When Amenable was given the chance to design the interior of Luma Counseling’s new office space, we knew it would be an exciting challenge. Unlike our typical digital branding projects, this one had a physical outcome—a space where people would walk through the doors, take a seat, and experience care and support. Our goal was to create an environment that felt welcoming, calming, and comfortable, while also being practical for the counselors who work there every week. 

From initial brainstorming to final design decisions, this project explored how to design office space in a way that shapes the atmosphere, supports meaningful conversations, and leaves a lasting impression on clients and staff alike.

Designing a Space with Meaning: How to Design Office Space

In our initial discussions with the Luma Counseling team, we quickly agreed on one thing: we wanted to avoid the cold, clinical feel often associated with traditional therapy offices. The design needed to balance warmth with professionalism—comfortable and approachable, yet structured and intentional.

Our early conversations centered around key questions:

• Should the counseling rooms have unique themes or maintain a cohesive pattern?
• How can we use design to encourage both privacy and openness?
• Most importantly, how to design office space so that it feels truly inviting?

Through these discussions, our design direction emerged. We decided to incorporate warm tones, wood accents, and varied textures to create an environment that felt approachable and peaceful. Our furniture and decor choices prioritized both comfort and functionality, ensuring the comfort of both clients and counselors.

Thoughtful Use of Space

With several part-time counselors sharing rooms, flexibility was key. Each counseling room needed to serve multiple functions without feeling impersonal or temporary. Because of this, one of the larger counseling spaces doubles as the director’s office, and another counseling room also functions as a podcast recording space.

Soundproofing was another important element. Conversations in a counseling office need to feel safe and confidential, so we added strategic soundproof paneling to minimize noise transfer without disrupting the overall design.

The reception area shapes visitors’ first impressions, so getting it right was a priority. Rather than a stiff, overly formal check-in desk, we designed a welcoming, relaxed space to set the right tone for clients from the moment they walk in.

Color, Textures & Lighting 

Color greatly influences how a space feels. For Luma, warm neutrals with subtle pops of color helped strike the right balance between calm and engaging. Soft beiges, warm wood tones, and earthy hues created an inviting, grounded atmosphere.

Textures played a key role, too. Upholstered seating, wooden furniture, and layered decor elements added depth and interest to the space without overwhelming it. The goal was a setting that felt lived-in yet professional, where clients could feel comfortable and at ease.

Lighting was the final touch. We swapped harsh fluorescent lights for a mix of natural light, warm lamps, and soft overhead fixtures, creating a soothing ambiance that helped reinforce Luma’s peaceful, restorative environment.

Functional & Inviting Furniture

In counseling spaces, furniture isn’t just about looks—it impacts the experience of everyone involved in the session. When considering how to design office space for counseling sessions, we decided seating needed to be comfortable but not too casual, supportive but not stiff. We selected couches and chairs with care, ensuring they offered the right mix of comfort and structure.

For shared spaces, we wanted the furniture layout to encourage natural conversation, so we arranged seating, tables, and accent pieces to create a flow that felt both open and intentional, avoiding anything overly rigid or impersonal.

Since staying within budget was a priority, furniture and art selection became its own project within the project. Our team compiled a master spreadsheet detailing each recommendation—price, source, dimensions, color options, and more—so that the Luma team could make informed selections without any financial surprises along the way. The end result? A well-curated, cohesive look that met both the functional and budgetary needs of Luma Counseling.

More than anything, this project was about how to design office space that truly works—for clients seeking care, counselors providing support, and the center’s overall mission. For clients, the space needed to feel safe, welcoming, and comfortable. Every design voice—from the color of the walls to the softness of the lighting—was selected with their experience in mind. 

For counselors, practicality was key. Offices had to be adaptable, organized, and conducive to focused conversations. For Luma Counseling as a whole, the design reflected their organizational values and mission, communicating professionalism while maintaining warmth and approachability.

This project showed how to design office space in a way that goes beyond aesthetics to create an environment that facilitates the work being done inside. For our team at Amenable, designing Luma Counseling’s interior office space was both a creative challenge and an opportunity to make a real impact. The final space reflects the balance of warmth, functionality, and adaptability, serving as a place of comfort for clients and a practical work environment for counselors.