In 2017, we expect the movement for natural lighting in offices to trend up.
Happy new year from all of us here at American Design Associates! 2016 was a great year in the realm of office design and the development of office furniture. We saw a drive towards more solutions focused on the individual needs of employees and the principles of collaboration to help boost the overall productivity of the company. Which trends are we expecting to really take off in 2017?
Flexible Layouts
Today’s busy work environment, with technology always changing and adapting, requires an office space that is highly adaptable to the tasks at hand. Flexible office layouts will be an essential element of office design in 2017. Companies should be looking at designing special rooms equipped with office furniture that can serve many different functions to help your workforce thrive.
Future-Proof Design
Flexible layouts will also assist in future-proofing your office design and we expect this trend to continue in 2017. Modular workbenches, work pods, collaborative furniture, and acoustic elements are examples of furniture choices that support a high-functioning workspace. We also see soft wiring techniques taking off in the coming year. Soft wiring is a simple installation method for power and data connections that increases safety as well as easily allowing rewiring to adapt to changes in the future.
Integrated Technology
Office furniture with built-in power adapters and multimedia capabilities have been embraced by forward-thinking managers in the past and it should continue to trend upward this year. Wireless charging of devices should become more common, especially if this feature is integrated into the next Apple iPhone, and this should feature prominently in future office furniture design.
Productivity and Well-Being
Office designers have also been thinking about employee productivity and well-being recently. The result of this kind of thinking is a positive impact on the health, happiness, and ultimately productivity of employees, leading to less turnover and decreased employee costs. Adjustable height desks, as well as ergonomic chairs, are prime examples of this philosophy.
Natural Elements
Office managers are already seeing the benefits of using more natural light in design with their employees’ productivity and sense of well-being. Bringing more of the outdoors inside is another key office design trend we expect to grow in the coming year.
Ready to Transform Your Office Design with Some New Furniture?
American Design Associates, Inc. is a furniture dealer and design firm serving clients throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. We strive to ensure that every customer ends up with the office design and furniture to help their business run for years to come. We have the expertise and resources to help you get your move off to a great stress-free start. Visit us online to see what we can do for you, or give us a call at (410) 823-5500. To see examples of our work and get more advice on furnishing your office space, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Google+.