Transforming a Challenging Space: Bespoke Home Office Fit Out in Surbiton

At Swyft Services, we pride ourselves on turning even the most challenging spaces into functional and beautiful environments. Our recent project in Surbiton, Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames is a perfect example—an ambitious, handcrafted bespoke home office fit out that exceeded expectations and delivered lasting impact.

Before: A Challenging Starting Point

Before Photo 1:

Outdated & Unbalanced Space

The room was tired and uneven, with unlevel floors, walls out of plumb, and poor natural flow.

Before Photo 2:

The Alcove Complication

This former utility alcove featured exposed gas and plumbing pipes running both vertically and horizontally — a major obstacle to clean cabinetry and shelf integration.

The Client’s Vision

Our client approached us with a vision: a calm, organised and elegant home office with a clean white finish, natural wood textures, and floor-to-ceiling storage. They wanted:

• A solid wood desk with drawers and integrated printer storage

• Bookshelves across two walls, including an awkward alcove

• Filing cabinets with ample storage

• A high-end, timeless aesthetic

The challenge? Other local trades had turned the job down, citing complex structural and functional constraints. But we saw opportunity where others saw obstacles.

Brief Photo 1:

Office Fit Out Inspiration From Pinterest

The client sent this screen grab along with a few others as inspiration images to demonstrate their desired home office design.

Brief Photo 2:

Rough Room Sketch

A rough sketch of the room dimensions from which to calculate an initial estimate.

The Build: Craftsmanship Meets Innovation

This fully bespoke fit-out included:

• A solid oak desk with two drawer units (three soft-close drawers each), including a pull-out printer drawer and integrated cable management

• Shaker-style cabinetry for two four-door filing cabinets

• Wall-to-wall bookshelves with tailored shelving for decorative pieces

• A spray finish in Cotton White (Dead Flat Matt), blending subtly with the client's existing interior palette

The oak worktops, crafted from 40mm Prime Oak, were hand-finished with multiple coats of natural oil—delivering a luxurious, tactile surface that’s built to last for generations.

Progress Photo 1:

Natural Timber Worktops

Prime Oak hardwood timber was selected and prepared for the office worktops.

Progress Photo 2:

Drawer Base Units

The printer drawer was of high importance to the client and was therefore prioritised early in the build.

Solving the Hidden Challenges

This space posed a number of complications that demanded creativity and problem-solving:

• Alcove with gas and plumbing pipes: These needed to be completely hidden, without sacrificing usable storage or airflow.

• Condensation concerns: We incorporated hidden ventilation channels behind all furniture backs to promote airflow and prevent future mould build-up.

• Uneven floors and out-of-plumb walls: The furniture was carefully designed and custom-fitted to compensate for these structural issues, ensuring a seamless finish.

Every piece was handmade on site, allowing the client to be involved in live decisions during the build—ensuring both precision and adaptability throughout the process.

Progress Photo 3:

Electrical & Plumbing

Essential flooring, plumbing and electrical requirements were addressed first.

Progress Photo 4:

The Alcove Solution

Deep corner shelves make use of the alcove space and box in pipes that were previously exposed. Shelving units secured to walls with concealed steel brackets.

Progress Photo 5:

Final Stages

The full office fit out reaching the final stages of the build.

Details That Matter

• Worktops made of Prime Oak for a luxurious solid hardwood surface

• Cabinetry built from MDF; shelving from pine timber board for strength

• Elegant, Satin Brushed Brass handles for a modern classic finish

• All drawers and doors feature concealed soft-close mechanisms

• Shaker-style drawer and door fronts, handmade with centralised handles

• Subtle details like Ogee fascia and square skirting kept the furniture in harmony with existing architectural elements

• Structural fixings hidden using concealed steel brackets, keeping the aesthetic clean

These decisions created not only a cohesive design, but one that is deeply functional and built for daily use.

After Photo 1:

Prime Oak Worktop

The office desk is fitted with a natural oiled solid oak worktop to provide a luxurious and smooth finish

After Photo 4:

Shaker Design

Shaker design doors and drawer faces offer a modern feel yet are timeless in their appeal.

After Photo 2:

Elegant Cabinet Hardware

Satin brushed brass finish door and drawer handles, fitted centrally, provide an elegant look.

After Photo 3:

Trim To Suit

Skirting and facia trim designed to suite the existing architectural fittings.

After Photo 5:

Bespoke Home Office Office Fit Out

Full view of the custom built office fit out, including solid oak office desk, filing cabinets and wall to wall book shelves.

What the Client Said

“Ryan (from Swyft Services) absolutely blew us away from start to finish - he helped us design our new office/study and patiently explained the different options we had in terms of space, materials etc which made a daunting project so much more manageable. He built us an absolutely stunning integrated desk, cupboards and shelving system that has completely transformed the room and is way beyond what we initially had in mind. Apart from his excellent workmanship he made it really easy to get booked in, invoices etc and there was absolutely no mess! He went above and beyond for us. Would highly recommend to anybody looking for bespoke carpentry! 10/10!!”— 5-Star Google Review

And during the project:

“Went to do my daily check of the office which is such a fun surprise every day. That countertop is SO good… looking amazing thanks Ryan!”

“That whole setup is actually massive, it looks great! Can’t wait to actually work in there”

“Incredible job done. Amazing thanks Ryan, it really looks unbelievable thanks so much again!”

Our Reflection

We’re particularly proud of the Prime Oak worktop—a centrepiece that adds natural warmth and character. But more than that, we’re proud of turning a space that many thought “unworkable” into a clean, functional and stunning home office tailored precisely to the client’s needs, that has exceeded their expectations.

Projects like this are why we do what we do: combining design, practicality, and craftsmanship to bring lasting value to your home.

Project Location

This project was completed in Surbiton, Greater London—part of our core service area covering South West London and Surrey.

Ready to Transform Your Space?

At Swyft Services, we don’t just build furniture — we design tailored spaces that fit your lifestyle, your home, and your vision. If you’ve got a complex or unique joinery project in mind, we’d love to hear about it.

👉 Visit www.swyftservices.co.uk and click Enquire Now to book a consultation.