IN the past, the office has often been pictured as a drab place where everything is uniform and unattractive as it only serves one purpose — a place to work. Formica desks, pokey cubicles and harsh fluorescent lights are not only unattractive but have an effect on one’s attitude toward work.

Because of this, employees are eager to get work done or hope to end their shift sooner so they can leave such a place only to go through the same routine the next day and so on.

As times change, so has the attitude toward workplaces as these are now being beautified. Office lobbies are dressed up with carefully curated art pieces, work areas have been reconfigured, and suitable and better fixtures have been added, and co-working spaces are becoming a trend. It does not only make the workplace attractive, but it also lifts the spirits of the tenants, employees and guests.

Artwork

“Form follows function,” a maxim coined by renowned American architect Louis Sullivan, might seem counterintuitive when introducing art pieces into the design of the workplace considering it has no significant function.

Many studies conducted would refute that notion. These studies have revealed that installing thoughtfully chosen artwork in the workplace can improve physical and psychological well-being which, in effect, can boost interpersonal relationships in a workplace’s occupants.

Gone are the days when people walk into an office building that only has blank walls. Office lobbies are now adorned with carefully curated art pieces in various forms. This makes people feel like they are not entering a drab structure, but rather like a classy hotel that is warm and inviting.

Interior designer Alice Erfe of Erfe & Associates said, “Art in office buildings creates focal points of interest, enhances the space, inspires and provides a visual statement.” She added: “Art is very effective in main lobbies, reception areas, hallways, lounges and executive private offices. [It] enhances the space, adds colors, textures and reflects the client’s good taste and preferences.”

Art pieces are differentiating factors for office buildings. This can help building owners elevate the ambiance of their properties, spurring visual interest and promoting tranquility. Going back to Sullivan’s maxim: form indeed follows function — the function to impress guests who visit, to elevate these spaces to the next level, and, more importantly, to improve the morale of the employees who hold office there.

Fixtures

Beauty, sustainability and comfort are the current standards for new modern office design. As businesses become more dynamic, they need offices that reignite collaboration and confidence. Rapidly changing technologies, wellness-centered solutions and comfort are the new focus.

Interior designers for the workplace are working to meet these changing trends. The designs must reflect a cohesive brand environment that celebrates innovation, and the company’s corporate culture and vision.

Nowadays, employees no longer want to work in onesize-fits-all spaces. Instead, contemporary workspaces are needed to boost performance and productivity, attract talented recruits, retain talent, reduce absences and tardiness.

With that in mind, these following trends now define what people look for in an ideal office space to be able to produce the above-mentioned results — open plan floorplates, domesticated spaces, integrating nature, a sense of community, sustainable interior design, modular office design, lighting and experience-driven spaces.

There is a need for personalized and private space to give employees a comfortable and conducive space to make them literally feel at home. There is an innate need for people to connect with nature. As such, adding greenery, painting the walls with vibrant colors to reduce stress. The configuration of the workspace is now done in such a way to foster more interaction. The addition of hangouts like lounges, cafés, bars and breakout spaces can help create that sense of community. Using sustainable materials not only protects the environment but also promotes good health among tenants in the building.

Even the furniture matters. Employees would like something to make them feel comfortable when they work. Some offices furnish the workspace with more comfortable furniture that can be non-traditional in the office like bean bag chairs, couches with comforters, among others. Even the lighting is taken into account as they are no longer limited to fluorescent lights. Lighting of varying brightness helps provide balance which, in turn, creates favorable moods.

Co-working spaces

Another trend in designing office space is the co-working spaces. These are more than just places of work. They also serve as community centers, collaboration hubs and social spaces all rolled into one. These are characterized by shared facilities, services and tools. As such, the layout and design must reflect the need for shared and open spaces that would allow more interaction rather than isolation.

For interior designers, coworking spaces have to create a balance. Office environments should foster productivity but also collaboration, appealing to both introverts and extroverts. The operative word is “flexibility.” While it encourages socialization, it should also allow individuals to have personal spaces to allow them to focus.

All in all, offices today are a far cry from those in the past where it was strictly a workplace. Nowadays, relative comfort is the goal to ensure productivity from artwork to personal nooks.