With the new year approaching quickly, let’s take a look at the top 5 office design trends predicted by leading industry designers and manufacturers.

1. Collaborative Zones

As office environments recover from the pandemic, it seems that working from home is here to stay. However, this doesn’t mean that offices have become redundant, they just have changed and will continue to do so in 2023. The key difference that the industry has noticed is the switch in focus from workstations to collaboration zones. When employees spent almost all their working hours in an office, most of their time was spent working solo at a desk. Now the option of working from home has been more widely introduced thanks to Covid, focused work is often done at home and so the role of an office environment has changed and is now to bring co-workers together and encourage collaboration, sharing ideas and inspiration by communication.

  • Emerson Collaboration Table pictured with Carys Upholstered Stools
  • Corral Configuration pictured with Xavi coffee table and Imari chairs
  • Corral Configuration pictured with Arby table and Arby stools
  • Arby Meeting table pictured with Rocco pouffes

It is common for there to be dedicated spaces in an office environment to encourage working together and generating ideas, and it is often useful for this space to be away from desks to avoid distractions too. In 2023, we are sure to see an increase in offices embracing the power of collaboration, as employees who work together as a team are much stronger and more efficient. Collaboration zones are all about allowing employees to communicate and brainstorm easily away from disruption and embrace a team spirit.

2. Sustainability

Sustainability is an ever-increasing factor to consider in workplace design. More than just a trend, sustainability is always, and always will be important. It is everyone’s responsibility to make sure that more eco-conscious products are being designed, specified, and manufactured. However, not only is the industry conscious of the materials used in to make their office furniture, but there is also increasing awareness about energy sources and production methods being sustainable. It is more important than ever for businesses to take responsibility for their carbon output and ensure that they are offsetting any carbon they produce.

As a society, we are continuously becoming more aware of our impact on the environment, and this means that employers are searching for products for their workplace that are environmentally friendly and will last. It is important to look for products that are manufactured using renewable resources, or from companies who are Climate Positive (offsetting 110% of their overall carbon output).

This movement has evolved as consumers become more aware and educated, and so naturally and will continue to build momentum as we move into 2023.

3. Technology

2023 will for sure see office environments adapt to support the increasing needs of flexible or hybrid working and consider areas for video conference meetings, to ensure staff stay connected whether they are working remotely or in the office. Whether it is with customers, suppliers or other team members, video calling platforms are now a daily staple for modern employees. Now that we have discovered the beauty of staying connected miles apart, it is time for workplaces to not only accommodate, but embrace technology in the office, and furniture requirements reflect this.

  • Corral Configuration with integrated media/ screen box

The use of smart technology is sure to make a regular appearance in office environments more widely in 2023. A great example of this is height adjustable desks, which can be operated remotely via Bluetooth, allowing employees to remotely adjust their desk height from their smartphones. The app can also measure sitting/standing time, which encourages employees to monitor their wellness at work through technology.

4. Biophilia

Becoming increasingly on-trend in the past few years, it looks like Biophilia in the office is here to stay. Employees are happier in an environment filled with cleaner air and surrounded by nature as surveys have proven. Mood-boosting, aesthetically pleasing and a brilliant pop of colour – what more could you want?

Now biophilia isn’t only limited to potted plants. It can include embracing natural light in design, sounds, and even scents from the natural world, which we are set to see more of in 2023, with Employee Wellness being the most important factor. You can also introduce biophilia in a more subtle manner, for example through moss panels on a storage wall, which can be integrated easily and effectively.

5. Colour Theory

With employee’s wellbeing always at the forefront of workplace design, this year is set to welcome vivid colours as accents to office environments. Designers are using colour theory to influence mood, energy, stimulate creativity and even increase concentration levels of employees. Colour can be introduced through upholstery or metal finishes, or even something as simple as a cushion. In an office environment, effective use of colour psychology can also play a big part in creating a productive and harmonious workplace, by understanding colour and the effects it has on us.