8 Office Design Trends For 2024

Is your office ready for a 2024 upgrade?

The year 2024 will see some vibrant changes coming to the workplace scene with the traditional commercial office fit out undergoing a remarkable transformation. Business owners are prioritising innovation, collaboration, and employee well-being at the forefront of their office design. Below we explore the cutting-edge office design trends that are set to redefine workspaces and enhance the overall work experience in 2024.

Office Design Trend 1: Hybrid Workspaces

The pandemic reshaped our understanding of work, giving rise to the hybrid work model. In 2024, offices are embracing this paradigm shift by designing spaces that seamlessly accommodate both remote and in-person work. Flexible workstations, open-plan offices, hot desking options, and adaptable meeting rooms are becoming a big office design trend, allowing employees to choose the environment that best suits their tasks for the day.

Office Design Trend 2: Smart Offices

In the tech-driven era of 2024, smart offices are no longer a futuristic concept but a reality. Smart lighting, temperature control, the use of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and personalised workstations are just a few examples of how technology is being utilised to enhance employee comfort and energy efficiency. These innovations not only streamline daily tasks but also contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally conscious workspace.

Office Design Trend 3: Collaboration Hubs

The importance of collaboration in driving innovation has led to the rise of dedicated collaboration hubs within office spaces. These areas are designed to facilitate spontaneous interactions, brainstorming sessions, and team-building activities. Key features of these collaboration hubs are comfortable seating arrangements, interactive whiteboards, and state-of-the-art video conference room technology.

Office Design Trend 4: Bringing Nature Indoors

Living walls, indoor gardens, and ample natural light will become essential components of modern office design trends in 2024. Green design not only enhances aesthetic appeal but also contributes to improved air quality, reduced stress levels, and increased overall well-being. Companies are recognising the positive impact of connecting employees with nature, creating environments that inspire creativity and boost morale.

 

Office Design Trend 5: Agile Furniture

The one-size-fits-all approach to office furniture is giving way to agile and customisable solutions in 2024. Employees have diverse workstyles, and the office environment should reflect this diversity. Adjustable desks, modular furniture, and ergonomic seating options are becoming standard features in modern offices.

Office Design Trend 6: Inclusive Office Design for Accessibility & Diversity

The inclusive office design trend considers the diverse needs of all employees, including those with disabilities. Features such as accessible workstations, sensory-friendly spaces, and inclusive restroom facilities are gaining prominence. By prioritising accessibility and diversity, companies are creating environments that cater to the unique requirements of every individual, fostering a culture of equality and respect.

Office Design Trend 7: Office Well-being Zones

Employee well-being is a top priority in 2024, and office spaces are being designed to support both physical and mental health. Well-being zones, equipped with relaxation pods, meditation rooms, and fitness areas, provide employees with spaces to recharge and de-stress. The recognition of the interconnectedness between well-being and productivity is prompting companies to invest in wellness initiatives, contributing to a healthier and more engaged workforce.

Office Design Trend 8: Sustainable Office Designs

As the world grapples with environmental challenges, sustainable design practices are gaining traction in office spaces. In 2024, companies are incorporating eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient systems, and waste-reduction strategies into their office designs. By prioritising sustainability, organisations not only reduce their ecological footprint but also contribute to a positive corporate image.

Trendy Office Design

The office design trends for 2024 reflect a holistic approach to creating workspaces that prioritise innovation, collaboration, and employee well-being. From the flexible dynamics of hybrid workspaces to the infusion of nature through biophilic design, and the integration of smart technologies, the modern office is a dynamic and responsive environment.

As companies recognise the importance of inclusive, agile, and sustainable design, the office of 2024 becomes a space that not only supports productivity but also enhances the overall quality of work life. By embracing these trends, organisations are poised to create workplaces that inspire creativity, foster connection, and promote the holistic well-being of their employees in the years to come.

If you’re looking for help with the refurbishment of your office from trendy designs to furniture solutions, you’ve come to the right place! Get in touch with us for more information.

The Top 10 Best Office Plants

Office plants have grown in popularity over the last few years and it’s easy to see why.

Plants not only enhance the visual appeal of a space but have also been shown to contribute positively to our well-being and overall work performance. That means that, if you’re planning a commercial fit out and want your staff to get the most out of your workplace, office plants are a must!

When it comes to choosing plants for the workplace, we know that it can be a tough decision. You’ll want something that not only compliments your office furniture and decor but also requires little up-keep so that you don’t have to tend to them too often.

To give you a helping hand, we’ve come up with a helpful list of the best plants for offices. All of these options are easy-to-maintain and will look wonderful with your office interior design.

So, without further ado. Let’s get stuck in!

1. Invest in a Striking Jade Plant for the Office

Not particularly skilled with gardening? In that case, the Jade Plant is an ideal inclusion for your office plant collection. Compared to most plants, this striking succulent requires little maintenance and is very easy to look after, so watering can be kept to a minimum. With thick, shiny and durable leaves, it also has a timeless look that will stand out in any modern workplace!

How to store: If you’re planning an office refurbishment or update, there’s a good chance that you’ll want to include plenty of lighting to brighten the space and minimise eye strain for workers.

Fortunately, the Jade plant can tolerate bright light with ease and even thrives at normal room temperature, so it will be very happy to be placed anywhere indoors.

This is why it takes the top spot for one of the best office plants!

2. Calm Your Office With a Peace Lily

When choosing plants for offices, we want options that reduce tension and stress in favour of a more relaxing atmosphere. Because, let’s face it, we all want peace in the workplace.

The Spathiphyllum, or as it’s otherwise known as ‘The Peace Lily’, is a stunning addition to bring some life to a workspace and help you to find your inner zen at your desk. With its attractive white flowers and calming effect, your staff will feel soothed and restored while carrying out their daily duties.

How to store:

The Peace Lily needs very little watering and only requires a shady corner to add some beauty to your office interior.

3. Remove Toxins From Your Workspace With a Snake Plant

Employees grappling with symptoms like headaches, dry, sore eyes, and other discomforts often linked to Sick Building Syndrome highlight the urgency of addressing air quality in offices. Recognised by NASA as one of the most effective toxin-removing plants globally, the Snake Plant stands out for its capability to eliminate approximately 107 different air pollutants. This remarkable quality is among the reasons why we favour this plant for offices. By strategically placing just two Snake Plants in a 100 sq ft office space, you can effectively cleanse the air of any pollutants present.

How to store: The snake plant is easy to care for, tough, and lasts a long time. Normally, it only requires watering every two weeks and can survive in a range of light conditions.

4. Discover the Versatility of Dracaena Janet Craig

Named after a nurseryman’s daughter, the Dracaena Janet Craig is a great office plant solution, as it’s hardy enough to do well in places with low light or in a closed space. And it certainly can make a big impact wherever it’s placed.

Its large leaves stand proud in any area and can improve the level of greenery in a space immensely. Like the Snake Plant, the Dracaena Janet Craig is also able to purify the air, so is a great addition to a busy office space.

How to store: Janet Craig is able to handle a range of lighting conditions however, try to avoid placing in direct sunlight as this can cause bleaching of the leaves.

5. Add Some Aglaonema Maria Office Plants

Aglaonema Maria is among our preferred office plants, and we often incorporate it in office installations to make a significant impression (view our case studies to see real-life examples).

Its resilience and ability to thrive in lower light make it ideal for workplaces. The distinctive patterned leaves not only complement various office interiors but also add a touch of style and sophistication without the maintenance demands of more delicate plants.

How to store: These plants thrive in a well-lit environment so if you have plenty of windows, this is a great choice for you!

6.  Go for a No-Fuss Zanzibar Gem

The Zanzibar Gem or “ZZ” plant is one of the best choices for biophilic design if you prefer your office plants simple and super low-maintenance. With waxy green leaves and a tall appearance, it will look beautiful in the corner of any office space and can work wonders as a divider in more open-plan office layouts.

What people love about the “ZZ” is that it is almost impossible to kill, so even the least plant savvy members of your team should be able to keep this plant companion alive!

How to store: The “ZZ” plant will thrive in normal office temperatures and is best positioned away from sunlight, in a shady spot.

 

7. Keep a Kentia Palm in Your Office Plant Collection

If you’re going to add some greenery to your workspace, the Kentia Palm is another fantastic choice. With its graceful, arching fronds and feathery, dark green foliage, the Kentia Palm exudes a timeless charm, making it a perfect fit for various office aesthetics.

This plant not only adds a touch of tropical allure to your workspace but is also celebrated for its low-maintenance nature. So, if you’re looking for a plant that requires minimal attention and still manages to thrive, the Kentia Palm might be your ideal choice.

One of the key features of the Kentia Palm is its resilience. It’s an excellent option for busy offices or for individuals who want to enjoy the benefits of having a plant without the stress of constant maintenance.

How to store: Place in indirect light, as the Kentia Palm prefers filtered or low-light conditions. It can thrive in typical office temperatures and should be kept away from direct sunlight.

 

8. Add Character to Your Workspace With a Spider Plant

With its arching, slender leaves, featuring a distinctive stripe pattern, the Spider plant can bring a playful element to the office and is yet another species with air-purifying benefits.

What makes the Spider Plant particularly appealing is its ability to produce offshoots, known as “pups,” which dangle gracefully from the main plant. This not only adds a unique visual element but also provides the opportunity to propagate new plants effortlessly. As a result, your office can have a continuous supply of these charming green companions!

How to store: This plant grows best when placed in indirect sunlight, although it can tolerate lower light conditions. It can also withstand a wide range of temperatures which is helpful if your staff often battle over the office air conditioning.

 

9. Add an Elegant Pothos Plant

The Pothos Plant (Epipremnum aureum), also known as Devil’s Ivy, is a classic and versatile choice for office greenery. Its heart-shaped, cascading leaves add a touch of elegance to any setting, making it a popular selection for both novice and experienced plant enthusiasts alike.

Renowned for its resilience and adaptability, the Pothos thrives in a variety of light conditions, from low to bright, indirect light. This makes it an ideal choice for offices with different lighting setups. It’s also another plant celebrated for its air-purifying qualities, so it will enhance the overall quality of your indoor environment.

How to store: This low-maintenance plant is forgiving of occasional neglect, making it an excellent addition to any office space. It’s best stored at normal office temperature and requires watering every one to two weeks.

10. Enliven Your Office With the Vibrant Rubber Plant

Last on our list of the best plants for offices is the Rubber Plant. Also known as Ficus elastic, it is known for its vibrant, glossy leaves and air-purifying capabilities.

The rubber plant is celebrated for its ability to emit moisture and elevate indoor humidity levels. This subsequently lessens the risk of respiratory allergies, inflammation, and asthma. What’s more, the plant’s leaves can capture dust and pollen, contributing to a decrease in indoor allergens.

How to store: For optimal growth, the Rubber Tree requires a minimum of six to eight hours of daily light exposure. While it can tolerate lower light conditions intermittently, it thrives best when provided with medium to bright light, preferably in the form of bright indirect sunlight.

 

Embrace Biophilic Office Design

Has our office plant blog got you feeling inspired?

If you’d like your very own green office space and need a helping hand with the design and decor, we’d love to help you out.

As experienced office fit out and design specialists, we’ve created countless plant-focused office spaces which help to keep employees happy and productive. We also have dedicated specialists on the team who know all about biophilic interiors, so they can support you in finding the best plant solutions for your business.

If you’d like to find out more about green design or want to get a quote, get in touch today.

Types of Office Partitions and Their Benefits

Office partitions are a fantastic addition to modern work environments, offering practical solutions for space division, privacy, and functionality. Whether we’re taking on a refurbishment project or planning a commercial fit-out, we love using these handy dividers to break up our office designs!

In this article, we’ll be exploring a range of partition types and diving into some of their benefits.

So, without further ado, let’s get stuck in…

What are Office Partitions?

An office partition is a physical divider or wall-like structure used within office spaces to segment areas, create privacy, and organise the workspace. These partitions come in a range of different styles, from large walls and suspended panels to simple screens and dividers. By separating different sections of an office, you get more flexibility and customisation of the overall office layout.

Types of Office Partitions

Now that you know what office partitions are, let’s run through some of the most popular choices.

Glass Office Partitions for a Collaborative Feel

Glass partitions promote an open atmosphere while providing privacy. They allow natural light to brighten spaces and encourage collaboration by fostering visual connectivity between teams.

Demountable Partitions for Flexibility

Highly flexible and customisable, demountable partitions allow easy adjustments to office layouts without major disruptions. They’re movable and adaptable, making them suitable for dynamic work environments.

 

Solid Partitions for Enhanced Privacy

Solid partitions offer enhanced confidentiality and reduce noise disruptions, creating focused work areas for productivity and privacy during meetings.

Half-Height Partitions to Maintain Openness

Balancing openness and personal space, half-height partitions encourage interaction while maintaining a degree of separation, suitable for collaborative work settings.

Materials and Design Options

Office partitions come in various materials such as glass, wood, metal, and fabric. They can be carefully customised to align with your office aesthetics which helps you to maintain your brand image while ensuring functionality.

In more recent years, suspended sound-dampening panels have grown in popularity and do a fantastic job of reducing unwanted noise from areas such as kitchens, workstations and break-out spaces. In some cases, they can even provide a more budget-friendly alternative to office pods, especially when you need a space to be quieter but not completely silent.

Why are Office Partitions Essential for Modern Day Working?

Office partitions serve several purposes:

Space Division

Partitions divide a large office area into smaller sections, creating distinct environments for different functions like individual workstations, meeting rooms, collaborative areas, or private offices. In open-plan layouts, this is important because it helps to give each space a sense of purpose.

Privacy

Partitions offer a level of privacy within an open office layout by creating separate areas for employees or specific activities. This helps in maintaining confidentiality during meetings or focused work sessions.

Noise Reduction

As we mentioned above, some partitions are designed to minimise sound transmission with acoustic materials. This reduces distractions and enhances concentration within different sections of the office.

Aesthetics

Apart from their functional aspects, office partitions also contribute to the overall aesthetic appeal of the workspace. They can be designed in various materials, finishes, and styles to align with the office’s design theme or corporate identity.

Need some inspiration? Take a look at this fantastic leaf pattern that we used in our Cowi Office Fit Out.

Further Benefits of Office Partitions

As you can see, office partitions play a crucial role in optimising your office’s layout, ensuring efficient space utilisation, and contributing to a productive work environment for employees.

However, the benefits don’t stop at noise reduction and enhanced privacy! Here are a few more ways in which office partitions can help your space to shine:

Stand Out, Be Different

Being different is what makes you unique, and it will help you stand out in a crowded market.

This doesn’t necessarily mean flashy colours and ultra-modern furniture. Instead, it can represent the essence of your company—an embodiment of your culture and mission. Whether you lean towards minimalism, maximalism, modernity, or tradition, the right office divider can help to inject some personality into your workspace.

Attracting Your Dream Customers and Employees

Creating a lasting impression matters. A workspace that resonates with top-talent and dream customers will help attract them. According to a study by Ipsos, 76% of individuals aged 18 to 34 feel very strongly towards office design and aesthetics impacting their view of a company.

Talent Retention

And it’s not just about enticing new clients or staff to your business…

A well-designed layout can help with employee retention too.

Ever thought about how your office design impacts people psychologically? Research indicates that work environments wield a direct psychological influence on individuals.

Leveraging this impact positively can elevate the overall work experience for everyone in your workplace, and help to retain your top-talent.

The Future of Office Partitions

The future of office partitions is poised to witness dynamic shifts, influenced by evolving trends in ergonomics, technology, and functionality.

Ergonomics

Future office partitions are anticipated to prioritise ergonomic designs aimed at enhancing employee comfort and well-being.

Adjustable partition heights, adaptable layouts, and ergonomic features integrated into partition systems will cater to individual ergonomic needs, promoting a healthier and more comfortable workspace. Partitions will be designed with flexibility in mind, allowing employees to personalise their workspace for optimal comfort and productivity.

Technology Integration

The integration of advanced technology within office partitions will continue to revolutionise how these dividers function.

Smart partitions equipped with digital interfaces, integrated connectivity, and interactive elements will facilitate seamless communication and collaboration. These partitions might incorporate features such as digital screens for presentations, interactive displays, or integrated charging ports, fostering a tech-savvy and efficient work environment.

In Need of an Office Fit Out?

Are you a corporate business, healthcare facility, educational institution or hospitality company? We’d love to hear from you!

As office fit out and design specialists, we provide partitions covering a wide variety of applications, from private offices, meeting rooms, collaborative spaces, and breakout areas, meeting the diverse needs of many businesses. These can be integrated into your wider office design to create a more productive and inspiring work environment.

Our Specialty

Considering upgrading your office layout with contemporary office partitions? Contact us to start a conversation about the best partition solutions for your business.

With expertise in office fit-outs, refurbishment, office design and so much more, our services offer a commitment to quality, ensuring a personal touch for every project.

Kastner Lab Has Rebranded!

We are pleased to announce that we have launched a rebrand for Kastner Lab.

This exciting new concept will bring Kastner in line with McFeggan Brown‘s concepts and values of consistency and trust. Whilst you may not see any change on the Kastner website as yet, rest assured, we are working on launching a new, combined, website by the end of the year/early January.

 

Our new website will:

Combine information and services on both office and laboratory fit-outs.

Be a user-friendly interface that allows easy access to both McFeggan Brown and KastnerLab content without confusion.

Have a vast display of previous projects from both entities, demonstrating our expertise in office and laboratory fit-outs.

Reflect the new merged identity, incorporating elements from McFeggan Brown and KastnerLab to establish a cohesive brand image.

Provide detailed information about services, past projects, team members, and any other relevant details for potential clients or partners.

Offer easy and simple ways for our potential clients to get in touch, whether through contact forms, direct emails, or other communication channels.

 

In the meanwhile, get in touch with us today if you have a requirement for an office or laboratory fit out.