Staying on top of office design trends

10/03/20< Back to news index

Trends in office design can move quickly, especially as new generations with different requirements and ways of working enter the workforce.

By 2025, Millennials and Generation Z, with their talent and tech-first approach, will make up over 75% of the UK workforce. You and your workspace need to be prepared to make sure they want to work for you and stay working for you in a highly competitive market.

1. It is essential to design your working spaces around your staff, rather than expecting them to just fit in. Contented workers are more creative and productive. This will be reflected in better working relations, lower staff turnover, less absenteeism and increased profits.
2. A recent survey by Eventbrite showed that 78% of millennials would rather spend money on desirable experiences than on items. They are happiest working in an experience-based economy. In 2020 Office Design, that can mean recreating the sort of layout seen in the best hospitality and leisure locations.
3. Workers need the freedom to work in the most effective way, while suiting their own needs. Remote working is now popular, so flexible workspaces are best. Areas for concentration, collaboration and rejuvenation are all popular.
4. Sustainability is another important area; young people consider environmental issues when looking for a job. Making your office sustainable doesn't have to be expensive and can actually reduce running costs. Most workers prefer working in natural light; if not possible, it's not expensive to install LED lighting. Use low-emission materials, re-use or re-purpose furniture, look for certification from groups such as BREEAM, LEED or Green Building Standards. Recycling bins, reusable cups and paper-free meetings are all signs you care.
5. Large meetings are now rare, so an adaptable boardroom, which can be divided up into smaller spaces is more sensible. This is easy to create, using room dividers and more flexible furniture. Unconventional spaces can also be used; many offices now use the "third space" under the stairs, along with window ledges, corridors and outdoor spaces. These are great for private working. Keep up with trends in decoration to make welcoming, modern areas, especially in reception.
6. Make your workplace a Smart Office so you can collect and share data on how spaces are used and optimise your Office Design as the company evolves. Millennials and Gen Z have grown up with cookies and content marketing - they are less bothered about digital information being used to track their working activities than older staff.
7. Finally, we are most productive when our physical and mental well-being are prioritised, so why not set aside space for relaxation? Major firms like Google and Nike are using rooms for mindfulness, yoga, or reflection as well as providing gyms and even saunas, music rooms, or sleep pods. It's worth considering these ideas to attract and keep the best staff working to their best ability, so you can find the designs that suit your company.