Modern office and workstations are a far cry from the days of old when
the work place used to be a drab and dreary place. The modern office space is
chic, happening and user friendly. They are focused on the employees wellbeing
health and work satisfaction.
Designing
interiors for commercial properties is a tricky business. The space must be
efficient and cost-effective, but also create a unique and engaging experience.
To
further compound the problem, expectations are constantly evolving, so
businesses must regularly adapt their interiors to reflect current tastes of
their consumers, visitors, and employees.
Fortunately,
some modern trends are helping them stay nimble with their designs.
1. Deep
Tones
Reflecting
the inherent beauty of nature, deep cooling tones are the flavor of the year.
Look to use charcoals and greys tinged with greens. Combine them with ivory,
stone, and taupe for balance.
If this
all seems a bit reserved, then add a few splashes of fiery paprika or zesty
lime for color.
2.
Super-scale and geometric patterns
Small-scale
designs have long been expected from hotel or hospital flooring around the
country. But expect to see them phased out over 2013 in favor of more dramatic,
large-scale, geometric patterns.
These
striking designs help business create a true design statement that expresses
personality and makes a lasting impression on visitors.
3. Form
over function
It used
to be that cost was the primary factor influencing decisions to purchase office
furniture. However, with an ever-increasing focus on ergonomic design, the
furniture in a modern workplace needs to be comfortable as well as
cost-effective.
Expect
to see more features like adjustable arms and head rests on office seating, as
well as the emergence of standing height desks.
In
addition, consumers are looking for quality — and commercial furniture is
changing to reflect this by incorporating more durable materials like rustic
woods, metal finishes, and tempered glass.
4.
Quirky combinations
Interior
designers today are moving away from obvious formulaic themes and instead
including a variety of unexpected quirky touches to make each space unique.
A
pertinent example is the rise of non-matching floor tiles, which, though it may
sound bizarre, can look great if applied in the right way.
5.
Dual-purpose designs
A
consequence of all this prolonged budget tightening means that business are
constantly looking for new ways to save money. Commercial interiors offer a
host of possibilities, as reflected in the growing popularity of multi-purpose
designs.
Examples
of this economic ingenuity can be seen in filing cabinets with slide-out seats
that accommodate those spur-of-the-moment business meetings. Even lounge chairs
have tablet arms, so employees don’t have to be at a desk to work.
6.
Eco-builds
With
corporations coming under increasing pressure to meet social obligations, there
is a drive towards promoting eco-friendly commercial designs.
While
glass use has generally been considered a mark of energy inefficiency, new
advances in window design mean that this is no longer the case — glass looks
set to become a staple of future eco-builds.
Consider
installing photovoltaic glass, which has the next generation of solar cells
incorporated directly into the window surface. This allows a once power-sapping
design feature to begin generating its own energy.
7.
Collaboration — not isolation
In an
era of increasing interaction and constant communication, the modern worker is
no longer willing to remain isolated in a tiny cubicle with no access to
natural light. As a result, commercial spaces are moving toward a more
collaborative approach, changing their interior design layout to create more
open workspaces.
Desks
are separated with low or transparent panels, or these partitions are removed
altogether in favor of circular workstations that promote an increase in
communication and knowledge transfer.
Of
course, for most commercial properties it’s not possible or practical to
conduct regular full-scale refurbishments. Instead, the emphasis is on making
smaller changes — a shift in the furniture layout or a new coat of paint – that
can make all the difference without breaking the bank.






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