The Layrd Lounge
The brief was to transform the existing 77 sqm lounge at Cambridge United Football Club into a warmer, more sophisticated hospitality space. One that felt fitting for a club newly promoted to League One. The redesign brings together bespoke furniture, integrated joinery, acoustic treatments and well-thought-out club branding to elevate the guest experience while strengthening the connection to Cambridge United's identity and heritage. The result is a lounge that feels inviting and homely, offering guests a genuinely memorable matchday experience that reflects the club's elevated status.
Following Cambridge United's promotion to League One, the existing lounge needed to feel like more than just a functional hospitality space. The brief was to create a sophisticated, welcoming lounge, somewhere guests and sponsors could relax and feel genuinely looked after, while strengthening the spaces overall connection to the club.
Working within the existing space, the design introduced bespoke banquette seating, tailored tables, timber-finished TV units and refreshed existing elements to create a more considered, comfortable environment for a League One team. The existing timber flooring was retained, while existing tables and panels were thoughtfully repurposed, keeping the scheme sustainable without losing any of its warmth.
Cambridge United's identity sits at the heart of the design, with the club's distinctive amber used alongside soft blue-grey, black and white to create a refined but still on-brand palette. Natural timber, upholstered furniture and acoustic materials add warmth and texture, balancing the stronger branded elements throughout the lounge and giving the space a genuinely lounge-like feel.
A new acoustic feature wall provides the focal point, combining amber acoustic panels with integrated club signage. Lighting was introduced to highlight the feature and create a warmer, more atmospheric environment. On a separate wall, references to Cambridge's football heritage, including the original 1848 football rules, are presented as a gallery-style feature alongside club photography, reinforcing a sense of heritage and stature appropriate to the club's promotion, while maintaining that home-lounge feel.
The redesigned Layrd Lounge creates a more premium and warmer environment for Cambridge United's VIP hospitality guests. From bespoke furniture and integrated branding to homely design choices and heritage-inspired details, every element has been considered to create a space that feels distinctly inviting, luxurious and connected to the club.
Rather than treating acoustics as a purely functional requirement, the design weaves them into the lounge's visual identity. Amber acoustic panels form a statement feature wall, with Cambridge United signage built directly into the treatment to create a warm, distinctive focal point that feels right at home in a League One hospitality space.
The approach improves the acoustic quality of the space while adding colour, texture and depth, a lovely reminder of how technical elements can become opportunities to enhance the overall guest experience.
The transformation of Layrd Lounge demonstrates how considered interior design can elevate an existing stadium hospitality space without requiring a complete overhaul, an important consideration as Cambridge United adjusts to life in League One. By combining bespoke furniture, acoustic design, integrated branding and carefully selected finishes, the Layrd Lounge has become environment that feels both premium and authentic to the club.
Partnering with Layrd Design on the overhaul of the Regent Lounge and the Layrd Lounge at Cambridge United has been a total game-changer for our matchday hospitality product.
Right from the initial consultancy phase, their team brought an incredible level of innovation and fresh thinking to the table. They took the time to understand the club, the brand, history and the city, delivering high-concept interior solutions that strike the ideal balance between modern sophistication and matchday tradition.
Throughout the process, their guidance was invaluable. The team guided us through space layout optimisation, material choices, and bespoke finishes, ensuring every element was engineered for heavy traffic and high performance without compromising on luxury.
When it came to project management and execution, Layrd exceeded expectation. Working around strict stadium schedules and tight turnaround windows is notoriously complex, yet they drove the entire build with remarkable efficiency, clear communication, and sharp attention to detail.
The tangible return on investment has been outstanding. Upgrading these spaces has fundamentally transformed our hospitality product, resulting in a dramatic rise in corporate bookings and increased seasonal package sales. The reaction from our sponsors, fans, and external clients has been universally enthusiastic. Layrd Design delivered an outstanding quality of work, and they remain a trusted partner as we continue driving the commercial development of Cambridge United Football Club.
Neil Rowe - Head of Commercial
