Corporate office design trends you need to know for 2022

Office trends have changed significantly since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, efficiency, functionality, and comfort will take center stage in office design. Here are the top 7 trends we are seeing for corporate office design in the coming year:

1. Biophilic design

We’ve talked a lot about the importance of biophilic design when designing your office space. Essentially, biophilic design focuses on incorporating elements of nature throughout your office space. Whether you have access to an outdoor space or not, every office can embrace biophilic design.

2022 is the time to stray away from rows of desks and artificial lighting. Look to incorporate natural materials like wood, water, and plants into your office space. This can be done by using materials like wood, bamboo, or stone, or including waterfalls, fish tanks, and plants. Even if your space struggles with natural lighting, there are many low maintenance plants that thrive in low light areas like cacti and snake plants.

It doesn’t stop there—increasing natural lighting and improving airflow and air quality are vital to executing biophilic design. Sometimes it’s not possible to put in a few extra windows, so increasing artificial lighting is equally as effective.

Biophilic design has been shown to reduce stress, improve focus, boost creativity, and improve overall well being. With the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on employers and employees alike, implementing nature elements will be more important than ever. Start small by implementing one or two elements and build throughout the year.

2. Merge the comfort of the home to the office

People have grown accustomed to working from the comfort of their own home, so comfort needs to be a top priority for your 2022 office.

Some on trend ways to bring the comfort if the home to the office include:

• Plush carpeting

• Comfortable seating

• Warm lighting

• Curtains

• Indoor plants

• Outdoor seating (if applicable)

If you were one of the many people who worked from home, think about your own habits. Did you stay at your desk all day or did you move from room to room? 45% of teleworkers regularly work from the couch and 38% work from bed. While we don’t recommend installing mattresses in your workspace, a plush couch is a great option for those that need a break from a traditional desk.

3. Sustainability will be a priority

Environmental impact of materials is becoming increasingly important to employees, employers, and designers alike. Being eco-friendly means that every item you purchase for your space is thoughtfully chosen to not negatively impact the environment.

Sustainability is very important to us at Furngully. Maintaining a healthy planet is just as important as designing a beautiful workplace, which is why we work with eco-conscious manufacturers that use products from sustainable materials and are carbon neutral.

Aside from sustainable materials, an eco-friendly office should focus on energy efficiency. LED lighting and increased access to natural lighting are not only energy efficient, but also increase productivity for employees.

4. Neutrals aren't going away anytime soon

Neutrals are tried and true, which is why they continue to be an office design trend for 2022. Off-whites, tans, and beiges instantly make an office feel more comfortable and home-like, which is vital for a successful office space.

When deciding on paint, desks, and other furniture, focus on neutral colors and natural wood tones. For a pop of color, take a look at your company’s brand palette to choose the perfect accent.

When deciding on a color palette, take into consideration the landscape around you. If your space is in a business center or high rise surrounded by grey tones, consider adding in more color through chairs and couches to brighten up the space. On the other hand, if your space has a lot of natural light and is surrounded by plants and trees, whites and textures will bring the space to life.

5. An emphasis on noise reduction

In open and transformable offices, noise is inevitable but it can be controlled. When there is a lot of noise, it can be hard for people to concentrate and be productive.

A great first step to controlling the noise in your office is to take a look at your flooring. Carpets play an important role in creating a quiet working environment. Other sound absorbing materials like acoustic partitions, rugs, and even plants can help quiet down a room.

6. Flexible working space

Employees want options when it comes to their work space—they don’t want to feel like they are locked in one room all day. Implement unassigned work stations, cafe areas, casual areas with couches, formal conference rooms, or other gathering spaces for employees to work.

The goal of a flexible workspace is options. One employee may perform better at a dedicated desk while someone else may thrive in a coffee house style setting. Flexible work spaces produce more dedicated, efficient, and productive employees.

7. Easily transformable office

Telecommuting is becoming the standard across the county, so your office needs to adapt to combined work so remote workers can easily come and go. Convertible offices where not every employee has a personal workplace are a great option for hybrid workforces.

There are a lot of benefits that come with transformable office spaces, but there is one clear winner: cost. Transformable offices are a cost effective option because they take up less space, but also allow for more employees to be in the office. So if every employee decides to come into the office on the same day, there won’t be any issues!

On-trend. On-time. On-budget.

COVID-19 has drastically changed office design. To sum it up, office spaces in 2022 will be more sustainable, incorporate elements of the home, prioritize comfort, and work for both virtual and in-person workers alike. No matter where you’re at in the design process, our team at Furngully is here to help. You come with a vision and we’ll bring it to life on-time, on-budget, and on-trend. Get in touch with us here.