Important Trends in Workplace Environments

Today’s younger workforce takes pride in living an unconventional lifestyle that lacks the structure and restrictions of previous generations. They also have an outsized influence on interior design in contemporary office space — particularly changes that seem to include a greater awareness of how an environment’s physical design, including its décor, influences the state of mind of the people who work there.

Studies and surveys show design really does have a profound effect on our state of mind and ultimately our performance. A recent study showed 77% claimed art makes them feel happier, 74% said it inspired them and 27% indicated pleasing décor improved their productivity.

Non-conventional Work Spaces

At Larner’s Office Furniture we offer furniture lines and accessories that feature beautiful and thoughtful design. We’re seeing a design renaissance across a host of industries, almost like we’re thinking about it for the very first time. It all goes back to the ways work is changing. Since workers can do work from anyplace, it makes sense the places they choose should reflect their personalities in some way, be pleasant to look at, and be conducive to concentration and focus.

Modern industrial design is answering these challenges by building a market that entwines form and function the way it did for smartphones when they began changing our lives “back in the day.” Just as an example, you might not be sold on standing desks just yet, but they’re probably the most visible example of this push toward ergonomically sensible and aesthetically attractive office design. Turns out you can have it all.

High Technology Is Here To Stay

Technology isn’t about interior decorating per se, but there’s no question advancements on the technological front are related to the other trends we’re talking about here. With a younger workforce in mind, the modern office is now a home to some of the slickest technology you’ll see anywhere.

If you happen upon a company staffed largely with younger individuals — even if the business is only tangentially related to technology itself — you’re likely to see:

• Wireless keyboards
• Mice and headsets
• Personal laptops
• Netbooks
• Tablets and smartphones
• Dual monitor setups
• Smartboards

The Out Sized Influence Of Technology

Yes, technology is here to stay — and in addition to being a kind of design trend on its own, it’s also influencing the footprint and construction of the areas in which we perform our work duties. As technology equipment has shrunk in size and grown more mobile, it’s also shrunk our workplaces. The modern office is less likely to have large personal areas, for the reasons mentioned earlier and also because computer towers and sprawling phone systems are increasingly uncommon.

Technology also means the workplace is becoming far less centralized — we’re having meetings all over the place now, and we often take our technology with us when we go.

Beyond A Paycheck

Today’s workforce has an increasingly long list of things more important at work than the paycheck. This is another area where businesses need to navigate their way into uncharted territory by providing more flexible work hours, paid parental leave and, yes, a comfy and well-appointed workplace.