--- title: "“Resi-mercial Design”: How Banko Design Makes Commercial Spaces Feel Like Home | Banko Design" url: https://bankodesign.com/blog/resimercial-design-how-banko-design-makes-commercial-spaces-feel-like-home description: "Developers, do you ever struggle to make your spaces feel “at home” while you balance the performance needs of your commercial interiors? You’re not alone." --- # “Resi-mercial Design”: How Banko Design Makes Commercial Spaces Feel Like Home ![Two-storey clubroom with dark wood panelling, tall windows, four black leather wing chairs around a tufted ottoman and a fireplace](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/clubroom-leather-wing-chairs.DEX41Cdr_ZB9Ea.webp) **At Banko Design, we’ve perfected translating the residential into the commercial.** _Marietta, Georgia-based with projects nationwide._ _Unmatched interior design from start to finishes._ Developers, do you ever struggle to make your spaces feel “at home” while you balance the performance needs of your commercial interiors? You’re not alone. You want everything from your fixtures, furniture and floors to stand out—that’s how you’ll draw customers—but, you need these pieces to be functional and continue to perform over time even with regular traffic. So how does one give soul to a commercial space? That’s where our team comes in. Almost a decade ago, **our Principal and Founder Melissa Banko coined the term “resi-mercial” to describe that in-between space where comfort meets quality**. The resi-mercial space infuses residential touches with human-scaled furniture across multifamily communities, boutique hotels, senior living spaces and more, unlocking a new understanding of coziness in commercial spaces. The beauty of this approach is in its **interior design selections, from finishes to furniture and accessories. Everything is curated to inject the space with life, personality and a “lived-in” quality**, making it feel like it’s someone’s carefully maintained home. The process is an art and a science that we not only developed, we perfected. **We give our clients a commercial interior solution that’s not cookie-cutter commercial. Just smart cookie.** ![Clubroom under a vaulted wood ceiling with a blackened wood fireplace wall, a cream sectional and sheer-curtained windows](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/resimercial-vaulted-clubroom-black-fireplace.j6__Iwdl_1GSEc.webp) ## THE RIGHT MIX Let’s break down “resi-mercial” and why each piece matters. - Dorothy knew what she was talking about. There’s no place like home. That feeling is essential. **People feel good in places that have warmth and feel welcoming.** - **Elements of interior design feel more quality.** They’re more curated and cared for, and people can tell the difference from something that feels cold and “commercial,” especially in a new-build setting. - **People live in your spaces.** If the residential vibe is missing, folks will quickly look for somewhere more inviting and comfy. “Mercial” = Commercial - The interior design **needs to withstand commercial use.** That means high traffic, heavy use, commercial-grade cleaning, and everyday living. - The **space must also act like a contract space** (because it is one). We can’t get away with many of the architectural “shortcuts” that a residential project may have. You can’t sacrifice too much of either or the space will underwhelm. **At Banko Design, we implement the impeccable**: fabrics that don’t feel cheap or plasticky, but are still cleanable or bleachable; lighting that is soft, appropriate and inviting, but still functional and bright enough to see; flooring that looks like it’s part of a fine home, but is a cinch to clean. And **it _has_ to have spar**k. Banko Design spaces are all about not just looking the part, but feeling it too. ## OUR RESI-MERCIAL RESUME The proof is in the pudding. Here are a few resi-mercial success stories in the real world. The [Church Hill Village](https://bankodesign.com/portfolio/church-hill-village) is an assisted living and memory care community in Newtown, CT. When it comes to Senior Living, the resi-mercial touch is especially important for a number of parties. First, of course, the residents. But it’ll certainly make an impression on the caregivers and family members who may be making decisions on behalf of a loved one. ![Farmhouse style lounge with exposed beams and shiplap, a teal skirted sofa with pink and sage pillows and a barn door beyond](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/resimercial-farmhouse-lounge-teal-sofa.C6QFNGwi_X9mS5.webp) Our design approach for Church Hill Village was to bring a chic family cottage feel to this brand new building, which sits in part of the site’s farmland. The decor was infused with farmers market finds and freshened up with some modern flair. Add on a custom oversized quilt at the entry made by a local artisan, quirky vintage accessories, pastoral artwork, and “cottagecore”-inspired drapery patterns, and **the resi-mercial recipe made Church Hill feel like home.** Our work with [Cadence at Olney](https://bankodesign.com/portfolio/cadence-at-olney), a senior living community in Olney, MD, was all about neo-classic coziness. From warm brick walls to terracotta tile flooring, we outfitted the community while staying true to the authenticity of the area. Millwork detailing, comfy leather-look seating, multiple fireplaces, judge’s paneling, even porcelain china-inspired artworks were included to drive the point home. This community feels like Thanksgiving dinner with the whole family **without sacrificing senior-friendly design concepts.** ![Two-storey lounge with a white panelled fireplace between teal bookcases and navy windowpane check wing chairs on herringbone](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/resimercial-two-storey-fireplace-check-chairs.L0FSYiTI_1HV3D8.webp) Our furniture line with [Fairfield](https://bankodesign.com/product-development) captures the **timeless** **beauty of residential furniture with added accessibility features**. The line lends itself perfectly to senior living comfort design, but is contemporary enough to be a crowd favorite anywhere. ## THE RARITY OF RESI-MERCIAL Since the “aha!” moment, when we realized there was a huge void between residential and commercial design only few could fill, we’ve taken the helm as leaders in the “resi-mercial” sphere. In a lot of ways, it’s been our calling card over the past decade. To this day, **no one does it like we do.** Our passion for residential design’s attention to detail is conveyed in a way that **works in favor of developers, REITs and real estate investors (not to mention their bottom lines).** We’re ready and excited to work with you. Interior design of any space is a serious investment, so we’ll make the most of any budget. Looking to develop the next multifamily masterpiece? Reach out to us at [business\_development@bankodesign.com](mailto:business_development@bankodesign.com), and let’s get started! _The Banko Buzz by Banko Design, An Unmatched Studio: Commercial Interior Design from Start to Finishes. Marietta, Georgia-based with projects nationwide._ Categories - [Multifamily Interior Design](https://bankodesign.com/blog/category/Multifamily+Interior+Design) - [Senior Living Interior Design](https://bankodesign.com/blog/category/Senior+Living+Interior+Design) - [Private Club Interior Design](https://bankodesign.com/blog/category/Private+Club+Interior+Design) Tags - [Student Housing Interior Design](https://bankodesign.com/blog/tag/Student+Housing+Interior+Design) - [Multifamily Interior Design](https://bankodesign.com/blog/tag/Multifamily+Interior+Design) - [Commercial Interior Design Studio](https://bankodesign.com/blog/tag/Commercial+Interior+Design+Studio) - [Commercial Real Estate](https://bankodesign.com/blog/tag/Commercial+Real+Estate) - [2024 Interior Design Trends](https://bankodesign.com/blog/tag/2024+Interior+Design+Trends) - [Indiana Interior Design](https://bankodesign.com/blog/tag/Indiana+Interior+Design) - [Senior Living](https://bankodesign.com/blog/tag/Senior+Living) [Back to the journal](https://bankodesign.com/blog) ## More from the Journal [See moreposts in the Journal](https://bankodesign.com/blog) ![Multifamily amenity fireside seating with emerald velvet armchairs around a rattan-wrapped table, a cognac leather sofa and stone fireplace](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/green-velvet-chairs-rattan-table.L9PN_8-Z_Z2gTdlI.webp) ## [What Your Multifamily Development Should Look Like](https://bankodesign.com/blog/what-your-multifamily-development-should-look-like) [Read more about What Your Multifamily Development Should Look Like](https://bankodesign.com/blog/what-your-multifamily-development-should-look-like) ![Coworking lounge with walnut booth banquettes, glass globe pendants, orange and tan armchairs and round bistro tables](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/coworking-lounge-walnut-booths.DwRYt9zl_s0oiS.webp) ## [How Banko Design Sets Up Your Project for Success](https://bankodesign.com/blog/how-banko-design-sets-up-your-project-for-success) [Read more about How Banko Design Sets Up Your Project for Success](https://bankodesign.com/blog/how-banko-design-sets-up-your-project-for-success) ![Country club lounge below a dark wood staircase, with olive armchairs, charcoal sofas, plaid ottomans and an orchid on the coffee table](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/country-club-lounge-staircase.j9pKGiHn_2grMkw.webp) ## [Does Your Country Club Look Like The Rest? Time For An Interior Design Refresh With Banko Design](https://bankodesign.com/blog/does-your-country-club-look-like-all-the-rest) [Read more about Does Your Country Club Look Like The Rest? Time For An Interior Design Refresh With Banko Design](https://bankodesign.com/blog/does-your-country-club-look-like-all-the-rest) ## About Banko Design Banko Design is a boutique commercial interior design studio in Marietta, Georgia, specializing in senior living, private club and multifamily communities. Founded in 2014 by Melissa Banko, it designs projects nationwide, from concept programming through FF&E procurement and installation. Address: 470 N Sessions St NW, Suite 102, Marietta, GA 30060, United States. Phone: (678) 202-4812. Email: info@bankodesign.com. Website: https://bankodesign.com/. Contact: https://bankodesign.com/contact.