2018 is in full swing, and forward-thinking companies are paying attention to the most popular office design trends. Here are a few to keep an eye on as the new year progresses.
Customized & Versatile Spaces
Modern offices are moving beyond the extremes of cookie-cutter cubicles and completely open floor plans. Workplaces in 2018 are adapting to meet the personalized needs of employees.
For some companies, this means a shift toward activity based working, where people move to different areas throughout the day depending on what tasks they’re doing. Offices are planned and furnished with flexibility in mind, including quiet zones, breakout spaces, residential-style lounges, and open-plan stations separated with low panels or screens for privacy.
Other organizations demonstrate this trend with customized interiors featuring modular furnishings. Adjustable panels and removable architectural walls allow for endless configurations, expansions, and redesigns. And glass walls and panels take advantage of natural light, making workspaces look more spacious.
New Color Palettes
There’s no room for bland, forgettable colors in 2018’s offices. More companies – and not just hip startups – are getting bolder with their use of color, in fabrics, paints, flooring, and other furnishings. Pantone’s Color of the Year 2018 is Ultra Violet, featured in eight color palettes, is a good place to start for inspiration; it’s described as communicating “originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking that points us toward the future.”
Another trend is the incorporation of brand color and branding collateral in an office space, a design choice Rightsize Facility is increasingly seeing from its customers.
Perks for Wellness
Companies in 2018 are focused on improving the health and well-being of their employees. As the lines between work and home continue to blur, it’s more important than ever to offer workers amenities that enhance their quality of life. Sit-to-stand desks, fitness facilities, outdoor social areas, and indoor spaces with plants and natural light all contribute to a healthy and happy workplace.
