Design Besties, EDspaces launch teachers' lounge makeover in Columbus

By AI, Created 3:21 PM UTC, June 04, 2026, /AGP/ – The Design Besties and EDspaces are bringing their Teachers’ Lounge Movement to Columbus, Ohio, where one Title I school will get a fully funded, professionally designed faculty lounge makeover. The effort aims to ease educator burnout and retention problems by turning overlooked staff spaces into restorative environments.

Why it matters: - Teacher burnout and attrition remain a national crisis, and the Design Besties are targeting a part of the school environment that often gets overlooked. - A redesigned teachers’ lounge can give educators a place to rest, reset and recharge during the school day. - The project is focused on a Title I Columbus school, which adds an equity angle to the effort.

What happened: - The Design Besties, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit, announced a partnership with EDspaces, the education facility design conference and community produced by Emerald X. - The two organizations are bringing The Teachers’ Lounge Movement to Columbus, Ohio. - One Columbus Title I school will be selected to receive a fully funded, professionally designed teachers’ lounge makeover. - Industry partnerships and donated products will cover the cost of the project. - A selection committee of design and education leaders will review video submissions from finalist schools and choose the winner.

The details: - The selection committee includes Stacy Roth of DLR Group, Harriet Grindel of Multistudio, Emily McGinnis of KI, Dr. Deb Kerr of Bold Women Collective, and Jolene Levin of Bold Women Podcast and EDmarket. - The Teachers’ Lounge Movement is described as a national campaign. - The Design Besties use human-centered, evidence-informed design to transform underutilized faculty spaces into wellness-centered environments. - The nonprofit says the spaces are meant to reduce daily stress, restore dignity and remind teachers they matter. - Founded in 2024, The Design Besties has completed three makeovers across two states. - The first project was delivered in under 36 hours on a budget of less than $7,000. - A later reveal at T.W. Andrews High School in High Point, North Carolina, included more than $70,000 in donated products and 20-plus brand partners. - The Design Besties were founded by Rhobin DelaCruz, Nikki Watson, Lori Johnson and Whitney Atkinson. - The organization says design is a vehicle for social good. - Its work centers on professionally curated teachers’ lounge recovery spaces that prioritize wellness, dignity and human connection. - EDspaces says its event brings together architects, interior designers, school district leaders, dealers, distributors, manufacturers and other education-focused professionals. - EDspaces also says attendees use the event to explore innovative products, emerging trends and evidence-backed solutions for learning environments. - The organization says its work spans planning, design, procurement and implementation. - The Design Besties included a quote from President and Co-Founder Rhobin DelaCruz: “Each project is a collaborative act of gratitude and design innovation. Our goal is to honor educators by creating spaces that support their wellbeing and acknowledge the vital role they play in shaping future generations.” - More information is available at The Design Besties website and EDspaces.

Between the lines: - The partnership links a mission-driven nonprofit with a major education design network, which could help the Columbus project draw more industry support and visibility. - The emphasis on wellness-centered staff spaces reflects a broader shift in school design toward supporting adults as well as students. - The project also turns a symbolic space, the teachers’ lounge, into a visible statement about educator value.

What’s next: - Finalist schools will submit videos for review by the selection committee. - The committee will vote on the Columbus school that receives the makeover. - The winning school will get a fully funded lounge transformation built through donated products and partner support. - Media and sponsorship inquiries can be directed to Jess Robb at jess@robbmediapartners.com or thedesignbesties@gmail.com.