Over the last 12 months, we saw a lot of renovation projects—everything from breakrooms to boardrooms. Creating welcoming workplaces for customers and employees is becoming more of a business priority.
If you think it might be time for a refresh at your company, you might need some inspiration or ideas. So, we assembled a list of the five most popular commercial interior construction trends to help you get started!
1. Sustainable and Natural
Studies have determined that about 70% of employees and job seekers believe environmentally-friendly employers are more appealing. Companies can demonstrate their dedication to a healthy planet by using sustainable materials, implementing sustainable practices, and incorporating natural elements in their office design, including:
- Natural light, large exterior windows, interior glass walls
- Reclaimed building materials
- Greenery
- Recycled furniture
- Earthy colors
- Green roofs
- Adjustable, auto-sensing lighting
- Building management system (BMS)
2. Modular and Flexible
Hybrid work is here to stay. Dedicated offices and cubicles are a thing of the past. Taking their place are flexible, comfortable, inviting workspaces. Whether a quiet space for individuals to focus or a shared space for group meetings of different sizes, companies are using several approaches to meet their employees’ needs:
- Modular furniture
- Portable walls/partitions
- Individual rooms (phone booths, office pods)
- Open floorplan, common areas
- Booth/railway carriage seating
3.Technology Integration
Businesses need to support employees’ use of a range of portable smart devices. Seamlessly integrating technology into the workspace not only enables employees to work when and where they want but also supports the other trends in this post, such as flexibility, wellness, and sustainability. Common techniques include:
- Smart-desk reservation system
- BMS (mechanical and electrical monitoring)
- Built-in charging stations
- Smart lighting
- Touchless fixtures
4. Texture
Different materials and fabrics can add dimension and depth to the workplace. The look and feel of a surface, a.k.a texture, complements the modular workspace trend (above) and creates an interesting and inviting space for hybrid employees. Using natural, rustic materials, such as those listed below, can enhance a space’s visual appeal, and improve employee productivity and morale:
- Fabrics including rugs, curtains, wall decorations
- Walls, flooring, dividers, finishes made of natural wood, stone, metal
- Woven materials in furniture, throws, pillows
5. Employee Well-Being
Contrasting the stereotypical 9-to-5 office that featured cold, fluorescent lighting, individual cubicles, and bland colored walls and flooring, businesses now are now creating exciting offices with employee well-being in mind. These “healthy spaces” are open, comfortable, calming, and inspiring and promote employee happiness, creativity, and collaboration through:
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- Air quality, humidity, circulation
- Acoustic panels, sound-absorbing screens
- Natural light using skylights, window-walls
- Biophilic elements, including plants, natural materials, water features
- Common spaces
Businesses are renovating offices, meeting areas, breakrooms, and even restrooms using new techniques and materials and creating a work setting worthy of their reputation. By implementing some of these ideas, as our clients have done, you, too, can capitalize on the latest interior construction trends to create a welcoming workplace for your employees and customers.
