The office interior design trends are evolving at an accelerating pace. Today, the demand for a comfortable and visually appealing workspace has become a norm, as companies are investing more in their interior environment to enhance the wellbeing and productivity of their employees. But, it’s not just about a trendy aesthetic, functionality and clever office storage solutions are vital considerations too.
With a new year comes a whole host of new office interior trends that are set to inspire your next project. From ergonomic furniture and natural light to biophilic design and smart offices, here are eight refurbishment trends to consider for your next office space.
1. Ergonomic Furniture
Ergonomic furniture has been a popular trend for a couple of years now, but no trends list is complete without it. Comfortable and practical office chairs, standing desks, and monitor arms are all essential elements that help to keep staff productive and healthy. An ergonomic workspace is not only about reducing eye and neck strains but also about preventing chronic health conditions like backache, carpal tunnel syndrome, and an overall lack of productivity.
2. Biophilic Design
Biophilic design continues to dominate the office interior industry, and with good reason, integrating nature into the workspace can have tremendous benefits for employees. Research has shown that biophilic design can boost energy levels, reduce stress, boost memory and creativity, and enhance general wellbeing.
Introduce live plants, green walls, and natural materials like wood, stone, and water features to achieve this trend in your next office interior refurbishment project. Additionally, make use of outdoor spaces such as balconies, terraces or roof gardens to promote better air quality and natural light access.
3. Natural Light
Natural light is one of the essential elements that can positively impact employee wellbeing and performance. Access to natural light helps regulate the circadian rhythm, which in turn can impact the mood, productivity, and sleep cycles of staff members. Additionally, it can make a space feel brighter, welcoming, and more spacious.
Ensure that there are large windows, skylights, and open spaces in the design of your office refurbishment project. If limited by location, explore light pipes as a practical solution.
4. Collaborative Spaces
The need for team collaboration has resulted in companies designing open floor plans and activity-based spaces. Collaboration is vital to innovation, creativity, and productivity in a team. In addition, open spaces have a direct impact on employee engagement and connectivity.
Creating flexible collaborating spaces in the workplace, such as lounges or informal brainstorming areas, can encourage teamwork, creativity, and communication among employees.
5. Acoustic Solutions
Office acoustics continue to be a significant office interior refurbishment problem in modern workplaces. The open format, the sound reflections from glass partitions and lower dividers can easily create an echo in the office, causing noise distractions that might affect employees’ concentration levels.
Address this problem of noisy workplace by incorporating acoustic solutions such as glass partitions with acoustic seals, soundproofing wall panels, and ceiling baffles. This solution can improve the privacy, focus, and concentration of employees while promoting overall productivity.
6. Smart Offices
The rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) has seen the rise of smart offices, which are designed to be functional and efficient. It is an innovative approach that aims to save costs, energy, and time by introducing automated technology and IoT-powered devices.
Smart offices help employees to monitor lighting, temperature, air quality, workspace usage, among others, to provide productivity recommendations. From sensors that turn the lights on and off automatically to AI chatbots that provide programming suggestions, technology is transforming the office interior landscape at an unprecedented rate.
7. Neutral Colour Palettes
Choosing a neutral colour palette for your office interior refurbishment project is modern, timeless, and versatile. When designing, you should consider that it will make the space feel calm, professional, and elegant. Additionally, neutral palettes are an excellent option if you plan to bring in patterned textiles, wall art, or statement furniture.
8. Homely Touches
Make your workspace feel more inviting, and homely by adding decor elements that express the company culture or mission. This personalizes the space and help employees feel more comfortable in their work environment.
Incorporate elements such as wall decals, framed art prints, customised rugs, and unique desk accessories to make the environment inviting and aesthetically pleasing.
In conclusion, when considering a modern office refurbishment, take a design-first approach that acknowledges the importance of functionality, comfort, and aesthetic appeal. By incorporating these eight trends, you can create a space that is stylish, practical, and inspirational – adding to the wellbeing and productivity of an organisation in equal measure.