As the number of people working from home increases, employees want their office to feel like home. This means comfortable furniture, personal touches, and plenty of natural light. But it also means that office design trends are changing. On the other hand, more and more people are heading back into traditional offices, spurring demand for the latest in office furniture.
In all cases, questions are getting asked, including:
- Are there desks today that can accommodate more than one person?
- What colors and materials are popular in offices?
- What’s the most comfortable way to sit at a desk all day?
- Are there office setups that can alleviate stress?
So, in the spirit of keeping everything in the office fresh, whether it be from a conventional office or a work-at-home situation, we’ve put together a guide to the commercial office design trends for 2022.
Office Design Trends for 2022
Whether you’re working from home or going into an office each day, it’s wise to choose a creative office design. This will allow you to get all your work done in style!
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Create a Sense of Home
This one is for the growing number of people working from home. You want your office to feel like a sanctuary, somewhere you can retreat to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. To achieve this, consider adding personal touches like family photos or your favorite art piece. And make sure your furniture is comfortable enough that you’ll want to spend time there.
The furniture you choose should also reflect your personal style. If you prefer a more traditional look, opt for pieces in rich wood tones. If you prefer something more modern, go for sleek lines and glass accents. And if you want to add a pop of color, plenty of options are available in every hue imaginable. Either way, you’ll have a space that matches up with the office design trends of 2022.
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Reduce Stress with Natural Elements
No one wants to contend with a stressful work environment. So, if you’re looking to reduce stress, you could create quiet spaces where employees can go to take a break from the noise of the office.
One stressbuster is biophilic design, which refers to incorporating natural elements into the space to enhance health and productivity. It affiliates nature with modern cities and buildings. This could be something as simple as having soft colors as a theme or installing large windows that let in plenty of natural light. If that’s not an option, think about adding artificial light that mimics sunlight.
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Ergonomic Furniture
Don’t forget about the comfortable furniture. After all, how are gorgeous and trendy things all around going to help you if you can’t sit down without fatigue or pain? One of the most important things to consider when outfitting your office is ergonomics. This refers to the study of people’s efficiency in their work environment. The goal is to minimize fatigue, discomfort, and injury by optimizing furniture and equipment for the human body.
When shopping for ergonomic furniture, look for pieces that offer support and are adjustable. This way, you can always find the perfect position, whether you’re standing or sitting. This means investing in a comfortable chair that provides support for your back and neck.
You might also want to consider a standing desk, which has become increasingly popular in recent years. And if you’re going to be sitting for long periods of time, make sure your desk is at the proper height, so you don’t have to strain to reach your keyboard or mouse. If your desk is too high or low, it can cause neck and back pain.
Also, the desk should have enough space for you to spread out your work. You don’t have to spend a mint to get comfortable furniture when you buy used, either. For example, Saraval has a wide inventory selection of both new and used furniture to outfit your entire office.
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Hot Desking
Hot desking is really catching on in 2022, and it’s especially becoming popular among remote workers who don’t have a designated office space. Hot desking is where employees don’t have their own assigned desks and instead can sit anywhere they want, depending on their needs. This is possible because all their materials are stored electronically, so they can access them from any computer.
For example, if teams need to collaborate, they’ll use a meeting space. If they need to work online at a desk, they’ll just grab the first available desk. The goal is to create a flexible environment that can be adapted to different tasks.
If you want to try this open space office design, there are a few things you need to do to make it work.
- First, you need to have enough desks for everyone who wants to use them.
- Second, you need to make sure all your materials are stored electronically and can be accessed from any computer.
- And third, you need to create a system for people to sign up for desks in advance so there’s no fighting over who gets which one.
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Upgrade Accessories
Now that you have an idea of what furniture and design trends are popular for 2022, it’s time to focus on the details. This is where you can really add your personal touch and make the space feel like your own.
Start by upgrading your desk accessories. If you’re going for a more modern look, consider geometric shapes in brass or copper. Or, if you prefer something a little more fun and funkier, try colorful desk accessories in different shapes and sizes.
Also, experiment with wearables. This could be anything from a fitness tracker to a smartwatch. And don’t forget about your charging station. This is one area where you can really get creative and add some personality to the interior design of your space.
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Organize Work Areas
Disorganization can be a source of stress and a productivity killer. So, it’s important to keep your work area organized. This means having a place for everything and making sure things are put away when you’re finished with them.
One way to do this is to use storage baskets or bins. You can also use desk organizers to keep things like pens, paperclips, and other small items in their place. And if you have a lot of files and documents, consider investing in a filing cabinet or storage shelves.
Bear in mind that not everyone is good at organizing. In cases like these, there are professional organizers you can hire that can help and train you to get your office organized and set up a system that works for you.
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Keep it Safe
We live in a changing world and now more than ever one of the main trends to focus on is safety. Invest in some safety features for your office, like a security system, an emergency exit plan, and fire extinguishers. You might also want to consider first-aid kits and some sort of medical supplies in case someone gets injured. This will ensure you have a modern office interior design that’s ready for anything!
Another safety tip is to get acrylic partitions to put around your desk. These protection screens will help protect you and others from getting ill in case someone in the office is sick.
And last but not least, have a plan for what to do in case of a power outage or other emergency. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, and allowing natural light into your workspace can help tremendously during a power outage.
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Design a Work Area for Collaboration
As mentioned before, collaboration is becoming more and more important. So, it’s vital to have a space in your office where teams can come together and work on projects.
This could be anything from a simple meeting table to a full-blown open area collaborative workspace with multiple places for people to sit. It all depends on your needs and budget. But no matter what, make sure you have a space that’s comfortable and conducive to productive collaboration.
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Involve Your Staff
Don’t forget to involve your staff in the process. After all, they’re the ones who will be using the office interior space on a daily basis. Ask for their input on things like furniture, color schemes, and layout. This way, you can create a space that everyone will love.
These are just a few of the trends and tips that are popular for 2022. By following these trends, you can create a fresh and modern office space that will help you be more stylish, while also being more productive and efficient. And your employees will thank you for it!
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Use Color Psychology
An easy, positive change you can make is to involve color psychology when it’s time to paint. Choose light colors for your walls and furniture, as they tend to have a calming effect.
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Include a Nap Room
It may seem wild, but many big companies have begun to invest in nap rooms. The idea behind this is that taking a 20-minute power nap once a day can give workers a burst of productivity.
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Integrated Technology is a Must
Be sure to build an integrated workplace by including wireless cell phone chargers, smartboards, and electrical outlets at each station. Making these little touches will create a much better work environment for your team.
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Lounge Spaces and Rec Rooms
Aside from your nap room, you’re also going to want to designate space for workers to simply relax. You can also put in an air hockey table and/or foosball. By giving your workers a place to relax, you’ll end up getting much more productivity out of them.
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Activity-Based Working
This one could be the key to unleashing a better quality of work from your employees. The idea is to create an open workspace that allows employees to move around to a variety of different desk options, including a small booth or conference room. Pair this with a café atmosphere and you’ll be all set!
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Use Glass Doors and Walls
Using glass doors and walls in the office isn’t new, but it’s definitely still popular. It’s also seen as a way to demonstrate integrity and honesty, and it opens up the floor plan.
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Build an Industrial Office
If you want to do something different, why not renovate a warehouse, old factory, or any other type of industrial space? You’ll see exposed beams, pipes, and ducts, which are part of the decorating style. The color palette includes warm and rustic colors, along with a mix of grays.
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Create Some Neurodiverse Spaces
As the neurodiversity movement picks up steam, it’s important to recognize what type of office changes will help them the most. In the past, some companies didn’t hire neurodiverse candidates, but we now know that having at least a few ND minds will invariably make your business better. Creating ND spaces will give you a huge advantage in the hiring field.
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Use Any Allotted Outdoor Space
Outdoor spaces such as a rooftop garden, courtyard, or private terrace were always nice, but now they’re practically necessary if you want to hire the best candidates. Use any outdoor space that’s well-suited, and you can provide your workers with even more choices regarding where to work or take their lunch break.
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Mix Commercial and Residential Design Features
Although you’re working in a commercial building, be sure to toss in some residential design features. For instance, you could incorporate some soft spaces around the office that include a comfy chair, some throw pillows, and a nice blanket. Also, be sure to mix in some warm wood touches to pull the whole thing together.
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Go for a Bright and Clean Workspace
For far too long, workspaces have tended to be dingy and not nearly bright enough. Toss that outdated trend into the trash and create a bright, clean workspace instead. This will make your office a much better place to challenge your creativity.
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Use Lots of White to Open the Space
Even if you’re dedicated to having a minimalist environment, you can always do more with it by painting almost everything white. This will make your space feel bigger, and it should also prevent your employees from getting bogged down with negative space.
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Use Color Strategically
We’ve already mentioned the importance of color psychology. Now, let’s take a look at the smaller pieces in your office and how you can use them to keep your workers mentally stimulated. Include some pieces that are less common such as chairs that provide a big pop of color.
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Pick Out Contrasting Bookshelves
Speaking of using color strategically, you can really make the office pop by simply picking out some bookshelves. If you’ve got an office made of wood, perhaps try some blue bookshelves to make them stand out.
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Use a Tapestry Instead of Paint
Do you want to give your office a chance to really shine? Instead of painting an accent wall, how about incorporating a tapestry? Doing this will set the mood, however, so be sure you pick the right tapestry for the environment.
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Decorate with Art
Lots of businesses decorate with art, but you can tell that most of them did not put much thought into it. When you do it, you can pick out art that matches a certain theme or feel. Keep this consistent throughout your workplace to really impress your clients and guests.
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Wallpaper Makes a Difference
There have been many different color ideas in this article, but what about using wallpaper? We don’t suggest wallpapering the entire office. However, what about making a nice accent wall? Wallpaper allows you to bring in different elements than a simple colored wall.
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Rock the Neutral Space
We’ve talked about having an open floor plan and/or incorporating a lot of color into your office. Have you thought about simply going neutral, though? Sometimes, it works best to have a simple space that’s also bold and uses a neutral color palette.
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Put Books on Your Bookshelves
No matter what type of business you run, there are going to be books about it. Assemble a library of books that can answer any question you or one of your employees may have. Encourage workers to borrow books and consider making the reading of a work-related book something that can be done at the office.
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Make it Possible to Work from Home
This point won’t make your office fresher, per se, but it will give your employees something to smile about. Plus, when you have fewer people taking up a workspace, it makes the office work better, too. Zillow allows 90% of its workforce to at least occasionally work from home, and this is something that you can do, too!
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Create Pods and/or Booths for Privacy
Having a more open floor plan tends to work best for most people. When you really have to focus, though, it’s a good idea to have a booth or a pod where your employees can have a nice, quiet workspace. Be sure to build at least a couple of these into your floor plan.
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Mix New and Old Design Elements
Keeping old elements as you add new ones can make for an exciting contrast. For instance, a completely modern workplace can achieve a new look if you use wooden office furniture. Find your best blend and go for it!
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Add Some Greenery
You can add some greenery to your space with a few well-placed plants. Not only will they add a pop of color, but they’ll also help purify the air. Fractal designs can also lend an essence that is both vibrant and in tune with nature if you want to get really creative with it. The best part is that all these ideas fit into the latest office furniture trends.
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Acoustics Matter
We’re sure that everyone reading this article has experienced the difference that good or bad acoustics can make. In an office environment, you’ll want to reduce sound. Look for design elements that also have a muffling effect on natural sounds.
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Use Eye-Catching Textures
Flooring, fixtures, and/or textiles make it easy to combine a variety of eye-catching textures. This also provides your employees with another way to personalize their space. As an added bonus, this is a look that will impress clients and guests.
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Place a Huge Focus on Sustainability
Sustainability has become a huge buzzword for people who are looking for a new job. Demonstrating your commitment to sustainability will go a long way toward attracting top-tier candidates. Be aware that we’re not just talking about recycling bins. What we truly mean by sustainability includes using LED lights, high-efficiency systems, using only low-emission materials, etc.
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Create a Smart Office
If you’re remodeling your office, you might as well upgrade your environment to a smart office. Collecting and sharing data with you is one of the primary perks of using a smart office. If you use this information well, it could provide improved productivity.
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Make it Flexible
One of the most sought-after features in a workplace is flexibility. If you can create an office that can be easily scaled up or down in response to your company’s needs, you’ll have knocked making it flexible out of the park.
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Encourage Employees to Personalize Their Décor
Everyone wants to personalize their workspace. Some companies have encouraged this, while others haven’t taken a stand one way or the other. To have the happiest workers, though, you’re going to need to make it a company wide policy that everyone is encouraged to personalize their décor. You may want to consider what type of things you don’t want around the office, however, so that you may ban them.
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Build an Unusual False Ceiling
Creating a beautiful, modern office setup for 2022 means thinking about your décor in a different way. To create a welcoming and warm environment, consider adding in some false ceilings. You can even use them to store electrical fitting, which will create a natural complement to the room’s design features.
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Use Tall Shelf Partitions
Offices that use too many walls are visually disruptive and may even cut into your workers’ productivity. Therefore, you may wish to consider using a tall shelf partition instead. When you use these, you’ll achieve important elements like reducing ambient noise without harming your open floor plan.
Check Out Saraval Industries Today
Looking for new or used office furniture? Check out Saraval Industries today! Saraval has a wide range of both new and used furniture to outfit your entire office, from ergonomic chairs to stylish desks. They also offer a price match guarantee, so you can be certain you’re getting the best deal. Visit Saraval online to get a fast quote or give them a call at (888) 320-1161 today!