Finding the Sweet Spot Between Looks and Practicality

When I think about interior design, one lesson keeps coming back to me: the best spaces strike a balance between aesthetics and functionality. Beautiful design draws you in and makes you feel good, but if a space doesn’t work well for your daily needs, it quickly becomes frustrating. You want both style and substance.

This idea has a surprising connection to my work in benefits program design. Just like a well-designed room, a great benefits package needs to be attractive enough to engage employees but practical and user-friendly enough to actually support their wellbeing and work-life balance. If it’s all flash and no function, it won’t get used. If it’s practical but uninspiring, it won’t excite or retain people.

So how do we bring the mindset of thoughtful interior design into benefits programs? I’d love to share some reflections on what I’ve learned from both worlds—and why this balance matters more than ever.

Start With the User Experience

In interior design, one of the first questions is always: who will be using this space? What are their habits, preferences, and challenges? A designer will consider how people move through the room, what tasks they need to accomplish, and what kind of atmosphere will support those activities.

Designing benefits programs should start with the same mindset. Who are your employees? What do they really need? What problems are they trying to solve—whether it’s managing stress, balancing family care, or planning for retirement? And how do they prefer to interact with benefits—online, on mobile, with a human advisor?

When benefits programs are designed with the employee’s experience front and center, they become easier to understand, more accessible, and more likely to be used. This thoughtful approach is like designing a living room that feels welcoming and works perfectly for your family’s lifestyle.

Make It Beautiful — But Not Just for Show

Just like interior design uses color, texture, and lighting to create a mood, benefits programs need a “look and feel” that draws people in. This can be as simple as clear, friendly communication and easy-to-navigate enrollment tools, or as engaging as wellness challenges and personalized recommendations that make employees feel seen and valued.

The key is that aesthetics aren’t just decoration. They serve a purpose—to motivate, to clarify, and to connect. When benefits materials are confusing or overwhelming, people tune out. When they’re designed thoughtfully, employees feel encouraged to explore and engage.

Think of it like a well-designed kitchen: beautiful countertops and bright lighting invite you to cook, but it’s the layout and organization that make the whole experience enjoyable and efficient.

Functionality Is Non-Negotiable

No matter how stunning a space looks, if a chair isn’t comfortable or a kitchen isn’t practical, it fails its purpose. The same goes for benefits programs. You can’t afford to have a shiny brochure or flashy app if the processes behind it are complicated, slow, or frustrating.

Employees want benefits that actually work for them—whether that means fast claims processing, straightforward mental health support, or reliable retirement planning tools. When systems are intuitive and customer service is responsive, people feel supported and confident in their choices.

In my role, I see companies investing heavily in the “function” side of benefits—and rightly so. But the best results happen when that function is paired with thoughtful design and communication, so employees aren’t just able to use their benefits but want to use them.

Customization and Flexibility: Designing for Diversity

Another thing I love about good interior design is how it embraces diversity. A family home looks very different from a single person’s apartment, and a workplace might have spaces tailored for collaboration, focus, or relaxation.

Benefits programs also need to recognize that employees have diverse needs and life situations. One size rarely fits all. Offering flexible options—like different health plans, childcare support, or financial wellness resources—lets people create a benefits package that fits their unique circumstances.

Just like a well-designed room might have adjustable lighting or movable furniture, flexible benefits empower employees to take control of what works best for them.

Simplicity Is the Ultimate Sophistication

There’s a saying in design circles that simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. Stripping away unnecessary clutter and focusing on what really matters creates clarity and elegance. This principle applies perfectly to benefits program design.

When employees are faced with too many options, complicated jargon, or difficult enrollment processes, it creates confusion and disengagement. Simplifying communication, providing clear guidance, and streamlining choices helps employees feel confident and supported.

A well-designed space doesn’t overwhelm with too many decorations—it highlights what’s essential. The same goes for benefits programs. Helping people focus on what’s important makes a huge difference in satisfaction and usage.

Creating an Emotional Connection

Great interior design doesn’t just appeal to the eyes; it connects with people emotionally. It makes them feel comfortable, inspired, or energized. Benefits programs can—and should—do the same.

When employees feel that their employer truly cares about their wellbeing, when benefits are presented as part of a supportive culture, it creates loyalty and trust. This emotional connection motivates people to engage and helps companies build stronger, healthier workforces.

In my experience, programs that combine functionality with thoughtful design and genuine care have the biggest impact. They don’t just meet basic needs—they show employees that they matter.

Bringing It All Together

Balancing aesthetics and functionality isn’t always easy. It takes time, collaboration, and a willingness to listen to the people you serve. But it’s absolutely worth the effort.

Just as a beautifully designed space can transform how you live and work, a benefits program that’s both engaging and practical can transform how employees experience their workplace and their health.

If I’ve learned anything from my travels and my career, it’s that design—whether for a room or a benefits program—is about understanding people, anticipating needs, and creating solutions that make life better. When we get that balance right, everyone wins.

Designing benefits programs through the lens of interior design has given me fresh perspectives on what it means to truly support employees. It’s not enough to have good coverage or competitive perks. We need programs that invite participation, respect individual needs, and deliver real value.

By paying attention to both the “look and feel” and the practical side, companies can build benefits that don’t just sit on paper but become a vital part of a thriving workplace culture.

And honestly, that’s a kind of design worth striving for.