Top 10 Lessons I’ve Learned Designing Commercial Offices: A 2026 Guide for Arizona Businesses
By Mackenzie Collier Interiors — Commercial Interior Designer in Phoenix, Arizona
Designing a commercial office space that truly works for your team is more complex than choosing paint colors or updating furniture. After 14 years designing commercial offices in Phoenix and across the United States, I’ve learned that successful workplaces blend strategy, psychology, flexibility, and long-term planning.
Our team at Mackenzie Collier Interiors has designed everything from corporate headquarters (Lemonade Insurance’s Scottsdale office) to coworking spaces (The McKinley Club) and breweries, tech offices, and retailer headquarters. These are the top lessons that matter most for businesses planning a 2026 office remodel.
Sit/stand desks are fantastic for enhancing workplace wellness.
Lesson 1: Design for Flexibility — Because the Workplace Will Keep Changing
When the world shifted to work-from-home in 2020, many offices we previously designed adapted seamlessly because their layouts were already flexible. By 2024, companies were craving hybrid spaces again—and now flexibility is the #1 essential in commercial design.
In 2026, Phoenix businesses need:
• movable furniture that adapts to growth
• multipurpose rooms
• private + open collaboration zones
• tech-ready meeting areas
A flexible workplace protects your investment and supports future growth.
Lesson 2: Never Skimp on the Furniture Your Team Uses Daily
Retail furniture isn’t built for commercial use—office chairs, desks, and upholstery should be commercial-grade and high-durability. Quality furniture reduces turnover, boosts team morale, and saves money long-term.
Your employees spend 8+ hours in these pieces. Invest wisely.
Lesson 3: Natural Light Is a Game-Changer for Productivity
Well-lit seating that happens to be facing a busy street is a perfect spot to take a break and people-watch.
One of the best ROI decisions you can make for your office remodel?
Maximize natural light.
We recommend:
• skylights
• tubular daylighting devices (solar tubes)
• clerestory windows
• floor-to-ceiling windows
According to a Cornell University study, employees working near natural light experience:
• 51% lower eyestrain
• 63% fewer headaches
Healthier employees = fewer sick days and better performance.
Lesson 4: Plan Circulation and Flow Like a City Map
Traffic flow affects everything from focus to efficiency. Clear sightlines, intuitive pathways, and functional zoning improve how your team moves throughout the day.
Good flow reduces interruptions, prevents bottlenecks, and increases productivity.
Everything about this project was meant to enhance communication and collaboration among the team. This custom round sofa does just that.
Lesson 5: Design for Everyone — Inclusive Offices Attract Better Talent
Today’s offices must support real human needs. That includes:
• a private wellness or lactation room
• a prayer room for employees who need it
• quiet sensory-friendly rooms for neurodivergent staff
• gender-inclusive restrooms
Inclusive design isn’t a trend—it’s the future.
Lesson 6: Accessibility Goes Beyond Wheelchairs
Accessibility means supporting all abilities:
• way-finding for low-vision employees
• acoustic treatments for people with hearing sensitivities
• intuitive layouts for neurodivergent team members
• ergonomic workstations
My background in psychology and sensory systems deeply informs our approach to accessibility-driven design.
Integrated roll-up wheelchair seating at the bar at Greenwood Brewing fits right in with the aesthetic.
Lesson 7: Technology Should Support the Space—Not Dominate It
Your office technology must feel seamless:
• integrated power
• hidden cable management
• plug-and-play video conferencing
• sound-treated meeting rooms
The best tech blends into the environment and simply works.
Lesson 8: Choose Materials That Work Harder Than You Do
In high-traffic spaces, durability is essential. We specify materials that last, including:
• stain-resistant commercial fabrics
• antimicrobial surfaces
• scratch-resistant flooring
• long-wear finishes
Your office should look great for years—not months.
When a space is going to be a community hub, it had better include durable materials so it stands the test of time.
Lesson 9: Branding Should Be Felt, Not Forced
At Lemonade Insurance’s corporate headquarters, we designed branding into the experience—not plastered it on every wall.
Great brand design feels effortless, authentic, and atmospheric.
Lesson 10: Future-Proof Your Office for Growth
The best offices grow with their teams.
Plan for:
• future departments
• future headcount
• future technology
• future work models
A future-ready office protects your investment and helps your business stay competitive.
Ready to Design a Commercial Office for 2026?
Mackenzie Collier Interiors specializes in commercial interior design in Phoenix, Arizona, with a focus on modern workplaces, hybrid offices, and employee-centered environments.
If you're planning an office remodel in 2026, we’d love to help. Click here to book a Discovery Call.