Room for More: Cheltenham Boardroom Fit Out

The Brief

Our client had one boardroom that was central to every department. It was the one space the team could rely on for internal collaboration, client meetings and everything in between. Like many of the businesses we work with, however, demand quickly outstripped supply. The room was constantly booked, leaving teams to juggle calendars, squeeze in conversations and make do with a room that just wasn’t keeping pace with their needs.

The room itself wasn’t helping. Tucked away in the corner of the workplace with minimal natural light, it felt flat and uninspiring – hardly the ideal backdrop for big ideas or an impressive setting for clients. Functional, yes. But not the kind of space that energises a team or reinforces the brand it represents.

The Solution

Boardrooms are where ideas are pitched, deals are won and teams come together. The heartbeat of a growing business.

Our meeting room designer worked closely with the client to deliver a solution unique to their needs, ensuring the rest of the workplace continued running with minimal disruption. Every decision focused on maximising impact in a modest footprint.

Sound Thinking

Easily one of the most important factors in a meeting room is acoustics. Poor sound quality can very easily lead to distractions, frustrated teams and unclear conversations.

For this project, we took a layered approach. As the ceiling covers one of the largest surfaces in the room, it presented an opportunity for huge impact. We installed metal ceiling tiles with an acoustic fleece backing as a simple, affordable solution to reduce noise, improve privacy and control sound travel from room to room.

To complement this, we added biophilic wall art to absorb sound and refresh the space, along with acoustic art panels on the walls for targeted control where it was needed the most.

Bright Ideas

Immediately, we recognised that light would do more than just illuminate the room. The boardroom was one of the few spaces in the workplace without much natural light, so it was essential to find a solution that brings the outside in. A focus for this work environment was to take the space from a cold, grey room into a warm, inspiring space, using finishes to soften hard surfaces.

To maximise natural light (another element of biophilic design), we fitted a floor-to-ceiling glass partition along one side of the office. This maximised as much daylight reaching this room as possible, while also stopping the outside corridor from becoming even darker. Natural light has been linked in countless studies to focus, mood and overall wellbeing, helping the team to perform at their best. We also fitted dimmable office lighting to allow employees to adjust brightness to suit different tasks.

In a small space, the HVAC system was also key to maintaining comfort during long meetings, while tech integrations such as a screen for video calls ensure the boardroom works just as hard for remote participants as it does for those in the room.

Brand in Focus

As a client-facing space, the boardroom refurbishment needed to communicate professionalism and reinforce the Workplace Interiors Co brand. To achieve this, we added subtle branding elements, including a backdrop of logos positioned perfectly for video calls, so every meeting – remote or in-person – supports the brand without shouting it. 

Small, intentional design decisions like this have a big impact on perception.

The Boardroom Table

Perhaps the most obvious piece of furniture in the boardroom is the table. It can completely change how the space works. For this boardroom renovation, we chose a rounded design. Round corners are a subtle technique; no one sits at the “head”, so every employee feels included, engaged and encouraged to collaborate. 

Positioned against the wall rather than in the centre of the room, we were able to free up valuable floor space to create a sense of movement and flexibility. The team can circulate easily without feeling cramped. Surrounding it are comfortable, ergonomic chairs that support long discussions and client-facing meetings. 

This boardroom fit out proves that size doesn’t limit impact. With targeted renovations – from acoustic design to pace optimisation – even a modest room can energise your team without a huge expense. 

Don’t let a small space hold back big ideas.