Trends in Office Design - Making your space work

Posted Monday, December 10, 2018 by Eddy Goldberg & filed under Office Furniture, WorkStations.

The Changing Office Environment

Office spaces have changed significantly over the years.

You can easily picture the 1960s style wood-panelled offices and deep-seated executive chairs. Those private offices and typing pools gave way to the indoor plants of the 70s, the cubicle layouts of the 80s, the cappuccino bars of the dot-coms in the 90s, to today’s open concept office arrangements, including hot desks, co-working and multifunctional workspaces.

Designed to inspire creativity and focus, the modern office space is becoming even more prevalent as the millennial generation enters the workforce.

Unique furniture like funky stools, lounge chairs, couches and even games tables is helping companies make their office a place where people not only want to work, but a place where people want to spend their time.

There are some trends defining the modern office space.

Keep it Simple: Minimal Spaces

Simple tops the list of current office trends.

Remember in the early 2000s when companies talked about creating “paperless offices”? Today they’re taking that concept to the next level by keeping workspaces clear of almost everything – paper trays, staplers, notepads and books. Even the desk telephone has made way for the sleeker smartphone.

Flexibility: Multipurpose and Multifunctional

Making your space multipurpose and multifunctional is another leading trend.

Employees are increasing mobile, taking their laptops, smartphones and working materials with them. Companies are transforming their office spaces to embrace the trend.

Hot Desks – Employees arrive at the office and occupy an open desk for the duration of their visit. Even traditional companies like banks are hoteling their people.

Open Concept – A team collaborating at a shared table or in a shared room.

Co-Working –Teams or individuals working alongside one another, sharing common areas, printers, reception desks and meeting rooms.

Multipurpose workspaces are constantly innovating. For example, a local start-up is now renting restaurant tables as hot desks for freelancers during business hours while the dining rooms are closed. A workplace by day, a restaurant by night. That’s real multipurpose use!

Then there’s the multifunctional part. Furniture can have multiple uses.

Tables can be moved around for in-house presentations
Bookshelves can be used as room dividers
Office chairs can be moved to common spaces for team meetings
Storage units can be used as tabletops
Low filing cabinets can become stools

When planning your office space, it’s essential to consider how furniture can have multiple functions.

Going Green: Repurpose, Reuse, Recycle

Every industry is implementing sustainable practices and programs to keep our environment healthy. Office management is an important part of this initiative.

Office furniture companies follow comprehensive plans for reusing (including reselling), recycling and repurposing office furniture, especially when decommissioning or removing a company’s equipment from service.

Disposing of office furniture in landfill is always a last resort. A responsible decommissioning company will first try to re-use, donate, and recycle. Then produce a report showing you how your items were diverted, giving the weights and percentages by total tonnage.

Recycled Office Furniture

Part of “going green” is using recycled furniture. We will undoubtedly see more of this in the future, especially as environmental programs become more widespread and recycled products become more readily available.

Desks, chairs and even floor mats are increasingly popular recycled pieces in a typical office space.

Renting Great Furniture

Companies of all sizes work hard to stay lean by keeping overhead and inventory low, and remaining flexible to change. Having great, modern office furniture doesn’t need a major investment.

Companies are renting office furniture to keep up with style and ergonomics.

Renting is a great option for staying lean, especially when your provider has a large inventory of quality furniture and delivers to your doorstep.

Ergonomic Designs

More than 80 per cent of North American workers sit at a desk most of the day, five days a week. Their health and productivity is a major focus for both businesses and employees.

To prevent aches, pains and injuries related to sitting, typing and slouching throughout the day, businesses are furnishing their spaces with the latest ergonomically-correct furniture pieces.

Moveable keyboard trays, standing desks, monitor stands and ergonomic chairs are just a few of the pieces that people are implementing for a more productive workspace.