Every year office design trends evolve, offering businesses new and innovative ways to improve their space. Last year we saw some fantastic workspace design trends, from the famous Google effect to the use of natural elements. This time around, we have seen a wealth of stunning designs and forward-thinking concepts that have lived up to our high expectations. So, could some of new trends for 2017 be making their way into your office soon?

Office Design Trend #1: Work ‘Zones’

Last year businesses were striving for a super collaborative work environment, where offices knocked down the walls and aimed for an entirely open plan office design. This year, there is much more of a balance between collaborative and private work, as businesses are now looking into work zones.

These zones are designed so that employees can choose whether they want to work together or get away from unwanted distractions. For example, the more collaborative and social working zones would look like an office breakout area, whilst zones designated to privacy would be in cubicle areas or even office pods.

This trend is great for both productivity and staff happiness, as it allows people to choose a mode of working which suites them the best.

Office Design Trend #2: Customisation

Although this trend started to make an appearance in 2016, it’s in 2017 that the idea of a customisable workspace design is going to really take off. With customisable office furniture such as ergonomic office chairs and height adjustable desks on the rise, it’s hard to ignore that employees want to tailor their office experience to suit them.

For example, height adjustable desks are designed for those who prefer to spend a portion of their working day standing up. While that may sound uncomfortable for some, it is worth noting that standing up can have several health benefits, including less obesity risk, longer life and better posture.

Allowing employees to tailor their office experience to suit them is perhaps a significant insight into how both furniture and work practices are evolving.

Office Design Trend #3: Office colours

Office colours and shades can play a huge part in how effective your office interior design is, and this year is no different. For a comprehensive colour guide, check out Pantone’s 2017 recommendations. Pantone offer a range of colours which are accompanied by handy descriptions, helping you to create the ideal environment for you employees. For example, to create a calming environment, a pale blue colour such as Island Paradise is recommended. For a warm, welcoming office, you could go for Primrose Yellow.

It is worth nothing, though, that particularly bold colours should be combined with complimentary shades to avoid overkill. This means that rather than just splashing neon paint across your office, you’ll need to find the right balance of colours with different tones. A great way of using the latest trending colours is by combining it with the latest zones trend, so your office colours can be used to influence zones to perform a certain way.

Pantone’s colour of the year is Greenery due to the fact that it evokes nature, which brings us onto our next trend…

Office Design Trend #4: Biophilic Design

A trend that’s also carried on from 2016 is the idea of the bringing the outdoors into your office, and this is known as the biophilic design.

With most employees spending over eight hours a day at work, it’s hard to find the time to experience the calming ambiance of nature. However, the biophillic design brings the outside in with plants, walls of foliage and natural light, thus helping to relax employees.

Central to the biophillic office design is the green colour scheme, which is said to reduce stress due to the calming psychological impact it has on employees.

Office Design Trend #5: The Smart Office

We now live in an era where new technologies are becoming more mobile, to the point we can actually integrate them with our office furniture. New office tech desks are a recent example of how offices are moving towards the smart office.

The idea of the smart office is to have everything technologically integrated, so employees can switch their working styles. Employees will have plenty of freedom to choose what to work off from the usual desktop to your mobile phone, but it would all have to be connected so you can access what you need at a whim.

This level of customisation is also great for welcoming millennials into the workplace, as they’re well accustomed to using technology.

Office Design Trend #6: The Home Office Look

We spend so much time in the office that we could consider it a second home, which is why the residential trend is so popular. From sleeping pods to homely feeling kitchen spaces, little flairs of the residential look can do wonders for your overall office space design.

The best area of your office to push the envelope with residential themes would be the breakout area, as employees are likely to relate home with relaxation. Soft office seating solutions such as sofas and beanbags can really emphasise that, as it gives off the feeling of a living room.

Office Design Trend #7: Workspace Culture

Research conducted by Haworth Research early last year showed that the workplace is often seen as a cost rather than anything else, meaning that workplace culture has been completely neglected in the past. The issue with this is that culture is unique to every company, which can be a clients’ deciding factor on whether they feel they can do business with you.

Developing a culture is an important part of becoming an effective business, as is reflecting that culture through your office interiors. In a recent development businesses have tried to incorporate elements of their culture through office space design, but too many have followed giant companies with completely different identities.

Everybody wants to be Google, Twitter or Facebook, but the problem is that these companies may have a completely different ethos. Stand out through your workspace design and let your interiors reflect your culture or, better yet – improve it.

I you’re in need of more inspiration for your office revamp, make sure you check out the ‘Our Work’ page on the Rap Interiors website.

Rap interiors are an award winning office design company that excel at delivering phenomenal interiors nationally. From the interior design process to the complete commercial fit out and refurbishment, we aim to deliver innovative spaces that suit your company ethos. For a free consultation, contact us today on 0333 600 1234 or email refurb@rapinteriors.co.uk