The design of an office has slowly been changing over the years, but recently, those changes are becoming more pronounced. Long gone are the days of placing a desk, chair, and file cabinet in a square room the size of a box or merely cramming a few dozen desks and computers into one large noisy room.
These newer changes have been a long time coming, as companies realise that their employees can work better if they have spaces to recharge and re-energise throughout the day. Of course, employees understand the same thing, which is why they are incorporating many of the new office designs into their own home offices!

Here are the top trends in office design:

 

A Plethora of Technological Options

Almost every office utilises technology in some form or another, but nowadays, companies and employees want everything that is available to them. Moreover, they do not want to work too hard to use any of it! Everyone should imagine placing his or her smartphone or tablet on a table and have it charge automatically without needing to be plugged in. Screens can rise out of floors or down from ceilings for virtual meetings with those who are on the other side of the world, and computers integrated into almost any area of the building.

Spaces Dedicated to Relaxation

Relaxation is vital for many people, as most of them find that they work better after fifteen to thirty minutes of downtime. In the old days, some people would venture out for a walk or just put their heads down on their desk for a nap. However, in today’s world, employees want to spend their downtime having fun in a bright and cheery space. A few companies are already incorporating game rooms, gardens filled with fragrant flowers, and little cafés into their workspaces and the trend is picking up speed tremendously. Before long, every company will offer these spaces, so that employees will always have a place to go when they need a few minutes to regroup.

Flexible Work Spaces

Flexible workspaces can be less intimidating to those who are working with a deadline because they do not need to stare at the four white walls that are surrounding them. Instead, they can wander down to the conference room, or down to the lounge or another open space to continue their work. These workspaces are also perfect for group projects and collaborating with others, as everyone will have room to spread out and get their job done. While boring tables and chairs will generally put in these spaces, many companies are choosing to fill them with comfortable chairs that can be separated or grouped, as well as small coffee tables or ottomans. A few companies have even placed bean bags, hammocks, and floor pillows in little nooks in these areas so that everyone can work in the way that is best for them.

Spaces for Being Active

Not every company wants to deal with maintaining a gym and other workout equipment, but that doesn’t mean that they cannot incorporate a space where their employees can be active. This area can be a large room that people can use to do a few yoga positions, sit down to meditate, or walk around to get their creative juices flowing again. Companies that do not have a lot of empty spaces for this type of room will get creative on their own by allowing desks that move from sitting to standing positions or even those that can be wheeled around as people walk around their office or another workstation.

Consultation Spaces for Different Relaxation Services

There are times when employees never seem to have any spare time to think about their health and well-being, which is why many companies are bringing different relaxation services into the workplace. Newly dedicated workspaces for massage therapy, acupuncture sessions, chiropractor appointments, and even holistic medicine treatments. Employees can use these services at any time during their workday, as well as before or after work. It eliminates them from needing to make another stop on their way to work or on their way home, essentially saving them time and money.

These newer office trends are surprising, and it is easy to see why both companies and employees are embracing them wholeheartedly. As companies are adding more of these more modern trends to their buildings, they will find themselves using many different materials that they may have in the past. Glass dividers or portable green dividers will replace solid walls, while lightweight and free furniture will replace all those large pieces. Plants and other green items will be scattered about, creating fresher air and a better ambience for everyone who works there.

It is easy to see why these office trends will be sticking around, but everyone should prepare for even better options in just a few more years because there are better things yet to come.