Staying up-to-date with trend forecasts for 2024 is crucial for industry professionals seeking to create dynamic and forward-thinking work environments. A lot of publications will post their predictions, so I've taken a look at what's out there and collated what we feel are the headline take-aways.
Flexible Workspaces
With the increasing prevalence of hybrid work arrangements, our office spaces are evolving to embrace flexibility. In 2024, fluidity is emerging as a prominent trend, characterised by adaptable layouts incorporating movable partitions, versatile seating, and modular furniture. These designs are crafted to accommodate changing needs of companies such as fostering collaboration and supporting hybrid working. The dynamic environments aim to cater to diverse work styles, ensuring functionality that enhances productivity and creativity across the entire workforce.
Biophilic Design (again)
Biophilic Design takes centre stage once again, emphasising the integration of nature into the workplace. More than ever, the significance of biophilia in office environments is underscored by its huge impact on employee wellbeing and productivity. Incorporating natural elements like plants, natural light and organic materials not only enhances the aesthetics of the workspace but also contributes to stress reduction, improved focus, and overall job satisfaction. Furniture such as desks and tables no longer need to be rectangular. Including products that mimic the shapes and textures of the natural world will provide comfort, flexibility and most importantly, a connection to the outdoors. Like I say, this has been an upward trend for the last few years, certainly accelerated by Covid and WFH. It is now proving to be a helpful factor in attracting staff back to the office post-remote working.
The Round Table Renaissance
One office trend you may not have seen coming is the resurgence of round tables. Beyond the pleasing aesthetic of curved edges, a circular table holds a special significance in areas where employees come together. Reflecting values of equality, the act of gathering around a round table signifies a space where every team member is on equal footing in terms of self-expression and mutual respect. It's a call to break down boundaries through intentional and considerate design. Round tables offer improved sightlines, allowing everyone at the table to see and engage with each other more easily. This facilitates more inclusive and interactive communication, as opposed to rectangular tables where individuals at the ends may feel more detached from the central discussions. As I mentioned earlier, curves and rounded edges are a nod to the natural world. The circular shape is often associated with natural forms, such as the sun, moon, and planetary orbits. This association with nature can evoke a sense of harmony and balance as well as a symbol of unity and cohesion.
Glass Partitioning & Pods
In contemporary office design, the use of glass partitioning stands offers a host of advantages. It's a cost-effective alternative to traditional walls and facilitates an open and transparent atmosphere, fostering connectivity among team members. By harnessing the benefits of natural light, glass partitions enhance the overall brightness of the workspace while still preserving privacy.
Similar to glass partitioning systems, we predict a big year for pods. The incorporation of pods in open-plan offices has emerged as a viable solution, addressing diverse needs and enhancing the overall functionality of the workspace. The main benefit lies in privacy - pods provide users with dedicated spaces for focused work, confidential conversations with a colleague, or personal phone calls, mitigating the challenges of open-plan environments. These enclosed spaces also facilitate ad-hoc discussions, fostering collaboration without the need for a traditional meeting room. The design of these pods has evolved beyond the conventional telephone booth style, with more modern versions available in a wide range of materials and fabrics. These enhancements contribute to aesthetic appeal and also play a role in acoustics and comfort. Utilising sound-absorbing materials ensures that confidential discussions remain private, while thoughtful design choices, such as HEPA filters, ergonomic seating and ample natural light, create a conducive environment for focused work.
Colour Trends for 2024
Neutral tones such as soft greys, warm beiges, and muted earthy tones will continue to be popular for creating calming and versatile office environments. These colours are ideal when it comes to providing a neutral backdrop that complements different design elements. From reading across a number of publications, it appears that blue hues, pastel shades and pops of colour among more muted tones will be popular in 2024.
The above image is a great representation of the colour palette and office design that we will see more of next year. Firstly, many of the pieces have castors on them to allow for reconfiguration, i.e. flexibility. The users of this furniture may vary from day to day depending on who is in the office and what they require the space for. Secondly, the featured products are far softer and more comfortable than we would have seen pre-pandemic. This is a deliberate choice to make commercial spaces more domestic. Some in the industry call this resimercial.
In addition to the product, you can see the earthy, calming neutral colour palette throughout the fabric, wood, flooring and wall colours. Biophilia is represented through the planter to the very left and the plants distributed throughout the storage shelving. The space is then punctuated with vibrant colours like the red and yellow soft seating. There has been a growing interest in incorporating pops of bold colours, such as deep blues, rich greens, and energetic yellows. These lively accents can add a sense of vitality and creativity to the workspace.
In Architectural Digest's colour trends for 2024, they suggest a shift towards soothing blues in the year ahead. The mention of misty sky-like shades and bolder hues inspired by the sea and twilight indicates a diverse spectrum within the blue colour palette. This variety in blue tones aligns with the continued popularity of calming and nature-inspired colours in interior design.
In a competitive job market, offering an aesthetically pleasing and comfortable work environment becomes a crucial factor in attracting and retaining top talent. Potential employees are drawn to workplaces that they may feel boosts their well-being and offers a positive atmosphere.
Staying up-to-date with trend forecasts for 2024 is crucial for industry professionals seeking to create dynamic and forward-thinking work environments. A lot of publications will post their predictions, so I've taken a look at what's out there and collated what we feel are the headline take-aways.
Flexible Workspaces
With the increasing prevalence of hybrid work arrangements, our office spaces are evolving to embrace flexibility. In 2024, fluidity is emerging as a prominent trend, characterised by adaptable layouts incorporating movable partitions, versatile seating, and modular furniture. These designs are crafted to accommodate changing needs of companies such as fostering collaboration and supporting hybrid working. The dynamic environments aim to cater to diverse work styles, ensuring functionality that enhances productivity and creativity across the entire workforce.
Biophilic Design (again)
Biophilic Design takes centre stage once again, emphasising the integration of nature into the workplace. More than ever, the significance of biophilia in office environments is underscored by its huge impact on employee wellbeing and productivity. Incorporating natural elements like plants, natural light and organic materials not only enhances the aesthetics of the workspace but also contributes to stress reduction, improved focus, and overall job satisfaction. Furniture such as desks and tables no longer need to be rectangular. Including products that mimic the shapes and textures of the natural world will provide comfort, flexibility and most importantly, a connection to the outdoors. Like I say, this has been an upward trend for the last few years, certainly accelerated by Covid and WFH. It is now proving to be a helpful factor in attracting staff back to the office post-remote working.
The Round Table Renaissance
One office trend you may not have seen coming is the resurgence of round tables. Beyond the pleasing aesthetic of curved edges, a circular table holds a special significance in areas where employees come together. Reflecting values of equality, the act of gathering around a round table signifies a space where every team member is on equal footing in terms of self-expression and mutual respect. It's a call to break down boundaries through intentional and considerate design. Round tables offer improved sightlines, allowing everyone at the table to see and engage with each other more easily. This facilitates more inclusive and interactive communication, as opposed to rectangular tables where individuals at the ends may feel more detached from the central discussions. As I mentioned earlier, curves and rounded edges are a nod to the natural world. The circular shape is often associated with natural forms, such as the sun, moon, and planetary orbits. This association with nature can evoke a sense of harmony and balance as well as a symbol of unity and cohesion.
Glass Partitioning & Pods
In contemporary office design, the use of glass partitioning stands offers a host of advantages. It's a cost-effective alternative to traditional walls and facilitates an open and transparent atmosphere, fostering connectivity among team members. By harnessing the benefits of natural light, glass partitions enhance the overall brightness of the workspace while still preserving privacy.
Similar to glass partitioning systems, we predict a big year for pods. The incorporation of pods in open-plan offices has emerged as a viable solution, addressing diverse needs and enhancing the overall functionality of the workspace. The main benefit lies in privacy - pods provide users with dedicated spaces for focused work, confidential conversations with a colleague, or personal phone calls, mitigating the challenges of open-plan environments. These enclosed spaces also facilitate ad-hoc discussions, fostering collaboration without the need for a traditional meeting room. The design of these pods has evolved beyond the conventional telephone booth style, with more modern versions available in a wide range of materials and fabrics. These enhancements contribute to aesthetic appeal and also play a role in acoustics and comfort. Utilising sound-absorbing materials ensures that confidential discussions remain private, while thoughtful design choices, such as HEPA filters, ergonomic seating and ample natural light, create a conducive environment for focused work.
Colour Trends for 2024
Neutral tones such as soft greys, warm beiges, and muted earthy tones will continue to be popular for creating calming and versatile office environments. These colours are ideal when it comes to providing a neutral backdrop that complements different design elements. From reading across a number of publications, it appears that blue hues, pastel shades and pops of colour among more muted tones will be popular in 2024.
The above image is a great representation of the colour palette and office design that we will see more of next year. Firstly, many of the pieces have castors on them to allow for reconfiguration, i.e. flexibility. The users of this furniture may vary from day to day depending on who is in the office and what they require the space for. Secondly, the featured products are far softer and more comfortable than we would have seen pre-pandemic. This is a deliberate choice to make commercial spaces more domestic. Some in the industry call this resimercial.
In addition to the product, you can see the earthy, calming neutral colour palette throughout the fabric, wood, flooring and wall colours. Biophilia is represented through the planter to the very left and the plants distributed throughout the storage shelving. The space is then punctuated with vibrant colours like the red and yellow soft seating. There has been a growing interest in incorporating pops of bold colours, such as deep blues, rich greens, and energetic yellows. These lively accents can add a sense of vitality and creativity to the workspace.
In Architectural Digest's colour trends for 2024, they suggest a shift towards soothing blues in the year ahead. The mention of misty sky-like shades and bolder hues inspired by the sea and twilight indicates a diverse spectrum within the blue colour palette. This variety in blue tones aligns with the continued popularity of calming and nature-inspired colours in interior design.
In a competitive job market, offering an aesthetically pleasing and comfortable work environment becomes a crucial factor in attracting and retaining top talent. Potential employees are drawn to workplaces that they may feel boosts their well-being and offers a positive atmosphere.
