Research is continuously being conducted on ways to work better and smarter, and office design is a key feature of this research — to identify the best environments, the best colours and the best facilities to optimise employee comfort and productivity whilst also keeping up with changing workforce needs, changing market demands and changing fashions.

The end of the year is an ideal opportunity to look towards the coming months and the trends we’re expecting to see emerge in 2020. 

Sustainability

Sustainability and green office spaces continue to be at the forefront of design initiatives and this shows no sign of abating as we head into 2020. Expect continued integration of recycled, sustainable materials such as bamboo, recycled wood and repurposed plastics, as well as an emphasis on energy efficiency and ecological compliance.

Biophilic design

Related to sustainability is biophilic design — design inspired by the natural world and its incorporation into interior spaces. We expect the biophilic interior design trend to enjoy continued popularity in 2020, with a focus on the inclusion of natural light, plants, organic and natural materials and even water features.

Modularity

The open office is a stalwart of current office design trends and this won’t be changing any time soon. Employees are also becoming ever more agile, with flexible working still on the rise. For these reasons, workspaces are becoming increasingly reactive, and modular design is really having a moment. Moveable furniture, adaptable meeting spaces and even temporary partitioning will all be useful features of workplaces in 2020.

Home from home

It is certainly not news that people’s personal and professional lives are becoming heavily entangled and we’re spending more time at the office than ever before. Office space design is reacting to this by moving towards the creation of a ‘home from home’ feel, with social spaces, comfortable break out areas, gyms and even games rooms and homely kitchens. Expect this trend to continue well into 2020 and beyond.

Inclusivity

As the workforce continues to diversify, the creation of inclusive workplaces is now a necessity. Aside from simply being a legal requirement, spaces designed with physical and mental diversity in mind are crucial to ensuring employees feel mentally safe and physically able as they navigate the office environment.