More than just a matter of space planning and design within your office, employees’ desks are a hub of production and are a major impact on staff satisfaction. It is therefore essential to be informed with the latest trends surrounding desks and workstations to maximise the happiness and productivity of employees. From desk layout to materials and usage, the possibilities are endless. Using five recent Interactive Space case studies, we’ve highlighted the most recent desk trends in office design to ensure that you stay ahead of the curve in 2017.
5 – The Return of Personal Working Spaces
Open-plan offices have been popular for nearly 10 years – there are indeed many benefits to them, including the creation of an inclusive and collaborative working environment. However, since the emergence of their popularity, offices reliance on technology has increased and there are now more distractions than ever. Resultantly, some companies are reverting to more atomised office layouts that favour segregated workspaces. One such example include the new office at the Monex head office on Bartholomew lane, which utilises desk dividers to form smaller working environments. Giving teams a small amount of privacy might make it easier to concentrate on their tasks, improving not only their efficiency but also their productivity.
4 – Out with Tradition and in with Innovation.
Tech brands have long utilised a ‘work where you please’ policy for their staff, giving them the freedom to choose where they set up office for the day. As a result, people are less inclined to stick rigidly to the traditional office desk and are embracing everything from kitchen tables to picnic benches – see the recent project for EDC Communications – in an effort to mix things up and keep people happy. Expect that to continue this year, as millenials strive for flexibility. Generally speaking, a happy employee is a productive employee, so offering variation is sure to pay off.
3 – The Age of the Desk Pod
With the increased reliance on technology, escaping distractions won’t be easy in 2017 and beyond. One way companies are confronting the challenge is through desk pods, such as those we created at one of the world’s largest advertising and communications companies, Dentsu London. These pods are an additional workspace option for employees, and encourages flexibility and variation in the workplace. As well as improving concentration, the desk pods can be made extremely comfortable. And remember, comfortable employees are happy employees.
2 – Standing Desks
We spend longer in front of screens than ever before, and, as a result, more of us experience back pain due to poor posture. That’s why we expect to see a sharp spike in the trend of standing desks. The project for the Salamanca Group incorporates a bar-type desk for informal meetings and quick bursts of work. Not only is this good for your posture but in some studies people have been proven to be more productive when they stand. The longer employees spend out of their desk, working flexibly in different environments, the less chance they’ll burn out. Pay attention to the requests of your team to make for a productive office environment.
1 – Natural Materials
Many more companies will be embracing elements of nature this year in the design of their offices, as they attempt make their teams and clients feel more at ease in their workspaces. This is why wooden desks will be making an emphatic return, replacing their plastic predecessors. As you can see from our design of the Waypoint office on Curzon Street, when done correctly this gives a classy finish to any space.