The past few years have had a huge impact on the way we work and live. After many were forced to work from home during lockdown, the working landscape has had to evolve to adapt to the new expectations of workers and how the office should be.
While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it does mean that the workplace has had to take on an entirely new identity for 2023. Companies now need to be far better equipped to support their workforce wherever they are working. The rise in hybrid working means companies have had to offer engaging and exciting environments to compete with the benefits of working from home.
Here are some of the key design trends to watch out for in 2023...
1. Sustainability
Sustainability is a growing trend across the whole industry, however it has moved significantly higher up the list of many businesses and, as a result, commercial interiors. Looking for ways to make offices more sustainable, be it through the materials used within the space, or the day-to-day running of the office.
Sustainable design within an office space goes far beyond offering a handful of recycling bins. Creating environments that align with CSR initiatives and other sustainable goals should be at the heart of each design consideration.
There are many ways to achieve this; taking advantage of natural light and using LED lighting are a great start. Re-purposed furniture and sticking to low-emission materials are great tools to add to your belt.
Another great way to incorporate an element of sustainability within your office design is to use local suppliers – not only is this a fantastic way to circle money back into the local economy, but it also lessens your businesses’ environmental impact. Consider materials such as stainless steel, bio-plastics and wood within your design to help you nail this office trend.
2. Flexibility
As working from home and hybrid schemes continue in popularity, the new offices coming into 2023 need to accommodate this new way of flexible working and connectivity.
Remote working offers a multitude of benefits to a workforce and is expected to remain in popularity over the coming years, meaning that a strong office design is arguably more important than ever to encourage staff to visit. This will push traditional office design to become more innovative and offer staff things they can’t access at home.
Agile workspaces such as private booths, benches and breakout areas will become more important to accommodate the fluctuating headcount in your office. Instead of one large open space filled with desks – which has often been the norm within traditional office design - the new settings should consider the wider purpose of your business and how you can maximise your space to ensure staff remain engaged and productive throughout the workday.
3. Neurodiversity
As well as sustainability, ensuring commercial designs offer inclusivity for its workers is another key design consideration that should not be forgotten about. Neurodiversity refers to the way each of our brains function in different environments and how we process information. ADHD, autism, and dyslexia are some examples of neurodiverse conditions that need to be carefully considered and addressed within your office design.
Office designs should offer employees the option of where they feel they can best conduct their work, depending on their personal needs. In the same way that religious considerations have been incorporated more frequently over recent years through prayer rooms and the like, the workplace is now becoming better equipped to support its workforce and their needs.
When we consider how much time is spent in the workplace, considering how our environments can support your workforce is a critical factor in boosting your staff wellbeing and productivity, which is ultimately a huge green tick for your company. Consider offering quiet work zones, dedicated sound and light controls and a careful use of certain colours and materials to help create calming spaces.
Do you want to freshen up your office, commercial space or residential property? Get in touch with info@styledinteriors.co.uk or visit www.styledinteriordesign.co.uk.
Styled Interior Design is part of The SDDE Smith Group.
