Where is office design headed in 2020? Not so much in completely new directions, but look for a doubling down on the trends of the past few years.

Open Office Plans

It’s not fair to call the open office a new idea … the legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright first came up with the concept in the late 1930s. But companies have embraced open plans as never before over the past several years, because they foster teamwork and collaboration (and sometimes reduces construction costs … fewer walls). The open office is here to stay for the foreseeable future, but …

Flexible Spaces

For all the benefits of an open plan, there are times when privacy is called for. And many companies have come to realize that it doesn’t make sense to build big conference rooms that sit vacant for most of the day. For those reasons and more, a wide variety of solutions have arisen to answer the need for flexible spaces. These range from modular furniture to privacy pods to moveable walls that allow businesses to reconfigure without the time and expense of construction or renovation.

Home Sweet Home

“Resimercial” is another buzzword that continues to gain traction. As the name would imply, this movement brings residential-style furnishings and appointments to commercial settings. Like the open office, resimercial settings are conducive to better collaboration, but the benefits go beyond that … there’s evidence showing real increases in productivity and job satisfaction when workers operate in a comfortable setting.

The Great Outdoors

Biophilic design brings outdoor elements into the office environment, from plant walls to waterfalls. Combined with a greater emphasis on natural light in workspaces, the overall trend is away from closed-in spaces with those dreaded fluorescent lights. Again, there are numerous benefits to both wellness and productivity associated with natural settings and natural light.

Questions about the right design for your workplace? Contact Office Images.