Go back just ten years and you'll find yourself in a uniform office filled with endless rows of personality-sapping desks. Thankfully, the modern-day office stands in stark contrast to its not-too-distant predecessor.
Although there was a period where the office didn't see much (if any) change, every year now brings with it new furniture, layout and décor trends. The past decade has seen bright open-plan designs, sit-stand desks, social spaces and hot-desking all make their way into the workplace.
With 2019 just around the corner, what office design trends are to come in the New Year? Mark Brown, Owner of Lismark Office Products looks ahead to the office design trends expected in 2019.
Open plan and flexible layouts have brought a whole host of benefits to businesses, but their social atmosphere is often criticised for its difficulty in handling private meetings or tasks that require concentration.
To remedy the problem, 2019 will see booths take over offices. Booths and private pods are an excellent way to escape the office hustle and bustle without even leaving the room. Their acoustic qualities mean that they offer an excellent space for meetings or for working without interruption.
Individual private work pods zone out surrounding noise, making them the ideal place to work by yourself in peace while larger booths can fit more than one person so are great for small informal gatherings or meetings.
Humans are hardwired to be drawn to nature, and being surrounded by greenery and fresh air is a wellknown mood booster. Research also shows that productivity can be increased by as much as 15 per cent by adding some plants to the office.
Living green walls, planters and indoor trees are just some of the ways offices can incorporate much-needed natural elements in the workplace. The splashes of green contribute to creating a stress-free and sustainable atmosphere.
It simply makes sense to add some green to your office in 2019.
The workplace is no longer content with fixed spaces that are restricted to certain tasks, instead, space is becoming more flexible with areas designed for a variety of tasks. Versatile rooms and areas remove restrictions and can be used for informal meetings, phone calls, private work or even just a break away from work.
Multifunctional areas provide flexibility and an alternative environment to the traditional desk. Scattered bean bags and comfortable sofas can double up as both a setting for relaxation and a workspace for cross-department idea sharing.
Laptops and cloud computing allow employees to work wherever they are and multifunctional areas encourage productivity away from the desk. 2019 will see more companies, especially those in the creative industries, create open-plan breakout/multifunctional areas for collaboration.
Traditional brick and mortar interior walls that divide meeting rooms and working spaces are being replaced with natural dividers such as bamboo partitions and glass screens.
Natural and transparent dividers allow offices to utilise natural light levels and create a truly open space that isn't disrupted with clunky partitions. An open office can improve communication and employee happiness.