into an office, they experience more than a workspace; they’re stepping into your company’s culture. Every corner tells a story about how you operate and what you value, down to the last tissue box.
At Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton (KTS), the communal break room wasn’t telling the right story. Dark, dated, and cafeteria-like, it clashed with the firm’s sophisticated image and offered little comfort for employees or guests who may be passing through. Because this space doubled as a refreshment area for clients and a hub for in-office events, its gloomy atmosphere was weaving the wrong story for both employees and patrons of the office.
TEW Design Studio was brought in to reimagine the space, demonstrating how thoughtful design goes beyond aesthetics to support the overall well-being, productivity, and culture of your company’s community.
Void of natural light, the room felt heavy and fatigued. According to Harvard Business Review, 47% of employees report tiredness from poor lighting, and 43% feel gloomier because of it.
To change that, we replaced dim overhead fixtures with a mixture of light fixtures with varied light dispersion to brighten the room from every angle. A light, neutral palette and reflective surfaces help bounce illumination throughout the room, mimicking the soft warmth of natural daylight. The result is a room that feels open, energizing, and inviting.
Good lighting is more than a visual upgrade; it shapes how people connect and perform. By layering warmth and brightness, the space now supports collaboration, boosts focus, and makes everyday moments feel more uplifting. Whether employees are gathering for a quick brainstorm or taking a quiet break, the environment encourages clarity and calm instead of fatigue.
The original booth seating, black cabinetry, and dull pendants made the break room feel disconnected from the rest of the law firm and from itself. We replaced harsh finishes with dual-tone cabinetry, warm wood accents above, and a soft charcoal tone below, to draw the eye upward and create a sense of airiness. Modern, clustered seating encourages conversation while keeping the layout flexible. What was once a utilitarian lunch spot now feels intentional, comfortable, and aligned with the firm’s professional atmosphere.
Communal areas work best when they serve multiple purposes. At KTS, the redesigned break room now supports everything from morning coffee chats to small gatherings. Open layouts and moveable seating promote collaboration and ease, while sound-dampening panels minimize noise from the office beyond. Soft background music completes the transformation, helping employees disconnect, recharge, and return to work refreshed.
Nature-inspired design reduces stress and boosts creativity. For KTS, we incorporated greenery, natural tweed upholstery, and marble-like surfaces with organic movement. An Interior Design study shows that offices with plants can increase wellbeing by 15%, productivity by 6% and creativity by 15% or more. These organic materials and textures ground the room and add a touch of calm energy, transforming the corporate into something human and restorative.
Comfort directly impacts engagement. We chose seating that supports posture and encourages longer, more enjoyable breaks, and rearranged the layout to improve circulation throughout. The result is effortless movement and less congestion, reducing micro-stresses that accumulate during the day.
According to Gallup, organizations with high employee engagement report 23% greater profitability, proof that design influences performance as much as aesthetics. By improving comfort and usability, TEW helped KTS create an environment that supports focus and fosters pride in place.
The KTS transformation highlights an important truth: workplace design shapes how people feel, connect, and perform. By layering warmth, texture, light, and function, TEW Design Studio created a break room that reflects the professionalism of the firm and enhances the well-being of those who use it.
At TEW Design Studio, we help businesses reimagine their workplaces into environments that inspire focus, comfort, and connection, proving that when a space supports its people, success naturally follows.
Let’s talk about how we can transform your space to better meet your needs. It all starts with a 15-minute Discovery Call so we can understand your design needs.
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