Designing a new office is one of the most exciting parts of growing your business… until you realise how quickly budgets disappear. The good news?

A sharp, functional office doesn’t need a Silicon Valley price tag. With the right approach, smart upholstery choices, and even a bit of second-hand sourcing from surplus companies, you can build a workspace that looks premium and works hard.

Here are 10 ways to fit out and design your new office properly.

1. Start With a Workplace Strategy (Not Guesswork)

Before buying desks at random, map out how people actually work:

• Who needs quiet?
• Who needs collaboration?
• Who lives on Zoom calls?
  This determines your layout, zones, and how much furniture you actually need.

2. Choose a Flexible, Open Layout

Rigid layouts date fast. A flexible design:

• Lets you rearrange teams
• Saves money long-term
• Makes scaling easier
• Think modular furniture, movable partitions, and breakout spaces.

3. Use Upholstery and Fabrics to Add Warmth (Without Going Full Pinterest)

A lot of offices look cold because everything is metal, plastic, and grey.
High-quality upholstery, fabrics, and soft finishes immediately make your office feel more premium – check out Agua Fabrics for a custom touch.

• Upholstered meeting pods
• Fabric privacy panels
• Soft seating in waiting areas
• Acoustic fabric wall panels

They’re also top-tier for sound control in busy spaces.

4. Mix Brand Colours Into the Design Subtly

No one wants to work inside a giant logo, but subtle accents work beautifully:

• Upholstered chairs in brand colours
• Accent walls
• Fabric textures that hint at your brand style
• Custom cushions for breakout spaces

It’s branding without shouting.

5. Don’t Sleep on Second-Hand Furnishings

Surplus and industrial supply companies often sell high-quality used office furniture at a fraction of the cost:

• Desks
• Chairs
• Filing cabinets
• Storage
• Boardroom tables

You can sometimes get £1,000 chairs for £150 because a corporate HQ upgraded early. Bonus: it’s sustainable, budget-friendly, and eco-good-guy approved.

6. Invest Properly in Ergonomic Chairs

Everything else can be cheap. Chairs can’t.
Ergonomic seating gives:

• Better posture
• Fewer sick days
• Better productivity
  You can even find ergonomic chairs through surplus dealers — a smart workaround if you’re budgeting.

7. Create Different Zones for Different Workstyles

A good office is a mix of:

• Quiet zones
• Collaboration areas
• Private meeting rooms
• Social/breakout spaces
• Phone booths
  Design for how your team actually works, not just what looks nice on a moodboard.

8. Prioritise Natural Light and Task Lighting

Natural light boosts mood and productivity, so arrange desks accordingly.
Then layer in:

• Task lamps
• Soft ambient lighting
• LED strips behind shelves or reception counters
  Good lighting can make even second-hand furniture look expensive.

9. Add Plants, Textures, and Soft Touches

Biophilic design (plants + texture) makes an office feel human.
Combine:

• Upholstered booths
• Textured rugs
• Fabric room dividers
• Real or faux greenery

It instantly stops the space from feeling like a call centre from 2003.

10. Build a Function-First Reception Area

Your reception is the first impression—make it count:

• A clean, upholstered sofa
• A simple desk (surplus companies often have great finds)
• Strong lighting
• A feature wall or fabric-lined acoustic panel
  It’s the handshake before the handshake.

Wrapping Up

A great office fit-out doesn’t need to cost the earth. With smart planning, good use of fabrics and upholstery, and strategic second-hand buying from surplus companies, you can build a workspace that looks premium, feels comfortable, and actually works for your team and will help you grow into 2026.

Read more:
10 Smart Ways to Fit Out and Design Your New Office (Without Wasting a Penny)