Inclusive Design Thinking in Commercial Interiors

By Charalampos Sarafopoulos, Executive Director, πRism Interiors.

Commercial spaces such as offices, co-working hubs, retail outlets, restaurants and hotels are not just functional – they set the scene for daily human interactions. As an interior designer, I take this into account when working on a project, defining success by aesthetics and efficiency, but also on whether the space makes every individual feel included and valued. This is what we mean by ‘inclusive design thinking’, and it is a powerful and transformative approach.

Beyond Aesthetics

For decades, commercial interiors were designed with a narrow user in mind; the ‘standard’ employee. But in today’s world, there is no such thing as standard. Workplaces are multigenerational environments that welcome people with different abilities, cultural backgrounds, and expectations.

Inclusive design thinking pushes us, as designers, to move beyond surface-level beauty and function. It challenges us to ask: Does this space empower people of all abilities, ages, and identities to feel comfortable, safe, and valued?

Why Inclusivity Matters

Commercial interiors must serve a wide spectrum of people at once, each with unique needs and expectations. In workplaces, this might mean creating spaces where younger employees can thrive in collaborative zones while older staff benefit from ergonomic, quiet areas.

Cultural inclusivity is equally important. Thoughtful features like prayer rooms, gender-neutral restrooms, or clear multilingual signage show respect and sensitivity, making diverse users feel valued.

At its core, inclusivity in commercial interiors is about more than accessibility. It is about dignity, equity, and belonging. When spaces are designed to accommodate a range of people and tasks, they become not just functional environments, but human-centered ones that foster comfort, loyalty, and connection.

Inclusive Design in Practice

When we began the process of designing our new offices, we wanted to take a truly inclusive approach, and so we asked each team to nominate a member to work with us on the “office re-design team”. Seven team members were tasked with speaking with the rest of their teams to gather and compile their feedback. Through this process, we were able to get all kinds of information that we might otherwise have missed: storage space requirements; whether phones and PABX systems were helpful or not; where people eat; chair comfort… The list goes on; my point is that in bringing all this information to bear on our design brief, we were able to create a space that responded to the team’s needs as much as possible. Inclusive design thinking enriched the design process for us, allowing us to:

• Empathize: Spend time understanding the diverse needs of the people who will use the space. For an office, this may include younger staff who prefer collaborative zones, older employees who need ergonomic seating, and neurodiverse individuals who benefit from quiet pods.
  
  
• Define: Frame challenges in terms of barriers. For example: How might we design a reception area that feels welcoming for both guests/visitors and team members?
  
  
• Ideate: Bring multidisciplinary perspectives, for example consult architects, furniture designers, facility managers, HR teams, and even end-users for ideas.

• Prototype: Create mock-ups of installations such as workstations, retail displays, or check-in counters that can be tested with different user groups.
  
  
• Test: Measure success by evaluating aesthetics, operational efficiency and inclusivity.
  
  

Benefits and Challenges

Office interiors profoundly shape how employees feel and perform. From my experience, inclusive workplaces foster loyalty and morale. Employees who feel supported by their environment, whether through ergonomic furniture, flexible work zones or accessible meeting rooms, are more engaged, productive, and motivated to remain at a company.

However, designing inclusively is not without challenges. Budgets can be tight, timelines demanding, and clients sometimes prioritize aesthetics or branding over inclusivity. But as designers, we hold the responsibility to advocate. We are not just decorators; we are shapers of human experience.

In the many projects that I’ve worked on, I’ve learned that inclusivity often leads to creative breakthroughs. The no-man’s land at the top of the stairs was a real challenge for us during the design process. It had served as a barren waiting area for guests, and an informal divider between two divisions within Al Shirawi. It was a suggestion from a team member that led us to turn that dead space into a coffee bar and breakout area for everyone, including guests. These days, some of the team’s best ideas and concepts come to life in the coffee bar. A design decision made for inclusivity can spark a change in culture. What may seem like an additional cost often pays off in long-term usability and satisfaction.

Looking Ahead

The future of commercial interiors is fluid and dynamic. Hybrid work, smart buildings, and globalized commerce demand spaces that are not only functional and stylish but also adaptable to diverse users. Technologies like voice-activated systems, adjustable lighting apps, and AI-driven spatial analytics can further enhance inclusivity. Yet technology cannot replace empathy.

As designers, our role is to weave inclusivity into every layer of the interior, from circulation planning to furniture details, so that commercial spaces become not just places to transact or work, but places where everyone belongs.

Inclusive design thinking in commercial interiors allows us to create environments that are accessible, flexible, culturally sensitive, and emotionally resonant. By embracing inclusivity, we elevate commercial interiors from functional workplaces or retail destinations to human-centered spaces that empower all who enter.