As we enter 2020 and begin a new year in our lives, we also begin a new year in our workplace. A new year can bring a lot of changes for a company, but one change that isn’t talked about often enough is design changes. Organizations everywhere are discovering new and innovative ways to save money, increase productivity, and boost morale with creative workplace design. Here are the most popular workplace design trends for 2020.

TOP 5 MUST-KNOW WORKPLACE DESIGN TRENDS

From sustainability upgrades to functional design changes, there are several workplace design trends currently dominating the marketplace. The top design trends you should be aware of will be advantageous to your company in more ways than one. The following five trends are the biggest trends to consider if you’re looking to upgrade or re-design your facility this year.

SUSTAINABILITY IMPROVEMENTS

In 2020, we’ll continue to see an increase in efficiency improvements and sustainability in workplace design. Sustainability improvements can include:

• Workstation furniture and materials with strong sustainable credentials
• Sustainably sourced wood and natural accents for interior design
• Window improvements to improve insulation
• Control upgrades to control lighting, temperature, etc.
• LED lighting retrofits and upgrades

FLEXIBLE WORKSPACES

Flexible design can be interpreted as many different things:

• A Variety of Spaces. One of the most important trends in office design today is variety. Employees like the freedom and flexibility to choose different workspaces designed for different activities. They don’t want to be confined to a desk space. Areas like couches, quiet pods, communal tables, and formal meeting rooms can allow employees to work from anywhere, not just their desks.
• Multi-Functioning Workspaces. Workspaces today are designed with the idea that a space could be used for multiple purposes. A space should be transformable in order to meet changing worker needs. Furniture needs to be lightweight and easily moveable. If you have a collaborative office design, furniture should move easily in case employees need alone time to focus on a project. Examples of multi-functional elements in workplaces include desks that double as presentation boards or large tables that can be converted into chairs.
• The Unconventional Space. In the past, there are certain areas of an office that would not even be considered as spaces to work from. They were simply extra space. Now, areas like corridors, window ledges, or even open space under the stairs are being used as extra workspaces where employees can escape their desk for a while.

NATURAL LIGHT FIXTURES

Workers crave natural light to keep them motivated throughout the day. In fact, studies show that daylight increases productivity. The same study reported that workers in an environment with optimized natural light reported and 84 percent drop in symptoms of eyestrain, headaches, and blurred vision.

LEDs are about as close to natural light as you can get. While you can try and make sure you have as many windows as possible in your facility, LEDs aren’t just becoming popular because they increase productivity. They can also result in huge savings on your energy bills. If you haven’t invested in a lighting upgrade for your facility recently, consider installing LEDs in 2020.

MODERN AND OPEN

The open-concept office design isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, but employers are beginning to focus on personalized, private spaces for employees. All employees have different needs. A company who values their employees realizes this and accommodates to each person’s needs. This means modular offices, lounge areas, and office equipment like standing desks, ergonomic chairs, and so on.

WOODEN FEATURES

Wood is back, and for good reason. Not only does it look great, but it’s also another way for building owners to place an emphasis on sustainability. Designers and contractors are increasingly incorporating sustainably sourced, recycled wood into the interiors of buildings. It gives your building a more environmentally friendly and authentic feel, plus, it actually is an environmentally friendly material!

WORK WITH THE FACILITY IMPROVEMENT SPECIALISTS AT SKILLED SERVICES FOR YOUR NEXT PROJECT

All in all, a workplace should be a place where employees feel comfortable. At Skilled Services, we know how to improve facilities using the best design techniques and craftsmanship. Whether you are looking for an open space design, efficiency upgrades, or new workstation furniture, our team has you covered for your next project. Contact us today to learn more and get started.