10 Office Design Trends That Will Keep Employees Happy In 2023
Written by Cristina Villalón
ABOUT THE AUTHOR | Cristina Villalón is the Co-Founder and Managing Principal at Álvarez-Díaz & Villalón. She directs both the Interior Design and Visual Merchandising divisions while overseeing all decisions made on a day-to-day basis at the firm.
OFFICE EXPERIENCE IS A KEY DRIVER IN INFLUENCING EMPLOYEES’ PREFERENCES TO WORK AT THE OFFICE INSTEAD OF VIRTUALLY.
This year’s office design trends cater to employees’ well-being and desire for choice, sustainability, comfort, flexibility, and variety.
Take a look at the types of trending design experiences that are driving employees to do their best work:
1. SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainable design is trending in the workplace because it enhances the user experience, boosts productivity, and improves quality of life while reducing demands on the environment.
Sustainably designed offices incorporate more natural light, enjoy cleaner air, and purified water, as well as efficient energy-saving systems and processes. They also include recycling and compost bins for different materials.
Sustainable design focuses on saving energy and natural resources while increasing the well-being of those who work in the spaces we design. Sustainable design is not a trend, it is a best practice.
2. BIOPHILIC DESIGN
In 2023, offices are taking biophilic design to the next level. Since biophilic design stems from our instinctive bond with nature and natural elements, offices are increasingly incorporating nature in multiple ways; through natural forms, colors, textures, and larger windows. Some popular biophilic design elements include natural materials, natural light, living walls, and wood slat panels.
Studies show that offices with biophilic design promote employee well-being by reducing stress, promoting physical, mental, and emotional health, boosting energy and creativity and improving employee performance and job satisfaction. In addition, by incorporating natural elements in the office, businesses are counteracting employee burnout and fomenting an environment for clear, focused thinking.
3. QUALITY AMENITIES
Quality office amenities are no longer optional in 2023. Traditional workplace amenities were designed for functionality alone. But today, offices are reimagining amenities to be more than just functional. Investing in amenities that employees want is another way to attract great talent.
Quality amenities like cafés, snack bars, libraries, and lounge areas are being incorporated into the workplace. These amenities create highly effective and varied workspaces that contribute to a better experience while letting employees know that you care about their needs and comfort.
4. FUNCTIONALITY
Offices designed with functionality in mind can boost employee productivity and morale exponentially. Functional offices provide workers with accessible spaces and equipment to do their job comfortably and effectively.
In 2023, expect to see offices designed with controlled office acoustics, integrated outlets, and moveable furniture that allow employees to focus, collaborate, and get creative!
5. TECH INTEGRATION
Effective workplaces successfully support both virtual and collaborative work. Offices are now designed to integrate tech. Smartboards, televisions, conference cameras, surround speakers, and tech-enhanced furniture can be found in almost every space.
Businesses are also creating designated areas for new technology like Virtual Reality and podcasting. Our connection to the virtual world keeps getting stronger; therefore, offices must be equipped and ready for both traditional and emerging technologies.
6. MODULAR & DYNAMIC SPACES
Say goodbye to fixed workspaces in 2023. Employees are looking for hybrid spaces and dynamic systems that adapt to their flexible work styles, as work becomes more mobile.
Offices are incorporating flexible products such as mobile partitions, rolling and modular furniture, writable and pinnable walls, height-adjustable desks, rolling tables, and tables with integrated wireless power. These products empower workers to modify their environment based on their evolving needs.
By giving employees these tweakable tools, they can easily have fluid workspaces that adapt to individuals and teams and make the necessary changes to be more collaborative, comfortable, and, ultimately, more productive throughout the day.
7. INDIVIDUAL WORKSPACES
Another office trend is designated focus areas. People need spaces that allow them to concentrate on their work at the office. These spaces are free from noise, visual distractions, and interruptions, allowing for deep concentration.
Providing alternate spaces for individuals to choose where to work within the office fosters a more effective workspace, better work experience, and individual performance.
8. COLLABORATIVE SPACES
Effective workplaces support both individual and collaborative work. In 2023, offices are adding more collaboration spaces like conference rooms, pin-up spaces, and open work areas to provide a range of flexible settings that allow people to collaborate more effectively with accessible tools to get their work done.
Collaborative workspaces can facilitate connections among employees, improve communication, assist in team building, and strengthen employee engagement.
9. MAKER SPACES & LABS
Offices in 2023 are seeing more maker spaces or special labs. These are spaces designed to support hands-on discovery and exploration. These spaces vary depending upon the industry but can range from robotic labs to 3D printers, fabrication equipment, or even small batch manufacturing tools. Maker spaces and labs are essential to harvest in-house creativity and innovation.
10. SPACES TO UNWIND & RECHARGE
Mental health and self-care have never been more important, in and out of the office. That’s why meditation or renewal rooms are another office trend. These rooms are designed to give employees a quiet space to relax, meditate or take a moment to reset.
They usually feature yoga mats, hammocks, massage chairs, pod furniture, couches, or plants. Renewal rooms and other relaxation spaces can combat cognitive fatigue, lower stress levels, and improve job performance. In addition, some companies have found that meditative spaces refresh their employees and spark creativity.
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE
These 2023 office design trends reaffirm that the new role of the workplace is not only a place to get work done but a place to foster connection, collaboration, and growth. Areas for individual work, creative group work, and places to reflect and restore, significantly impact workplace effectiveness and experience.
The office has a vital role to play in the future of work. It all depends on how we cater to employees’ needs and create the best spaces that make it easy for individuals and teams to focus and connect.
A quality, healthy, sustainable, and dynamic office where everything is designed to spark creativity, foster collaboration, and respect individual work styles will continue to set the tone for workplace trends in 2023 and the years to come.
Editor’s Note: This blog post was originally published in 2017 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.