Innovative businesses looking to create an office built for the future of work?
We’ve got your back here, with our breakdown of 7 of the most important future office design trends around.
Covering multi-sensory and modular, integrated and inclusive, resimercial, biophilia and more, embracing these trends will help you shape a sustainable workplace environment that is adaptable and deeply attuned to the needs of the people who use it - a sophisticated, multifunctional and human-centric space that’s built for tomorrow.
Let’s dive in!
Resimercial principles at Inc Spaces and Wrigleys Solicitors by Design Tonic
1. Like Home, but at Work - the Evolution of Resimercial Design
When it comes to commercial spaces, there’s no curbing the popularity of resimercial.
And little wonder - as a design trend, its benefits are clear.
Fusing the functional with a touch of home comfort creates workplaces that instantly feel relaxed and inviting - long-stay environments that encourage conversation and idea generation, with warm schemes, tactile fabrics and comfortable furnishings that are a million miles from the sterile, single-purpose offices of old.
The results are many, varied and proven, from better employee morale, creativity and productivity to the ability to attract and retain top talent to an added vibrancy to your corporate culture as a whole.
How to nail resimercial:
- Use soft furnishings like sofas and armchairs, coffee tables and rugs to create relaxed, lounge-like areas within the office.
- Harness the power of biophilia (more below) to enhance well-being and reduce stress.
- Opt for soft, ambient lighting, matching tone and lumen to each zone.
- Allow employees to personalise their workspaces with their own items.
Our favourite resimercial design ideas right now?
We love smart furniture and accessories, bought or bespoke by our talented team, that looks like home but works like work - think:
- Cosy chairs with built-in outlets.
- Beautiful media walls with hidden wiring and integrated lighting (see above - custom-crafted by Design Tonic!); and
- Feature pendant lights with acoustic properties, like those we built into our scheme for Wrigleys Solicitors (above).
And let’s not forget one of our all-time favourite changes to the workplace; the four-legged revolution that’s seeing us bring our pets to work - and create spaces to make them as happy as our employees with their environment!
Read more from us on this four-legged trend here
Multisensory design at Wizu Workplace by Design Tonic
2. The importance of Multisensory Design at work
Modern offices are more holistic than ever before and future workspaces will continue to evolve in how we acknowledge these complex interactions between our senses and the spaces around us, creating spaces which are mentally and physically restorative for employees.
By positively engaging all five senses with elements that appeal to sight, sound, touch, smell and even taste, we can enhance the well-being and productivity of employees and create more comfortable and efficient workspaces.
How?
- Visual elements such as natural light, carefully-chosen colour schemes and artwork can inspire creativity and reduce eye strain.
- Acoustic treatments and soundscapes can manage noise levels, fostering concentration and minimising distractions.
- Textural variety in furniture and surfaces provides tactile stimulation, adding comfort and interest to the environment.
- Incorporating scents, whether through plants or subtle fragrances, can influence mood and cognitive function, promoting a sense of calm and focus.
- And, offering a variety of healthy snacks and beverages caters to taste, supporting physical health and morale.
Learn more on how to design neurodiverse-friendly offices here
3. Modularity = Adaptability for your Office
We’ve talked many times before about how critical flexibility is to futureproof your workspace, and choosing modular furniture is one of the easiest ways to ensure you can quickly and efficiently respond to changing needs and workstyles.
Versatile, interchangeable components that can be easily reconfigured to suit different tasks and team dynamics can be almost anything you use to fit out an office space - from desks, chairs and storage to moveable walls and partitions that allow for the creation of focused private areas or team-centric open spaces as needed.
Modularity is also brilliant for ambitious companies, its scalability making it easy to expand offices and/or tweak layouts with minimal disruption - also promoting sustainability by reducing the need for permanent alterations and minimising waste.
Modularity and Booths at 26 Digital by Design Tonic
4. Future Offices are Smart
We all know this, of course - tech has been revolutionising the workplace for a long time now.
And yet, the scope of smart office innovations - and the need to cleverly integrate them in design terms so our seamless aesthetics aren’t affected - never fail to amaze us.
From building in IoT (Internet of Things) elements to control the comfort and efficiency of our offices to slimline screens that switch between displaying artworks, playing music and facilitating remote meetings and webinars, the potential offered by smart office elements is endless.
One of our favourites?
The concept of custom booths and cubes - cosy private spaces geared for different types of solo tasks, fully equipped with screens, desks and connectivity, and complete with acoustic dampening properties and camera-friendly lighting to create the perfect multi-tasking super spot.
A biophilic scheme of dreams at White Rose Education
5. A Natural Connection at Work
No round-up of future office design trends would be complete without biophilia, an aesthetic principle that’s going nowhere!
Connecting office spaces with the natural world is one of our favourite things to do here at Design Tonic - we’re well known for draping our out-of-this-world spaces with all shapes and sizes of stunning, lush greenery, filling them with natural materials and making the most of every ray of sunlight.
And - just in case you don’t know - the benefits of biophilia are well worth the effort.
Shown to reduce stress, improve focus, boost creativity and just generally make everyone feel happier, biophilic interiors also show you as an employer with a strong commitment to both the wellbeing of your employees and environment too.
How do you create these healthier and more inspiring work environments?
The principles of biophilic design include:
Maximising natural light through large windows, skylights and open spaces to help regulate circadian rhythms, improve mood and increase productivity.
- Integrating greenery - real or faux - to calm and reduce stress.
- Using natural materials like wood and stone in furniture, flooring and decor to bring a sense of warmth and connection to nature.
- Providing access to views of nature, whether through windows overlooking greenery or interior designs featuring nature-inspired artwork, to enhance mental well-being.
- Incorporating organic shapes and patterns, such as flowing lines and fractal designs, to create a relaxed and good-looking environment.
- Using colours inspired by nature, such as greens, blues and earth tones, to foster a sense of tranquillity and balance.
- Ensuring good ventilation and air quality through natural ventilation systems and air-purifying plants to support overall health and cognitive function.
- Including a variety of natural textures in the workspace to add tactile interest and comfort, promoting a more engaging sensory experience.
Phoenox Textiles - a sustainable space by Design Tonic
6. Sustainability at Work: Designing for the Future of All
Finally, less of a trend and more of a necessity, sustainability and wellness are two cornerstones of the future of the workspace, reflecting a broader societal shift to the holistic health of our people and our wider world.
How can we be more sustainable at work?
Environmentally-friendly design practices include:
- Integrating energy-efficient lighting, HVAC systems and building materials to reduce environmental impact.
- Using low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints and materials to improve indoor air quality.
- Choosing mindful materials, furnishings and textiles - think recycled, repurposed, circular and sustainable.
- Incorporating dedicated recycling stations and introducing waste reduction programmes to promote sustainable behaviours within your workforce.
- Choosing workspaces with green building certifications like BREEAM or LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) to ensure they meet high standards of sustainability.
Read our fit-out guide for a sustainable office design here
7. Inclusivity for Everyone at Work
Prioritising inclusivity in workplace design, especially for disabled and neurodiverse individuals, is not just a moral imperative but a strategic advantage to our future workspaces.
By creating environments where everyone can thrive, we help every employee feel valued and supported, leading to higher job satisfaction, increased productivity and a more innovative and collaborative work environment.
Harness the power of your neurodiverse employees through design with our expert tips
Inclusive design ensures that all employees, regardless of their physical abilities or neurological differences, have equal access to workspaces and resources, fostering a diverse and productive environment.
Quiet zones and contemplative spaces at Search Labs by Design Tonic
But where do you start? Here’s our inclusive design checklist:
- Work to universal design principles - making sure your spaces are usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialised design. Think wider access, ramps, adjustable desks and accessible facilities.
- Providing adjustable and ergonomic furniture helps accommodate various physical needs and preferences.
- Designing sensory-friendly environments is crucial for neurodiverse employees. This includes quiet zones with minimal distractions, areas with soft lighting and spaces with sound-absorbing materials to reduce noise levels. Flexible workspaces that allow for personalisation can also help meet diverse sensory needs.
- Touchless controls, assistive tech (speech-to-text software, screen readers and hearing loop systems) and voice-activated systems can be integrated into your design to enhance accessibility.
- Flexible and adaptable layouts allow spaces to be easily reconfigured to meet the needs of different individuals and teams.
- Design elements like visible signage in multiple formats (braille, large print) and clear, consistent wayfinding help everyone to get around your workspace.
