Make your workplace a pleasure to work in!
The business world is always changing.
Which means that every year, the way people work in the office and their expectations from the workplace vary.
And this in turn transforms the design requirements for office interiors.
Which is what this blog post is all about.
Office interior design trends in 2022
Interior design can play a big role in revamping your office.
The issues you need to address are:
How do you expect your employees to work?
What kind of workplace environment do you want to create in your office?
Are you looking to make the workspace more enticing and comfortable for new recruits?
It is based on these aspects that office interior design trends are set.
The workplace as the new home
Particularly after COVID made Work-From-Home a huge trend, it has become difficult to entice employees to return to the workplace.
Most companies and brands are finding that they have to offer something extra – a positive benefit – to get workers back.
One of these can be to make the office a second home for employees.
Make them experience the same comfort and safety that they would feel at home.
How to do this
You can add some home decor elements like comfortable chairs and sofas, soft lighting, and warm colour schemes (instead of energetic shades) on the walls.
Some other ideas are to add homely art on the walls and go for soft lighting.
Create a collaborative workplace
Open floor office plans are nothing new.
Having fewer separations between workers instigates them into interacting with each other.
This is essential to encouraging collaboration at the workplace.
Collaboration is essential to increase innovation and boost productivity, leading to better results and faster execution of projects.
How do you implement that?
Shrink the number of closed-off, private spaces and conference rooms.
You can’t completely eliminate them, but have as few as possible, and go for more centralised planning spots and open meeting spaces.
This will stimulate workers to spontaneously discuss problems and chip in with ideas.
Be flexible
Of course, not everyone will like working like that.
Some people prefer seclusion.
So, have flexibility for those who need some privacy to work efficiently.
Sme individual workstations can be located in quieter or off-central areas of the office, away from the main collaboration sites.
This ensures a balance between both sides.
Giving a feeling of safety and protection
Like we mentioned at the very beginning, a feeling of safety is very important in attracting employees to get back to the office.
And this will have to be seen mostly in light of the COVID health scare. Hygiene will have to be considered in office design.
What you can do
Here are a few steps you can take to ensure a protected working experience.
- When it comes to high-contact surfaces like doorknobs, go for elements (like hard surfaces) that can be easily sanitised and maintained.
- Try to incorporate space for social distancing and hand washing.
- Go for durable and easy-to-clean flooring options like vinyl (Luxury Vinyl Tiles).
Can you think of any other ways to make the office feel hygienic and safe? Let us know in a comment below!
Go for ergonomic design
First things first: what is ergonomic design?
Ergonomic design is that kind of interior design that is based on people and their interaction with the elements of the space they are in.
What are the benefits you can expect from ergonomic office design?
- It will reduce the physical strain your employees face while working, and shrink the chances of work-related health problems.
- Working in an ergonomic environment helps bust stress and makes working a more pleasant experience. This can reduce absenteeism.
- A workplace that is better in tune with how the employees work can also reduce mistakes leading to better results.
Some aspects of ergonomic workplace design
Here are some ways ergonomic considerations influence office layouts and decor:
- All workspaces and tools should support workers’ bodies in the natural position, to reduce pressure on muscles.
- Remaining active is key to reducing the strain of being seated all day. Ergonomic design includes elements that keep workers moving.
- Overall, ergonomic office planning should promote your workers’ health and cut the risks that come from having a sedentary lifestyle.
This is a huge incentive for your people to attend office.
Choice of wallcoverings
Gone are the days when a simple coat of white paint was good enough for an office wall.
Now, you need eye-catching wall coverings.
Have colours and/or pictures that promote a sense of happiness, and display the values of the brand/company.
Consult with a trained interior designer on using colour psychology to get workers focused.
Living walls
One popular wall design is a living wall.
This is simply a wall with plants.
Think of it as a way to utilise indoor plants more effectively.
Along with all the usual benefits – like maintaining an optimal temperature and filtering out germs, a living wall can be a great accent piece in your office room!
Office interior design trends that you should know – concluding remarks
To repeat and stress, COVID may have fundamentally changed the way many people look at working in an office.
And that will reflect on the office interiors and facilities they expect.
Creating a workplace that makes workers feel at home, gives them a sense of well-being, and looks after their health is key to getting your people to agree to get back to the office.
Now, we want to hear from you.
What trends are YOU noticing at your and other offices?
Which demands are you facing from your own staff?
Let us know in a comment below!
