Functional, utilitarian office interiors are very much out these days. Where once many companies believed that the average workplace had little or no need of interior design trends, they now increasingly recognise that employees benefit most from a pleasant and stimulating environment. Based on recent designs and fashions, a number of office interior design trends are expected to dominate new build and refurbishment projects in 2015.

Eco Offices
One trend that has been prominent through 2014 has been a growing appetite for “environmentally aware” workplaces. In many people’s minds, this is a trend that will continue to grow stronger in 2015. This trend works both in the sense that office refits are tending to be more and more environmentally friendly, and through the fact that more and more environmental influences are being incorporated into office interior designs. Workplaces are increasingly looking for ways to make their staff feel connected to the outdoors, and they are achieving this through tactics such as interior water features, natural colour schemes such as green and brown, and decorative patterns that draw on natural influences. This trend is also creating a growing taste for large windows, which provide plenty of natural light while offering views of genuine outdoor spaces.

Minimalism
Many office interiors are trying to simplify their looks, recognising that simple, uncluttered designs are both more relaxing and less distracting. This trend is proceeding in tandem with advances in technology that are helping to make workstations less cluttered, such as increasing wireless connectivity and the growing role of small devices like tablets and smartphones. The march of technology will certainly continue through 2015, and the more general trend for streamlined workspaces with minimal clutter, few items of furniture and a minimalist design is also likely to stay strong. This way, they will hope to not only minimise distractions but provide employees with a neat, modern and generally pleasant working environment. Often, this does involve using some purely decorative features within the office, or choosing decorative versions of practical features such as light fittings, but these will be kept to a select few.

Productivity
Open plan workspaces are simple, easy to build, but not the best solution when it comes to productivity. More and more offices are looking for ways to gear their designs towards optimum output from their workforce, and this is impacting on office interior trends in several key ways. A number of solutions are being employed to help employees remain focussed and free from distractions while also minimising stress, such as booths, acoustic pods and noise-cancellation screens. In 2015, more and more offices are likely to incorporate these and similar measures in order to help individual employees separate themselves from the general bustle of the workplace. This trend is often tied to the growing taste for minimalism, as reducing distractions is a valuable tool in boosting productivity in the workplace.

For all interior fit out enquiries, please contact In Out Solutions.