Blog Post

We’re nearly at the end of a decade and about to start a new one – but what will this mean for office design? Thames Contracts specialise in high-quality office refurbishment projects and refits in Barnet, Hitchin, Potters Bar and many other locations in and around north London. We like to keep in touch with current industry trends, so here we look at five developments in office design which are predicted to be big next year.

Bringing the Indoors Outdoors

The need to bring the outdoors indoors, or biophilia, is a long-established trend in office design. Now, however, the process is also going the other way, with increasing numbers of businesses looking to create external workspaces, which means that staff can still enjoy the fresh air while remaining healthy and productive.

For instance, if your company has a patio or a courtyard, then this can be transformed into an al fresco work area, with stylish, durable furniture which can withstand the worst of any winter weather.

Flexible Workspaces

Traditional fixed desks and workstations are increasingly a design of the past, as companies look for more multifunctional workspaces. So the same area of the office could be used for a small informal meeting, an interview or a breakout space where you can have a coffee.

This becomes much easier if you can alter the area to the needs of the moment. At Thames Contracts we specialise in supplying and installing glass partitioning in offices in and around London, which makes it easy to switch the space from one function to another.

Don’t Forget the Need for Privacy

Many office tasks still require privacy or, at the very least, a reduction in office noise as an aid to concentration. As well as glass partitioning, next year businesses are likely to invest in more shielded, single-person furniture, such as booths, pods and high-backed acoustic furniture, so staff can get on with the job in hand without any distractions.

Green Fixtures and Fittings…

Synthetic materials such as acrylic and plastics, plus fur, leather and other animal products, all used to dominate in workplace fixtures and fittings. However, over the next few years, demand for these materials is predicted to decrease in favour of more eco-friendly alternatives, such as organic cotton, hemp, jute, muslin and bamboo. This will all help the company reduce its carbon footprint.

Equally, wood is predicted to enjoy a resurgence in popularity in office design, as it provides a solid and homely feel to any working environment. The Millennial workforce increasingly wants to work in an environment which has been sustainably designed – and employers need to reflect this, or risk missing out on the top talent in the marketplace.

…and Green Walls

Next year, companies are predicted to continue the trend for making sure their offices have plenty of plants and vegetation incorporated into the design. This can range from allowing staff to have plants near their desk, to positioning shrubs in communal areas, to creating a whole wall of vertical vegetation. The plants will help improve the air quality as well as.

One new twist on this already popular trend could see innovative office designers hang plants from the ceiling, which is useful if floor space is at a premium or if the walls are required for another purpose, such as a staff noticeboard.

Office Refurbishments from Thames Contracts

Whatever type of trend you want to fit into your office design, Thames Contracts will be able to help. We have three decades of experience in the layout of workspaces in office fitouts and refurbishments in Barnet, Hatfield, Borehamwood and many other locations in London and Hertfordshire.

We start off by visiting your premises to discuss your requirements, then come up with a range of designs so you can pick the one which best fits your needs. The price will then be finalised at a pre-contract meeting, after which we will provide you with a single point of contact to guide you through the whole project. We will agree a schedule of works with you to ensure that any disruption is kept to a minimum, and we only use highly reputable tradespeople.

If you would like to know more about our office design services, follow this link and fill in the online form, or call us on 020 8368 0045.