The modern office combines technology with innovative interiors that support teamwork along with private workspaces. New materials are trending, like the choice of a granite conference table to replace the traditional wood laminated, particleboard versions. A mix of flooring materials is also trending. Wood plank flooring, with areas of concrete or granite flooring supplants outdated carpet, while organic, free-flowing work stations are ousting the straight-cut, uniform desks.
Today’s office trends are not only about being productive but also about retaining great employees who desire a workplace that is welcoming and vibrant. Current trends in office design include open floor plans that support collaboration along with plenty of ergonomic and wellness elements that support productivity. Here are 7 ways to incorporate modern and stylish office design trends that will generate an environment of professionalism and can spark business creativity.
7 Office Design Trends 2020
1. Moveable, Multi-functional Furnishings
If your office space is not particularly large, you can get more from your square footage when you invest in office furnishings that are multi-functional. This includes portable equipment stands for shared office equipment like AV equipment and common area seating that can be rearranged for group meetings. A growing trend in moveable office equipment includes standing desks that are vertically adjustable. It has been proven that standing more in the office will increase blood flow which will reduce office fatigue.
Modular and moveable office furnishing lend themselves well to flexible floor plans. It allows your employees to modify privacy levels and area size when needed – but it does not sacrifice the formal or informal characteristics of the office.
2. Conference Room Design Trends
Traditionally, conference room tables have laminated or wood surfaces. The problem with wood is that it must be maintained. Water rings and hot laptops can destroy the finish of wood-topped conference tables. A better choice for the modern office is stone materials like a granite top conference room table. Granite will maintain its beauty without discoloring, scratching, staining, or warping. It only needs a reapplication of sealant every year for a table that will last a lifetime.
Natural stone like granite, marble, and quartz (an engineered stone) are also making their way into other office spaces such as the receptionist desks, lobby tables, and granite office tables. The beauty of a granite conference room table is unparalleled and it supports corporate sustainability efforts by using green building materials that require a minimum of processing.
Office conference table fabricated with Brazilian granite that accommodates 10 office chairs in a St. Louis corporate office
3. High-energy Color Schemes
There’s never a dull moment in today’s fast-paced office environments, and interior designers are using high-energy color palettes to enhance productivity and lift moods. Neutral tones are downplayed, while shades that reflect the personality or culture of the brand are front and center. Pale hues of any color can be used to increase visual appeal without sacrificing the professional tone of the workplace.
If calming workspaces are desired, then shades of green and blue can be used. Orange, yellow, and red tones can improve mood and are even uplifting for clients and customers that visit. But, even gray and white can be mated in fresh ways to imply a highly organized and professional environment.
4. Benefits of Indoor Greenery
If you desire an office interior design that promotes wellness and better air quality, the trend is to include biophilic elements or greenery. Potted greens help remove indoor pollutants such as chemical cleaning agents, mold, formaldehyde, and carbon monoxide. In addition to these physical benefits, indoor greenery promotes better mental functioning because the presence of plants is shown to reduce stress and lower noise levels.
The science of biophilia states that mankind has an innate need for nature. The modern office will include greenery within cubicles, along windowed walls, and especially in common areas lunchrooms, lobbies, and atriums.
5. Power-integrated Furnishings
The modern office needs plenty of power outlets and USB ports to keep mobile devices at the ready. When you update your new office space, integrate furniture that supports the way we work, and stay connected. Consider including public charging ports, lobby chairs that recharge cellphone batteries, and other power source furniture such as break room tables with built-in power and USB connections.
What the modern office design hopes to achieve is a lack of work interruption throughout all office and common spaces. Since mobile devices are an integral part of doing business, incorporating power and internet accessible furnishings will keep all employees connected, no matter where they are.
6. Open Floorplans vs. Private Offices
Today’s business is all about collaboration and the sharing of information. But, where previous open-floor office plans made private business conversations difficult, today’s answer is all about boosting employee morale. An open floor plan can group like-minded individuals in common areas or set aside space for teamwork. Workstations have partitions, but they are only 4 feet high, or they are transparent walls instead.
The open floorplan works best for certain industries and certain types of workers. For instance, sales teams, technical teams, and creative employees may still benefit from private workspaces.
7. The Trend Towards Wellness Spaces
Corporations have zeroed in on the benefit of workplace wellness in keeping employees happy and engaged. Wellness areas are especially helpful for offices with an open floor plan, so employees can break away to relax, eat their lunch, or hold informal meetings. Today’s wellness spaces are going one step further by including quiet zones that facilitate concentrated work activities, massage chair areas, and very small, private spaces to simply for a quick meditation session.
But, elements of wellness can be passively included in many areas of office interior design. Large, comfy seating spaces, walls of windows, non-glare lighting, and ergonomic office furniture are all office design trends 2020 that promote health and wellness.
To explore more on current trends in office design that incorporate natural elements like granite countertops in your office spaces including the conference rooms, bathroom credenza, kitchen countertops, and the receptionist desk in lobby areas. Granite is even becoming a material of choice for facility flooring because it is so durable, so you can expect a long-life and a low maintenance schedule of cleaning.