Interior Design Trends For The Future Office – 2024 And Beyond

It’s only May, but time waits for no one, particularly those involved in the business of interior office design. It’s an ever-changing landscape hallmarked by shifting trends, some old, and some entirely new, that continue to reshape offices around the globe in an effort to balance aesthetic beauty with rigorous and effective functionality. What does the future look like for interior office design as we move forward into 2024, and how long will the accompanying trends stick around for?

It’s a good question for any company seeking to give the office a new facelift, or a startup seeking to make maximum impact from day one. Sticking to the following trends will help your business get a head start before the new year arrives, so you can wow both your clients, VIPs and employees in equal measure. After all, a trendy, versatile and functional workplace can turn your second home from a monotonous grind into a model of positivity.

TECHNOLOGY GETS A BOOST IN 2024

The push for technological integration into the workplace is nothing new, and has been steadily increasing for quite some time, albeit with some difficulty. However, the streamlining of tech devices like workstations, laptops, smartphones and tablets have in turn allowed companies to embrace the digital revolution with an increasing level of zeal and enthusiasm. Nowadays, technology is practically inescapable in the modern workplace, but where exactly is it headed as we move into 2024?

Hybrid work models continue to abound in offices around the globe, though their popularity has died down in the wake of the end of the pandemic. That means companies need to be ready to deal with those who may wish to work remotely, or at the very least, a few days out of the week. Presentation screens for virtual meetings are a must, as is the technical infrastructure needed to support things like Zoom, Google Meetings or Microsoft Teams calls. Startups can save a bundle by skipping on unnecessary office furniture that may otherwise go unused, or adopting the hybrid desking model, which allows multiple employees to use a single desking unit at different times throughout the day. Existing companies looking to expand their numbers may adopt a similar principle, but for a slightly different reason – to make space for new talent, without having to consider migrating to another office unit. 

LEISURE SPACES TO WIND DOWN

The popularity of leisure spaces like game and break rooms began to swell during the 2000s, but their proliferation did get slightly out of control, forcing many Silicon Valley companies to start cutting back on the number of playtime perks offered to employees. Nevertheless, leisure spaces are still a must for combating work fatigue, reinvigorating the brain, and creating a sense of company culture and camaraderie. Don’t neglect them!

For 2024, the trends will shift towards a focus on overall positivity and atmosphere in an attempt to keep employees happy and healthy. Ping-pong tables are still a go, but they’ll instead be flanked by far more attractive surroundings that incorporate trends such as biophilic design, bold colours and contemporary aesthetics to craft a more positive feel. Art may be subjective, but the use of radical elements in leisure spaces is rooted in the concept of fun, relaxation and proactive thinking. If you’re not sure how best to approach the creation or remodeling of a leisure space, don’t worry! The experts, such as we at Sensyst, are always on hand to assist.

LESS NUMBERS, MORE HUMANS

For decades, the majority of companies viewed corporate real estate based on numerical criteria, such as how many employees one could cram into a unit, or the maximum utilization of every single square inch of available space. This, as it turns out, does not always lead to a more functional and efficient office. In fact, it can have downright negative effects on atmosphere and workplace productivity. While the need to consider numbers isn’t going to go away, forward-thinking startups and established companies are prioritizing the human element to a much greater degree.

In other words, it isn’t about how many employees your office can accommodate, but rather, how you can utilize the space to make them happy. This human-centric approach eschews the formulaic, cubicle-style mentality of yesteryear, and focuses instead on creative spaces that offer flexibility capable of refreshing employees throughout the day. By taking a human-first approach to the overall office design, you may find yourself in a better position to choose proper colour and aesthetic choices, floor layouts, and where to place key areas such as leisure and meeting rooms, etc. The modern business climate has prioritized workers to a greater degree than ever before, and treating any one of them like a number simply will not do.

THE ECONOMY AS IT RELATES TO DESIGN

It’s no secret that we are living in turbulent economic times, and this may actually have a direct impact on office design as a whole. An economy hammered incessantly by abnormally high inflation, supply chain disruptions due to geopolitical conflicts, and subsequent reshoring and restructuring of existing methods of production may cause many employees to feel as if their job is on the line. While this sentiment may be a tad overblown by all available estimates, employees may find themselves skipping out on remote work in favor of showing up at the office to remain relevant in the eyes of their employers.

This might mean a bit of office design planning in order to accommodate the subsequent shift. Perception is a powerful factor when it comes to business, and many workers may wish to give it their all in order to show themselves worthy of keeping their job, even if it may not actually be in jeopardy. You can repay the favor by focusing on creating a warm, welcoming workplace with a luxurious and comfortable feel, which will help take a lot of the edge off. After all, employees wracked with fear over job stability aren’t going to be nearly as productive, which is why it’s great practice to banish those fears with a space that caters to them. Make them feel welcome, appreciated and taken care of, and they’ll start banishing thoughts of a Friday afternoon pink slip!

CONCLUSION

2024 is guaranteed to be a year of paradigm shifts in the business world, from the adoption of AI technologies that will have drastic effects on workplaces around the globe, to a population that has only now just begun to put the specter of the pandemic in the rear-view mirror. Now is a great time to start planning for the future of office design by sticking to the tips mentioned above. 

If you’re looking to restyle and reinvigorate your office, or you’re a startup struggling to come up with an effective colour scheme, Sensyst is here to help. We’re keeping a keen eye on trends as they relate to 2024, and far beyond, and we’ll work with you to deliver an office that your employees will feel proud to trek to and from, every single day! Contact us today to learn more.