It’s been five years since we founded DesignTonic - and those five years have been a hell of a time for workspaces.
Pandemics and lockdowns; hybrid returns and reshaped work weeks; the very fabric of the work landscape has changed almost beyond recognition from what went before; certainly from what we expected of our offices a decade ago.
Here at DesignTonic, we can’t deny that the new dynamic suits our interior style perfectly.
Where once offices were a place of rigidity, standardisation and convention, today the emphasis is on nurturing productivity and creating versatility, with sustainability, tech integration and employee wellbeing at the forefront of daily worklife.
For those of you looking to bring your office up to scratch in 2024, here’s our indispensable checklist to help you futureproof your workspace for the next five years - and way beyond.
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Checklist 1 - Embrace Hybrid working
We can thank the pandemic for accelerating a long-needed shift towards hybrid working models that offer more flexibility to those who want or need it.
And while there was a touch of premature panic in the post-pandemic “return to work” world, it soon became clear that most people just like a bit of both - the ability to pick and choose making everyone happier and more productive all-round.
But what does the shift to hybrid mean in terms of office design?
It means creating an array of spaces that cater for the different needs of your workforce, and then couching those spaces in comfort and ease.
How?
Incorporate features like ergonomic furniture and relaxation areas, flood your workplace with natural light and bathe it in biophilia.
Facilitate a range of tasks - from collaboration to focused work; private calls to tech-enabled areas where in-office staff can work seamlessly with remote colleagues.
Every business is unique, but in addition to your normal desk areas, your office could incorporate any number of task-based spaces that offer your staff a choice that suits their own working styles, including:
- Stylish and cosy, lounge areas are a relaxed setting for impromptu discussion and creative teamwork. Also great for informal, friendly client meets.
- Privacy pods or phone booths will be a common sight in 2024 office designs - as they already are in DesignTonic spaces! These enclosed spaces offer a respite from noise and distractions, allowing individuals to focus or make important calls without interruption.
- Similarly, private collaborative pods or semi-enclosed booths are ideal for small teams seeking a quiet space to meet, gain focus or brainstorm.
- Breakout spaces are brilliantly versatile spaces that encourage casual, open discussions - ideal for spontaneous conversations and informal, ideas-based work.
- Shared desks with power outlets, screen-sharing tech and writable surfaces are perfect for collaborative project work.
- Meeting rooms needn’t stop at the boardroom level. Huddle rooms are also a fantastic place for more formal get togethers or focused work - with the added benefit that they can double up as part-time private offices.
And think carefully about your tech.
If you have a substantial number of your staff working remotely, the success of such a hybrid model will hinge on the seamless integration of the tech your workforce need to work together, whether that’s video calling or conferencing facilities or well-placed access to cloud-based collaboration tools or project management software.
DesignTonic X Mackenzie Stuart
Checklist 2 - Workplace Wellbeing
In the commercial design world, making sure that your workspace nurtures the health and wellbeing of your staff has been centre-stage for some time, and it’s a topic we’ve tackled in more depth here.
But briefly, addressing wellbeing through design is a key part of your overall culture. Our surroundings have a profound impact on our mental and emotional states, so the look and feel of your office plays a crucial role.
Again, we have lots of tools in our design arsenal when it comes to promoting wellbeing in the workplace.
From ergonomics and comfort (physical and acoustic) through flexibility and choice to natural light and biophilia, there are lots of ways to reduce stress and improve moods, creating a positive atmosphere that drives productivity every day.
But our favourite workplace wellbeing touch has to be the breakout areas that encourage a little daytime decompression.
Whether that’s the ability to play a little golf, a fabulous company bar or a zen space for meditation and yoga, these spaces are a brilliant way to keep your workforce feeling happier and more engaged with one another - enhancing the whole employee experience and contributing to a positive and thriving corporate culture that existing and target employees will find hard to resist.
Love to see what our talented team could create in your office? Let’s chat
DesignTonic X White Rose Education
Checklist 3 - Sustainability and Natural Light
Sustainability remains a top concern for us all, and it will be as influential on office design in 2024 as it is right now.
With energy costs still high, a focus on reducing your organisation's carbon footprint is a cost-effective move, and one which smart interior design can easily help with.
Sustainable materials like cork and bamboo are brilliant choices for the office, being both eco-friendly and durable. And there are no end of great-looking recycled and reclaimed options around that tick all the sustainability boxes without sacrificing any of the aesthetic appeal.
But one of the simplest and easiest ways to achieve better sustainability is to maximise the natural light you have available.
When we approach any office design, build and/or fitout, this is one of our first and most important considerations, driving choices around colours, partitioning and layout among others.
For your own design, the key is to think carefully and creatively about how you can make the most of every ray when planning your workspace.
Glass or slatted partitions beat walls, lighter colours should be placed where light needs to be bounced and reflective materials not only bring brightness into dark corners, but also add the feeling of extra space.
DesignTonic X Phoenox Textiles
Checklist 4 - Agile Space
Open-plan has had a bad rap in recent years, but naysayers are ignoring its biggest strength - that of pure versatility.
What an open plan space needs to turn it into something out-of-this-world is some super-smart planning, and a cleverly considered fit-out.
We’re thinking flexible, modular and hybrid furniture that can be reconfigured, moved and manipulated with ease, accommodating different workstyles.
We’re thinking movable partitions, which can enable teams to adjust their spaces in real-time, as well as helping to make your space more accessible and comfortable to employees with diverse needs.
And we’re thinking seamless collaboration zones, equipped with all the advanced tech your workforce needs to work efficiently with any of their teammates, no matter where they might be.
Checklist 5 - Biophilia, lit. love of life
That’s right, it’s our all-time fave design trend :)
Biophilia, for the uninitiated, is all about surrounding ourselves with nature and natural elements, and its popularity in interior design of all kinds continues to soar into 2024.
From the Greek for “love” and “life”, the term biophilia was coined by psychoanalyst Erich Fromm , who described it as the “passionate love of life and all that is alive”.
And, much more than a passing fad, experts believe that our want - and need - to be connected to the natural world is actually ingrained in our DNA.
While we don’t know to what extent that’s true, with greenery now adorning our home, work and public spaces in increasing degrees, we’ve all felt the calming power of planting and natural materials first-hand.
When it comes specifically to the workplace, research has shown that biophilia can reduce stress, boost creativity and enhance overall well-being among employees.
Additionally, it can lead to increased job satisfaction, improved concentration and reduced absenteeism; enhance employee retention, contribute to a positive brand image and demonstrate your businesses’ commitment both to environmental sustainability and workplace wellbeing.
What’s not to love?
So - how futureproof is your office?
Moving into 2024, office design will continue to evolve and reflect advancements in technology, the changing expectations of employees and the ongoing pursuit of healthier, more sustainable workspaces for all.
The future of the workspace is flexible, inclusive and designed to enhance collaboration and productivity - but we know that not everyone is quite there yet!
