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Over the last few years offices and workspaces have no doubt been through a series of reinvention and reorganisation. Shaking off the old year and walking into the new one, we may be feeling grateful for the changes and flexibility we now have in our working lives. Working from home (WFH) no longer feels like a request and working remotely is now possible in many far-flung exotic locations. Now the office will almost certainly feel a little more settled, inviting and comfortable. It seems we have hit a good balance.
With the hybrid and remote working model firmly rooted in to our culture, offices and specifically office furniture is adapting and evolving to meet the needs of modern business and workers.
So, what trends can we expect to see in 2024?
In this blog we look to uncover and discover the 2024 trends and changes in work patterns that influence these trends.
Flexibility, health and wellbeing, sustainability and smart technology will be at the forefront in 2024. Office furniture manufactures will continue to create flexible, modular, ergonomic and eco-friendly products incorporated with the latest technology; perhaps even voice activated chairs? ‘Hello chair, please adjust seat height to next level’.
We can also expect the boundaries between office and residential designs to continue to blur and merge as companies continue to try to create spaces that feel more like home.
This evolving trend is often referred to as the ‘hotelification of the office’ drawing inspiration from the hospitality industry, where the focus is on providing a range of services and amenities and services to employees to create a comfortable and productive working environment.
Biophilic elements will also be prominent as businesses seek to connect workers with nature to create calming environments. Expect to see more natural materials, living walls, greenery and lighting that mimics outdoor light.
We can also expect to see more acoustic solutions at the forefront of 2024 which support the new way of working and having meetings in less formal spaces, such as a dining hub or coffee area where sounds can often be distracting.
So after that quick overview, let’s dig a little deeper and uncover the new office furniture trends for 2024!
Flexible, moveable, and modular furniture
Office spaces are rapidly evolving to become more dynamic and collaborative. Gone are the days of static cubicles and closed-off conference rooms. To support agile working styles, office furniture in 2024 will focus on modular, movable designs that allow for reconfiguration as needed.
Our Altro Coworking mobile workstation for example can be moved easily and the castors can be locked down when in position. This type of desk solution is ideal when trying to create a flexible workspace which can be reconfigured easily. The Altro desktop can also be set to two different heights allowing a workable desk height and a more sociable bar height for meetings or events.
Wellbeing and Ergonomics
Workplace wellness will be a top priority for office furniture in 2024. With some intense work becoming more sedentary and screen-focused, furniture that encourages movement, correct posture, and overall wellbeing will be in high demand.
Although the trend for ergonomic furniture has been prominent for many years now we can still expect to see advances in ergonomic technology. Some operator chairs may feature apps which track your time spent in the seated position and notifications to remind you to move or stretch.
Height adjustable desks allow you to sit or stand throughout the day, reducing back strain and increasing circulation and alertness. Ergonomic chairs provide adjustable lumbar support, encourage correct spinal alignment, and promote good posture when sitting for long periods of time.
Other wellness-focused furniture may include stability balls or disc seats to engage core muscle movement and improve balance as well as focus while working. Treadmill or cycling desks allow you to walk or pedal while working at your computer, adding physical activity into the workday.
Monitor arms will be adjustable to bring screens to an optimal height and distance for neck comfort.
The emphasis on wellness and ergonomic design reflects the understanding that healthy, supported workers are more focused, engaged, and productive. Expect workplace wellness to be a major theme in 2024 office furniture.
Sustainability
Companies are shifting to more environmentally-friendly practices across their entire supply chain. From sourcing sustainable materials to low-waste manufacturing. Sustainability is becoming ingrained in the DNA of office furniture manufacturers.
We can also expect to see greater use of recycled and upcycled materials in office furniture. Reclaimed wood, plastic derived from ocean debris, and upholstery made from reused textiles are growing in popularity. These eco-friendly materials reduce the environmental impact compared to virgin materials.
Our acoustic partner Buzzi Space uses a colorful felt on their acoustic lights and room dividers consisting of 100% upcycled plastic bottle waste, materials that are both good for the planet and acoustics.
Biophilic Design
Biophilic design focuses on bringing natural elements and connections to nature into office environments. This promotes harmony between the built space and the natural world using materials, lighting, views, plants, art, and patterns that reflect nature.
Research shows that biophilic design in offices reduces stress, improves well-being and productivity. Key elements of biophilic office design include:
– Incorporating a diversity of natural shapes and forms through sinuous architectural details and organic-looking wood furniture. Flowing lines and asymmetry found in nature are calming and pleasing. Our Stave moss paneled reception desk is a good example of showcasing organic and biophilic examples into the workplace.
– introducing natural materials like stone, reclaimed wood, bamboo, cork, wool, and cotton in furnishings, finishes, and interior architecture. These tactile and comforting materials connect us to the environment.
– Adding living green walls, moss panels, potted greenery, and green spaces. Caring for plants fosters nurturing feelings.
– Using biomorphic shapes and natural patterns in carpets, screens, acoustic wall panels, and artwork. Organic motifs are calming.
– Letting in fresh outdoor air regularly. Natural ventilation invigorates and connects us to the outdoors.
Acoustic solutions, acoustic pods and acoustic booths:
Acoustic solutions such as pods and booths, seen as a trend a few years ago will still be on trend in 2024. Acoustic pods and booths will become standard in open plan areas as employee demand for privacy crystalizes. Remote and hybrid working helped highlight and develop a new purpose for the office. Instead of being a place just to work the office is now considered a ‘destination’ where staff can come in and work but also socialise. The Hybrid workers may expect higher levels of privacy where they can focus or pop into an acoustic phone booth to make a call.
We expect to see more simplistic pods such as the Halo 4 person pod (kitted out with power sockets, USB’s and ethernet ports with incorporated air fan) to be more prominent during 2024
We also anticipate that there will be a greater need for people to connect with others via Teams or Zoom using their mobiles or laptops. Acoustic phone booths such as the Penelope Phone Booth feature a perch and table offering a great deal of user comfort during long conversations or one-to-one Zoom calls.
In conclusion, office furniture trends during 2024 will fuse purpose and style to provide the ideal back drop for an adaptable, inclusive and progressive work culture centered around human needs. The office has been going through a transformative stage for the last few years and the furniture that populated it has been adapted and reconfigured.
At some point, we thought the physical office due to WFH may be a thing of the past.
As we enter 2024 it seems the office will still be used and utilised, but in a different way. More and more employee needs are being understood through these new work patterns and the office is now a blend of domestic and commercial, this has been hailed as the ‘hotelification’ of workspaces.
The office used to be a place where everybody came to work but now the office is a place that works for everybody.
Now that’s progress.
Happy New Year!
Share
An exclusive product to complement a huge range of interiors. Share is a cutting edge, faceted, standard product reception desk like no other. The bold innovative geometric styling offers a truly unique aesthetic with echoes of a crystalline formation and the purity of a glacier. The clarity of the thinking extends to the finishes, with invite available as standard across the board in the shear unbroken Corain® including the latest in DeepColour™ technology.
Each model is constructed from a number of reconfigurable sections selected to achieve the ideal desk design and size for your space, without incurring the additional costs of a bespoke solution.