At this stage, we can all agree that the hybrid workplace is here to stay. This dramatically changes what offices look like today. To attract employees, offices need to be as inviting as a cozy coffee shop while providing a productive place for different purposes. Today’s workplace needs to provide a quiet place for individuals to focus. At the same time, it needs to foster collaboration among groups of varying sizes.
As offices are downsizing, it creates an opportunity for companies to do more with their space. Below are the top five office design trends that will help companies navigate these challenges and meet the needs of their hybrid workforce.
1). Office Optimization
The hybrid office is anything but 9 to 5. Employees come and go at different times and on different days. Companies are turning to technology to help them manage this complexity and optimize office resources. Given the challenges of fluid schedules and shared spaces, companies are using reservation systems, like Envoy, Serraview, and Skedda, to allow employees to reserve workplace resources like desks and meeting rooms. Workplace analytics also help companies monitor and respond to evolving employee needs, too.
2). Flexible Workplace
As companies encourage employees to return to the office, flexibility is still an important theme in 2023. Modular furniture, portable partitions and dividers allow employees to configure the workplace to collaborate in groups of different sizes. Flexible meeting rooms, pods, and booths offered by Spacestor and Room and other vendors help companies offer options for individual work areas, video conferences, and team meetings. Of course, these unique solutions are also visually appealing and will help attract employees, too!
3). Acoustic Design
Open, flexibl workplaces present a problem: noise. Companies are using various acoustic products to absorb sound in common areas and provide a quiet, welcoming workplace. Companies like Acoufelt, Loftwall, and Unika Vaev offer ceiling baffles, wall panels, room dividers, desk dividers, rugs, and other products to help control noise and create a quiet environment for individuals to concentrate and groups to collaborate. Even spray-foam insulation in the ceiling (pictured) can be used to reduce noise.
4). Biophilic Design
This trend appeared a few years ago and is becoming more popular each year. Biophilic design involves incorporating elements of nature in the workplace. The obvious way to achieve this is by adding plants and greenery. Using natural materials, like wood and stone, in the office design can also help. Providing a connection to the outdoors not only creates a relaxed atmosphere, it also improves air quality and increases employee productivity and creativity. Biophilic design also ticks the sustainability box for many environmentally-conscious employees.
5). Natural Light
Beyond open floorplans and big windows, glass walls and partitions, like those offered by Metrowall, allow natural light to fill an office. They also maintain privacy when needed. In addition to employee well-being, natural light is energy efficient. Eliminating the need for artificial light during the day natural light can reduce your electric bill, too!
