Whether a company is just looking to update a few chairs, furnish a conference room, or completely redesign the current office space, there are a number of workplace trends to keep in mind. From the basics, such as brighter color schemes to larger design trends, such as creating more collaborative workspaces, these trends empower facility managers to oversee a staff that’s more sustainable, productive and healthy.
The office of the future is collaborative
A major movement in office design is achieving a more collaborative work environment. Teamwork continues to play a major role, and many offices also have smaller square footage to work with, so it’s all about maximizing the current space while promoting collaboration at the same time. Team interactions can be made easy and happen organically by designing rooms for a variety of purposes, incorporating open layouts, as well as mobile and hybrid furniture products. All of these elements will be more conducive to a collaborative work environment.
To encourage collaboration, many vendors are starting to offer lower dividers. Lower dividers allow co-workers to communicate easier and more freely, without a substantial barrier in between desks. This also allows natural lighting to fill an office space, when applicable. As a bonus relying on natural light helps contribute toward Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design® certification. Facility managers can opt to maximize natural light to reduce energy usage, by bringing the outside in, and even improve building occupants’ moods.
Utilize mobile pieces to create a flexible workspace
Capitalizing on mobility is going to be a big trend in state-of-the-art offices—with the increased telecommuting workforce, the idea of less permanent furniture is becoming less of a concept and more of a reality. Office dynamics are shifting, as technology also enables companies to support a growing number of mobile and flex workers, who use corporate office space only on a periodic basis. By making design tweaks to support multipurpose room functions, designing offices for two, and allowing for private and collaborative spaces, companies can help support their flex worker populations.
Typically lightweight and easy to rearrange, movable wall offerings are being introduced by major manufacturers, which allow for a more open, flexible workspace. These demountable wall products are also being designed to be more flexible and green. Additionally, for companies seeking to do more with less and/or maximize smaller spaces, multipurpose hybrid furniture products can help. For example, products like “mobile pedestals” serve as filing cabinets, but also have plush tops that transform into comfortable seating options. Many manufacturers are adding lounge, or soft seating, pieces that can be integrated into the workplace, as well. In addition to mobile pedestals, other furniture on wheels—including whiteboards, partitions and more—can help facilitate spontaneous brainstorming sessions and be easily rearranged afterward.
Select the right textures, fabrics and colors
An office redesign can project luxury without going over budget. For example, selecting a laminate instead of veneer flooring, and vinyl rather than leather seating, can create a high-impact look that’s still budget friendly. While wood can run on the expensive side, new laminates being offered are making it increasingly difficult to tell the difference between a laminate and the real thing. New trends also indicate that there will be in an increase in bright jewel tones paired with crisp white. Specifically, colors such as magenta, lime, tangerine, mango, cherry and lemon will be more present. People are growing tired of earth tones—these brighter colors being introduced to the office space serve as an accent to the energetic yet controlled elegance of a white backdrop, adding a pop of color to reinvigorate and increase the mood of your staff.
What’s more is that regarding fabrics and textures, companies can go green by selecting those with natural and bio-based fibers, and recycled content. Many newer fabrics and textures also emphasize their environmentally preferable production, including processes powered by renewable energy. Environment-ally preferable fabrics have health benefits too. For example, alternatives to traditional vinyl and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) materials, can help prevent their associated environmental and health hazards. As an added benefit, PVC-free materials are often durable and easy to clean—helping eliminate stains, mildew and bacteria.
Update furniture
A good chair can help provide the proper physical support for an employee, while a poorly made chair could cause immediate discomfort and health problems further down the road. Mesh is a prevalent fabric that is being incorporated into more and more furniture, specifically, mesh backs are increasingly finding their ways into desk furniture, as they allow for ideal comfort and support for the back.
Keep an eye out for furniture finishes being produced in an environmentally responsible manner. For example, wood product manufacturers are making their finishes more sustainable by reducing waste and harmful solvents. A primary benefit is that such finishes help prevent off-gassing—which occurs when volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as formaldehyde, evaporate and are released into the air, often triggering allergies and chemical sensitivities. In addition to improving indoor air quality, low-emitting finishes are also often scratch- and fade-resistant, helping keep furniture in quality condition.
Keep it green
While maintaining a green mindset in the office, it’s still possible to keep up with the newest trends. To create a truly eco-conscious workplace, sustainable furniture should complement an overall environmentally oriented design. This spans everything from the floor—including environmentally preferable carpeting and/or flooring solutions—to the walls, with low- or no-VOC paint options often incorporated, to the ceiling and lighting, too.
Promoting green practices and products throughout a building remains a priority for many facility managers. When it comes to the interior space, facility managers are seeing that furniture made from recycled, renewable and sustainable materials can contribute to healthier, more productive buildings. Environmentally preferable pieces—from chairs to cubicle panels—can help prioritize employee health, while also meeting green goals and achieve relevant certifications and standards.
The demand for recycled and other green products is nothing new, but the notion of sustainability continues to evolve and become more holistic, integrated across all areas of a facility and spanning all aspects of a given product. Facility managers who recognize this trend, and work with manufacturers, distributors and furniture dealers to ensure environmental influence throughout a product’s life cycle and supply chain, will be better positioned to meet green demands, as they evolve. Today’s furniture trends are making it more conducive for facility managers to comply with being green, while keeping the workforce productive and healthy. FMJ
