2023 Office Trends

Biophilic (plants)

The need for plants in the office space is looking like it’s on the rise. You can add these into your space using individual pots or incorporate them into the furniture design using cupboard planters or cube systems. Below we show a couple of new cube systems from Elite Furniture and Ocee design. The way in which we use plants to create a calm environment is key to a larger office space. Bringing life into the office creates that feeling of gaining power. What a great feeling!

Colour schemes

As with most things, there are normally colour trends that you can work with. More recently we’ve found people are proceeding with muted tones and we feel like this will continue into 2023. Again coming from a more natural/ sustainable trend, linens/ browns/ beiges/ greens to include the use of plants, are still coming through. Mix with harsh black metal work, Crittall doors and light woods for that light and airy scheme. Using furniture with light woods can tie sustainability from furniture to interior decor. Below we’ve shown the gorgeous Boss Design Ros/2 small sofa. This piece would be great in a small reception. The wood on the wall gives that touch of nature and the black metal work is a great contrast to the linen look upholstery.

Obviously the above relates to more office-based spaces. If you would like to re fit or design a reception for a university, you might think about adding in a pop of colour. Yellow stimulates productivity, and blue improves focus and motivation.

Modular and Ergonomic Furniture 

A lot of office spaces are becoming more and more open. Think about how people communicate in the office space, sit departments together and divide area’s using cube systems rather that studied walls. Being more open plan will reduce that hierarchy conflict. Having sit stand desks gives employees the options to sit/ stand comfortably in the office. Standing is proven to improve productivity. Sit stand bench desks are becoming more popular, giving individuals the choice of how they work but combining the desk space in the office. Ensure when staff are seated that their desk place is an ergonomic one. We pride ourselves of being up to date in the world of ergonomic furniture, offering chair fitting services alongside a trial period for certain chairs, ensuring that individuals are sat correctly. It’s so important that back pain isn’t caused by sitting incorrectly at work, especially for long periods of time.

Wellbeing 

Employee wellbeing is now very important.  We’d love to hear about how you ensure wellbeing in your workplace. Here is a couple of idea’s that we think will be big in 2023……

Yoga sessions at lunch. Why don’t you book a yoga session once a week in your breakout area. Buying furniture that can be mobile is a new trend hitting 2023 for this very reason. If furniture can be moved to one side of the room, there is no reason why you cannot have a yoga or Pilates instructor come after work or at lunch to provide sessions. These sessions could really help employee focus during there working day. Below we’ve picked out a couple of mobile units, including the new Yoyo booth. Move it around for meetings, focus work, zoom calls or as a sound partition to create a versatile, inclusive & agile workspace

Having a good break out area is key. A mixture of high and low tables mixed with a variety of soft seating gives that space for employees to collaborate. Ocee Design do a fantastic range of soft seating. Poseur tables with high stools are a more casual way of adding further seating.

Create an entertainment zone. Larger offices might like to zone off an area with play stations and ‘comfy’ sofas. 10 minutes time out could make the world of different to employees at high pressure jobs.

If you have room, create a bar and invite staff to team building sessions once a month. The happier your employees are, the more productive they should be at work. We can design and build a bar areas for you.

Staying connected. 

Hybrid working is becoming increasingly important in the workplace. Companies can employ staff around the country knowing that there is always the option of a video call if they need to see them face to face. Use a mobile media unit to have the option to have a video call in a meeting room whenever it is needed. The Moby media unit, pictured below is a great piece for any office to have, Sturdy, strong and easy to move around, it can be equipped with a marker board on one side and a TV on the other, with removable side panels for access to power and hiding unsightly wires.

Making sure employees have the option to take a confidential call is also important. Privacy booths are increasingly popular, but the new Chat Box is that next step on privacy. The chat box comes singular or as a duo. These are the spaces where people can work according to their own needs and preferences. Chatbox Duo offers a private meeting room in an instant, helping people to connect, collaborate and focus in private. A silent space for creativity to flourish.

Sustainability 

This is an area everyone is more conscious about. Being conscious of what we buy and what it’s made from is important. Buying furniture that is made to last is something we feel strongly about, which is why we pick the best suppliers to work with. We can supply pieces that have EU Eco label or use fabrics that are made from eco-friendly fibres. Let us know if this is paramount to your designs.

There’s so much to think about when designing your office space, it can be a bit mind blowing. Let us take the stress away and project manage for you. Contact us today for a chat about how we can improve your office space in the new year. We look forward to working on some great projects.