Toronto · Offices
Office Interior Design in Toronto
Most people can now work from home. An office in Toronto has to be good enough that they choose to come in — and that is mostly about sound, light, and the right mix of rooms.
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Designing an office people use
The office brief has changed a lot since 2020. Rows of identical desks make less sense when half the team is home on any given day. What people come in for is collaboration, focused work away from home, and each other.
That changes the brief. Fewer assigned desks, more meeting rooms of different sizes, quiet spaces for calls, and a kitchen people actually gather in.
We work with small and mid-size businesses. Our commercial portfolio so far is concept work rather than completed Toronto fit-outs, and we say so up front.
Before you sign the lease
Bring us in before signing, if you can. A test fit, a quick layout of your team in the space, tells you whether it actually works. Columns, window depth, washroom location, and the shape of the floor plate all change how many people fit and how well.
Read the landlord's work letter closely. It defines what the landlord builds, what you pay for, and how the tenant improvement allowance can be used. Allowances in Toronto vary widely by building and lease length, and negotiating them is worth real money.
Sound is the biggest complaint
Open offices are loud, and noise is one of the most common complaints in office surveys. Plan for acoustics from the start: ceiling treatment, carpet or acoustic underlay in work areas, and enough enclosed rooms that a call does not have to happen at a desk.
Phone rooms are small and cheap and get used constantly. One for every eight to twelve people is a reasonable starting point. Meeting rooms need sound-rated walls built to the underside of the slab, not just to the ceiling tile.
Rules that shape the plan
Ontario offices need to meet the Ontario Building Code, including barrier-free requirements for accessible routes, washrooms, and door widths, and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act sets further standards for employers. Most fit-outs need a City of Toronto building permit.
Base-building rules also apply. Most office towers have design criteria for tenant spaces, approved contractors, and restrictions on work hours. We coordinate with the landlord's team so the drawings go through without surprises.
What an office project covers
Test fit
A quick layout of your team in a prospective space before you commit to the lease.
Acoustic plan
Ceilings, flooring, and wall ratings chosen to keep noise under control.
Brand and finishes
Materials, colours, and graphics that carry your brand without becoming a theme park.
Furniture specification
Workstations, seating, and meeting furniture chosen for durability and lead time.
Landlord coordination
Drawings prepared to the building's tenant criteria and handed to your contractor.
Office questions, answered
How much does office interior design cost in Toronto?
We charge 6% to 13% of construction and furniture, with a $32,500 minimum; the Toronto market is 10% to 20%, often with a $50,000 minimum. On a $300,000 fit-out, the percentage lands between $18,000 and $39,000, so the fee is $32,500 to $39,000. Construction is priced by your contractor.
Should I hire a designer before signing a lease?
Ideally, yes. A test fit shows whether the space works for your team, and it helps you negotiate the tenant improvement allowance and the landlord's work letter.
Do I need a permit for an office renovation in Toronto?
Most office fit-outs that add or move walls, change plumbing, or alter fire safety systems need a City of Toronto building permit. Cosmetic work generally does not. The landlord will also have its own approval process.
How long does an office fit-out take?
Design and permit drawings typically take two to three months. Permit review adds time, and construction for a small to mid-size office is often two to four months. Furniture lead times run alongside.
How many meeting rooms do we need?
More than you think, and smaller. Most meetings are two to four people. A mix of phone rooms, small huddle rooms, and one larger room usually serves a hybrid team better than a single big boardroom.
Have you completed office fit-outs in Toronto?
No, not yet. Our commercial work so far is concept studies, each one labelled. If a completed Toronto office is a requirement for you, say so on the first call and we will tell you straight whether we are the right fit.
Before you sign the lease
Tell us the floor size or the address, your headcount, and your lease deadline. We reply within two working days. Ask about a test fit, so you know whether the space works before you commit to a full design fee.
yivgalenko@gmail.com·Toronto & Los Angeles