Modern office trends have gone through many transformations over the years. From the Bauhaus movement in the 1920s to the resurgence of mid-century modern design in recent years, we know there are many interpretations of contemporary office design.

Today, the number one modern office design trend might be the made-to-order model. This office design focuses on creating custom spaces that showcase the company's philosophy and align with the personality of employees.

Along with the made-to-order model, a few other modern office design trends are likely to emerge at the forefront of office design.

Below you will find several modern office design trends that are sure to make your office project feel open, unique,and poised for productivity.

Modern office trend — Modern Elite Planters in the Kivvit office— Chicago, IL

Custom Spaces

The primary trend in modern office design centers around work style. These custom-designed spaces reflect the nature of the business and the attitude of the workers who make it thrive.

One can see how this is especially true of creative companies that encourage play in their office designs to stimulate ideas and collaboration. Click here to see shows how imagination drives the design of companies like Denmark LEGO, Kickstarter, and Viacom.

Kickstarter incorporated a theater for its filmmakers to facilitate on-screen work. And Viacom even designed a wellness center to address the mental health needs of its employees.

Many companies, from tech start-ups to those in the finance sector, have consulted with designers and architects on ways to create truly one-of-a-kind spaces that serve their unique company needs.

Lounge Areas

Modern Elite Planters in a meeting area —Calgary, AB — *Modern Elite Planters* *in a meeting area —Calgary, AB*

Taking employee comfort one step further, designers of modern offices are creating common areas and meeting spaces with flexible, movable furniture.

Furniture design enables comfortable and relaxed interaction as an alternative to the formal conference room.
These creative spaces encourage gathering in small groups and working with wireless technology away from the constraints of a desk.

To create this type of space in your office, consider a mix of clean, modern chairs and sofas or benches to encourage groups of different sizes to gather for casual discussion.

Biophilic Design

A vital element in modern office design trends is biophilic design.

Recognizing that humans seek to connect with nature and that modern interior design should connect those in the workplace with nature, biophilic design positively impacts the well-being of those in the workplace.

In biophilic design, plants are incorporated as a design element. For example:

Living walls and plant sculptures
Nature-based wall dividers using bamboo
Tall custom planters with clean lines and low-allergen plants break up areas while promoting employee health and well-being

When space allows, many modern architects are using biophilic design to encourage employees to take short breaks on terraces or patio spaces or to have meetings outside the walls of the office.

…And other green ideas

Many architects and designers have been incorporating sustainable materials for years. But today’s modern offices are now catching up.

Modern office design seeks to create a sustainable difference. Because plenty of data proves the significant importance of incorporating greenery into the workplace, many office design budgets are now accommodating the incorporation of:

Renewable energy sources
Air purification systems
Carbon offsets

Elements of Home Design in the Workplace

*Modern Elite* *Planters* *in the Kivvit office Chicago, IL*

Because comfort can encourage productivity, modern office design trends are bringing the cozier elements of home design into the workspace by incorporating:

Gathering spaces with couches and footrests
Yoga facilities
Patios for outdoor breaks
Soft textures
Quiet spaces designed more like a home office than a cubicle
Kitchens rather than break rooms

Ergonomics and Health

Health and ergonomic considerations have become pivotal in shaping design decisions.

As more information emerges about how our surroundings impact physical well-being, designers are creating spaces and products that support human physiology. Design that considers health and ergonomic principles not only enhances user experience but also demonstrates a commitment to blending design, well-being, and sustainability.

Ergonomically Designed Furniture

Ergonomically designed furniture considers both form and function and prioritizes user well-being — especially in today’s world where people are more sedentary.

Key principles for ergonomically designed seating include:

Lumbar support adjusts to fit the user's unique spine curvature and can prevent back pain.
Adjustability for height, seat depth, backrest, etc. helps to ensure proper alignment for the user.

As research continues to prove the positive health impacts of incorporating greenery into indoor design, modern designs are integrating commercial planters — not only for aesthetic benefits but also to elevate indoor air quality and overall health of the users.

Lighting Considerations

Thoughtfully planned lighting is critical in modern design to minimize fatigue and eye strain. Well-lit spaces positively impact mood and cognitive performance.

To create a well-lit design scheme that aligns with the user’s natural circadian rhythms, consider the following:

Color temperature
Intensity
Placement
Positioning of the computer monitor to minimize glare

Mental Health Spaces

An evolving modern design trend is the intentional integration of mental health spaces.

As the dialogue surrounding the importance of mental health gains momentum, one modern commercial design trend is prioritizing the link between mental well-being and the spaces in which users are spending their time.

By incorporating areas dedicated to tranquility and mindfulness, these spaces often include calming colors, comfortable furniture, ambient lighting, and biophilic design.

Hiding the Wires

Technology is both a blessing and a curse in today’s workplace, and keeping cords tidy is a persistent problem in modern office design.

In large open office designs, every bit of clutter creates disorganization. Office design must consider how cords will be organized and hidden from view.

Modern furniture designers have developed clever methods of concealing cords while still allowing easy access to them. The decrease of the clutter created from wires helps office spaces appear more organized and professional, which contributes to a greater sense of focus.

Modern Elite Planters in the Monterey County Government Center at Shilling Place — Monterey County, CA — *Modern Elite Planters* *in the Monterey County Government Center at Shilling Place — Monterey County, CA*

Digital and Physical Blend

No trend analysis would be complete without considering new technology.

New smart and connected devices are emerging every day and enabling more responsive and adaptable design solutions.

As technology continues to advance, modern design will no doubt seamlessly integrate these elements to create innovative design plans that elevate productivity and engagement by blending aesthetics and functionality in a very modern way, including:

Smart desks allow employees to personalize the desk height with just one touch of a button.
Automated climate and lighting controlsuse sensors to efficiently create comfortable conditions.
Occupancy sensors and other analytic devices can monitor employee activities and gather data to uncover a host of insights about productivity improvement strategies.

Color

Today’s modern office is a far stretch from traditional beige walls and industrial grey carpeting.

Employers and designers recognize that color encourages happiness, productivity, and creativity. From pops of color on the walls to vibrant planter choices, color is showing up everywhere.

Modern office design follows trends in the color forecasts from such organizations as Pantone, which predicts a wide palette of colors and themes that will be popular in design in the coming year.

A good tip is to identify color combinations that might be on the cusp of the current trend but are also logical and aligned with the building’s architecture. This ensures a look that will be both on-trend and timeless.

Texture

Varied materials add interest, create a more welcoming workspace, and positively impact wellness and productivity.

Incorporating a variety of textures enables a space that is otherwise more streamlined and clean to have a sense of playful creativity and feel more inviting. We recommend introducing texture into office design by including:

Faux sheepskin throws
Fabric wall panels
Woven rugs
Hanging baskets for plants

Each element provides a sense of home and a touch of comfort that slick modern office design can often lack.

Office Community Tables

Similar to the community table we see trending in restaurants, office designers are now incorporating community tables into collaborative working spaces.

More casual than a conference room and more collaborative than individual workstations, large centralized tables allow for the gathering of ideas, as well as people.

In some offices, community tables might replace single desks altogether. In others, the community table might act as a central gathering point for a team to spread out and brainstorm creative and innovative solutions.

Flexible Office Spaces

Flexibility is a significant factor in modern office design trends, as the permanent layout is rapidly losing favor.

Non-permanent arrangements enable teams to:

Create change over time to suit the evolving needs of the workplace.
Move about the office as necessary instead of being stuck in one spot all day.

Open Office vs. Office Pods

A significant trend in office design is taking open office plans and creating independent, self-contained enclosures.

Led by tech companies in the 90s and early 2000s, the open-office plan aimed to get away from closed doors and promote collaboration, creativity, and communication by fostering spontaneous interactions. However, all that openness often leads to distractions that can detract from focus and productivity. In fact, one study found that 90% of employees working in open offices experience increased stress levels

Incorporating pods into office design enables employees to optimize productivity and balance collaboration with the need for quiet, focus, and privacy.

Designers are creating pods using innovative solutions like commercial planters to minimize distraction and allow for better concentration.

Technology Integration

As flexibility in office design becomes more common, designers must consider options for technology to easily move with the employee.

Many offices are opting for laptops over desktops, wireless charging centers, additional plug-ins in the flooring, and video conferencing technology. All of these technologies ensure that their employees can efficiently work wherever they choose in the open office setting.

Inclusion and Accessibility

Inclusion and accessibility continues to be a high priority in modern office design.

Today’s companies recognize the importance of creating spaces that are adaptable and accessible for every current or future employee or visitor.

Businesses can create an inclusive environment by adding adjustable desks, adaptive chairs, moveable furniture, quiet focus work areas, and assistive devices to their office space.

It is equally essential to ensure that the overall building layout and design are easily accessible to all people.

Third Spaces

Modern Elite Modular Planter and PurePots Planters on the 15th Floor Terrace of the Rockefeller Center — New York, NY — *Modern Elite Modular Planter* *and* *PurePots Planters* *on the 15th Floor Terrace of the Rockefeller Center — New York, NY*

Utilizing the concept of “third spaces” is another big trend we see in modern office design.

The “third spaces” trend originally referred to having a “third space” to work. The first two spaces are the office desk or home, and the third space refers to a place like a coffee shop or library.

Modern designers are creating “third spaces” by transforming dead space into usable working space.

This trend first came on strong in 2018, and we don’t see it going anywhere soon. Utilizing formally dead space, not only has economic benefits, but researchers have also found that the implementation of third spaces also increases employees’ well-being and productivity.

If you have a large open space, but don’t have the budget for building permanent structures, you can create “third spaces” by using planters as dividers. Using planters as dividers can partition out large areas and create new workspaces for employees to collaborate.

For helpful advice on how to implement these trends into your office, check out our piece, “How to Design Modern Office Spaces.